B-145324, JUNE. 16, 1964

B-145324, JUNE. 16, 1964

TO THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE:

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 6, 1964, THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF YOUR DEPARTMENT REFERS TO OUR DECISION OF OCTOBER 24, 1963. B-145324, IN WHICH WE GRANTED THE DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY TO DEVIATE FROM PRESCRIBED BILLING PROCEDURES TO PERMIT THE ISSUANCE OF SINGLE GOVERNMENT BILLS OF LADING FOR MULTIPLE INCOMING SHIPMENTS OF CARBON FILTERS FROM SAMPLING STATIONS, AND REQUESTS A SIMILAR EXEMPTION FOR RETURN SHIPMENTS OF THE EMPTY CONTAINERS.

OUR DECISION OF OCTOBER 24, 1963, AUTHORIZED THE DEPARTMENTAL REGIONAL OFFICE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, TO USE COMMERCIAL EXPRESS RECEIPTS UNDER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF CONVERTING THEM TO GOVERNMENT BILLS OF LADING, FOR MULTIPLE SHIPMENTS OF CARBON FILTERS RECEIVED VIA REA EXPRESS FROM POINTS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES BY ITS WATER SUPPLY AND POLLUTION CONTROL LABORATORY IN ATLANTA.

YOUR LETTER OF APRIL 6, 1964, STATES THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, WATER SUPPLY AND POLLUTION CONTROL LABORATORY, IN ATLANTA, IS ALSO REQUIRED TO MAKE RETURN SHIPMENTS OF EMPTY CARBON FILTER CONTAINERS ON INDIVIDUALLY ISSUED GOVERNMENT BILLS OF LADING, AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR INCOMING SHIPMENTS OF CARBON FILTERS.

IN VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED, THE DEPARTMENTAL REGIONAL OFFICE IN ATLANTA IS AUTHORIZED TO USE COMMERCIAL EXPRESS RECEIPTS, WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF CONVERTING THEM TO GOVERNMENT BILLS OF LADING, FOR MULTIPLE SHIPMENTS OF CARBON FILTER CONTAINERS FROM ITS WATER SUPPLY AND POLLUTION CONTROL LABORATORY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, TO POINTS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES VIA REA EXPRESS, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

1.THAT THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT EXECUTED AND FILED BY REA EXPRESS PURSUANT TO B-145324 OF OCTOBER 24, 1963, BE AMENDED BY INCLUDING A PROVISION FOR THE RETURN OF THE EMPTY FILTER CONTAINERS FROM ATLANTA TO THE SAMPLING STATIONS UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS PROVIDED FOR THE INCOMING SHIPMENTS OF CARBON FILTERS.

THE AMENDED LETTER OF AGREEMENT SHOULD BE EXECUTED AND FILED BY REA EXPRESS AND COPIES THEREOF TRANSMITTED TO THE TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION AND FOR APPROPRIATE FILING.

2. THAT THE CARRIER'S BILL FOR CHARGES BE SUBMITTED ON STANDARD FORM NO. 1113, PUBLIC VOUCHER FOR TRANSPORTATION CHARGES, SUPPORTED BY THE ORIGINAL COMMERCIAL EXPRESS RECEIPTS AND A SHOWING OF THE RECEIPT OF THE SHIPMENTS BY THE CONSIGNEE.

AS PREVIOUSLY INDICATED, IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL FOR OUR PURPOSES THAT A GOVERNMENT BILL OF LADING BE ISSUED AT THE END OF SUCH MONTH TO COVER THE EXPRESS RECEIPTS INVOLVED, ALTHOUGH THE DEPARTMENT MAY FIND IT USEFUL IN MAINTAINING ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS.