[Request for Decision Concerning Reimbursement of Attorney's Fee]

GAO was requested to investigate whether a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) employee was entitled to reimbursement of an attorney's fee for the development and execution of a contract for the construction of a residence. The employee was transferred to Florida, and he entered into contracts for the purchase of a lot and the construction of a home. He claimed reimbursement for attorney's fees for settlement on the lot and for services rendered in connection with the construction contract. The attorney's fee for the closing on the lot was paid by NASA, but the expense for the fee concerning the construction contract was not paid because it was not comparable to those reimbursable in connection with the purchase of an existing residence. GAO held that, since the employee had already been reimbursed attorney fees for closing costs, he may not be reimbursed the second fee. GAO also noted that the employee was erroneously reimbursed a second recording fee on the residence. Accordingly, the attorney's fee in connection with the home construction should be disallowed and the additional recording fee should be recouped.