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[Query Concerning Travel and Transportation Expense Entitlement]

B-208996 Apr 12, 1983
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Highlights

GAO was asked to issue an advance decision concerning the travel and transportation expense entitlement of an employee assigned to an institution of higher education under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) by orders issued in contemplation of a permanent change of station. The employee and his employing agency initially intended that he would relocate his residence and change his permanent duty station. However, that intent was not clearly reflected by the language of the travel order he was issued. The employee did not relocate his residence to the new duty station, but commuted on a weekly basis and submitted a travel voucher seeking reimbursement for transportation expenses. He did not claim per diem while at his new duty station. The agency declined to certify the voucher for payment because the employee's travel orders were never amended to authorize payment of commuting expenses. GAO has held that, in addition to per diem at an IPA location, an employee who commutes to his permanent duty station for nonworkdays may be reimbursed travel expenses and per diem en route provided those payments do not exceed the per diem he would have received if he had remained at the IPA location over those nonworkdays. Because there was an inconsistency on the face of the travel orders which could be construed as authorizing either or both a permanent change of station and temporary duty entitlements, GAO would not object to the employee's election to receive temporary duty related transportation and travel expenses, rather than change-of-station allowances. Accordingly, the claimant may be allowed per diem while at his temporary duty station and may be reimbursed the claimed transportation expenses provided they meet the outlined conditions.

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