Skip to main content

B-171677, OCT 22, 1974

B-171677 Oct 22, 1974
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

NO OBJECTION IS INTERPOSED TO RECOMMEND REVISION IN VA REGULATIONS ALLOWING TRANSPORTATION OF SUCH GOODS AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE PROVIDED REQUIREMENT BE INCLUDED THAT SHIPMENT BE SUPPORTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE CERTIFICATION THAT SHIPMENT IS NECESSARY IN LIEU OF GOVERNMENT'S PURCHASE OF SIMILAR ITEMS. ETC.: THIS ACTION IS A REQUEST FOR AN ADVANCE DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR. THE AUTHORITY TO RENDER DECISIONS IS LIMITED TO MATTERS PRESENTED BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES. TO CLAIMANTS WHO HAVE FILED MONETARY CLAIMS WITH OUR OFFICE. SINCE THE MATTER IS OF AN URGENT NATURE WE ARE RENDERING A DECISION AS IF IT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED BY THE HEAD OF THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION. IN THAT DECISION IT WAS STATED THAT: "WE WOULD OFFER NO OBJECTION TO A REGULATION ALONG THE LINE PROPOSED.

View Decision

B-171677, OCT 22, 1974

SINCE WEIGHT OF ACTUAL HOUSEHOLD GOODS MAY PRECLUDE SHIPMENT OF PERSONALLY OWNED BOOKS, PAPERS, AND EQUIPMENT THAT MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROPER PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEE'S DUTIES AT NEW DUTY STATION, REQUIRING SUCH BOOKS, ETC. TO BE OBTAINED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, NO OBJECTION IS INTERPOSED TO RECOMMEND REVISION IN VA REGULATIONS ALLOWING TRANSPORTATION OF SUCH GOODS AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE PROVIDED REQUIREMENT BE INCLUDED THAT SHIPMENT BE SUPPORTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE CERTIFICATION THAT SHIPMENT IS NECESSARY IN LIEU OF GOVERNMENT'S PURCHASE OF SIMILAR ITEMS. SUCH SHIPMENT COSTS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

TRANSPORTATION - HOUSEHOLD GOODS - PROFESSIONAL BOOKS, ETC.:

THIS ACTION IS A REQUEST FOR AN ADVANCE DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR, SUPPLY SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, CONCERNING A PROPOSED REVISION OF THE REGULATIONS OF THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE OF PERSONALLY OWNED PROFESSIONAL BOOKS, PAPERS, AND EQUIPMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE AS A SEPARATE WEIGHT ALLOWANCE IN ADDITION TO THE MAXIMUM SHIPMENT OF HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS.

THE AUTHORITY TO RENDER DECISIONS IS LIMITED TO MATTERS PRESENTED BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, DISBURSING AND CERTIFYING OFFICERS, AND TO CLAIMANTS WHO HAVE FILED MONETARY CLAIMS WITH OUR OFFICE. SEE 31 U.S.C. SEC. 74 AND 82D. HOWEVER, SINCE THE MATTER IS OF AN URGENT NATURE WE ARE RENDERING A DECISION AS IF IT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED BY THE HEAD OF THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE SUPPLY SERVICE REFERS TO DECISION OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL, B-171677, DATED MAY 13, 1971, IN RESPONSE TO AN IDENTICAL QUESTION POSED BY THE ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY WITH REGARD TO REVISION OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, VOLUME 2. IN THAT DECISION IT WAS STATED THAT:

"WE WOULD OFFER NO OBJECTION TO A REGULATION ALONG THE LINE PROPOSED, PROVIDED THERE BE INCLUDED THEREIN A REQUIREMENT THAT ANY SHIPMENT OF SUCH BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT BE SUPPORTED BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE CERTIFICATION THAT SHIPMENT IS NECESSARY IN LIEU OF PURCHASE OF SIMILAR ITEMS REQUIRED FOR THE EMPLOYEE'S OFFICIAL USE. THE COST OF SUCH A SHIPMENT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS AN APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE."

THE DIRECTOR, SUPPLY SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, WISHES TO KNOW WHETHER THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MAY PUBLISH A SIMILAR REGULATION. WE WOULD NOT OBJECT TO PUBLICATION OF SUCH A REGULATION BY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDED THAT THE REGULATION IS CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN B-171677, SUPRA. ..END :

GAO Contacts

Office of Public Affairs