Claim for Relocation Expenses

A Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) employee, who was working overseas, applied for a lower grade position with DLA in the United States. He desired to relocate to be in an area where he owned a home and in which he intended to retire. He was also concerned that his overseas position might be eliminated because of insufficient workload. Upon learning that he had been selected for the new position, the employee requested to be released from a transportation agreement that he had entered into with his employing activity. This request was denied, and he was informed that, if he chose to resign his position, no funds would be available to pay for his return to the United States. A request for relocation expenses was also denied by his new employing activity. Despite these denials, the employee accepted the position and traveled to the United States at his own expense. A renewed request for relocation expenses was forwarded to GAO. Reimbursement of travel and relocation expenses upon an employee's change of station is conditioned upon a determination by the agency concerned that the transfer is in the interest of the Government and is not primarily for the convenience or benefit of the employee, or at his request. GAO will not overturn an agency's determination on such matters unless it is arbitrary or capricious or clearly erroneous. Since the record clearly showed that the employee initiated and accepted the transfer for personal reasons, GAO agreed with the determination of the agency. Accordingly, the claimed expenses were not allowable.