[Claim for Reimbursement for Real Estate Expenses Incurred in Anticipation of Transfer]

The Veterans Administration (VA) requested a decision concerning a VA medical center employee's entitlement to reimbursement for real estate expenses incurred when he anticipated a transfer to another State. When the employee was accepted for the new position, he placed his Pennsylvania residence up for sale in anticipation of receiving travel authorization. Concurrently, when a similar position became vacant at the VA medical center at which he had been working, the employee applied for it and was subsequently selected. The claimant contended that at that point he was committed to the sale of his residence and, when he decided to remain at his former duty station, he was required to purchase another residence. GAO stated that there is no authority under Federal Travel Regulations or GAO decisions which would permit an employee to be reimbursed for relocation expenses unless the transfer is authorized or approved and effected and further that an employee can not be assured that he will be reimbursed for relocation expenses incurred until he has received a travel order. In this case, the employee was not issued travel orders, the location of his duty station did not change, and the decision to remain at his former duty station was for personal reasons. Accordingly, there was no basis upon which to reimburse the employee for his real estate expenses.