[NOAA Employee's Claim for Reimbursement for Insurance Costs as Noncitizen]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requested a decision concerning an employee's claim for reimbursement for insurance on his household goods during overseas shipment. The employee contended that the requirement that federal employees bear the cost of insurance in excess of the minimum valuation rate did not apply to him, since: (1) he was not a citizen of the United States; and (2) at the time of his appointment, he was not a federal employee. GAO held that the employee was not entitled to reimbursement, since existing regulations: (1) provided that employees should bear the cost of excess insurance; and (2) did not recognize the distinction for noncitizens. Accordingly, the claim was denied.