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B-177515, JUN 13, 1973, 52 COMP GEN 936

B-177515 Jun 13, 1973
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TRANSPORTATION - HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS - MILITARY PERSONNEL - "DO IT YOURSELF" MOVEMENT - BENEFITS ENTITLEMENT A MEMBER OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES WHO INCIDENT TO PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION ORDERS PARTICIPATES IN A "DO IT YOURSELF" PROGRAM AND MOVES HIS HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES USING A RENTAL TRUCK AND PACKING MATERIALS FURNISHED THROUGH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH A NATIONAL TRUCK RENTAL COMPANY AND HIRED ASSISTANCE TO LOAD AND UNLOAD THE GOODS IS NOT CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEEN AFFORDED "TRANSPORTATION IN KIND" AND CONSEQUENTLY HE IS ENTITLED TO A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE FOR HIS PERSONAL TRAVEL UNDER PARAGRAPH M4150-1. NOT TO PER DIEM WHICH IS PREDICATED ON THE DENIAL OF THE MILEAGE ALLOWANCE.

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B-177515, JUN 13, 1973, 52 COMP GEN 936

TRANSPORTATION - HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS - MILITARY PERSONNEL - "DO IT YOURSELF" MOVEMENT - BENEFITS ENTITLEMENT A MEMBER OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES WHO INCIDENT TO PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION ORDERS PARTICIPATES IN A "DO IT YOURSELF" PROGRAM AND MOVES HIS HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES USING A RENTAL TRUCK AND PACKING MATERIALS FURNISHED THROUGH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH A NATIONAL TRUCK RENTAL COMPANY AND HIRED ASSISTANCE TO LOAD AND UNLOAD THE GOODS IS NOT CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEEN AFFORDED "TRANSPORTATION IN KIND" AND CONSEQUENTLY HE IS ENTITLED TO A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE FOR HIS PERSONAL TRAVEL UNDER PARAGRAPH M4150-1, ITEM 1 OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS (JTR), BUT NOT TO PER DIEM WHICH IS PREDICATED ON THE DENIAL OF THE MILEAGE ALLOWANCE. A MOVEMENT UNDER TEMPORARY DUTY ORDERS ENTITLES THE MEMBER TO A MONETARY ALLOWANCE PURSUANT TO JTR M4203- 3A; A TRAVEL ALLOWANCE IS PAYABLE FOR DEPENDENTS RIDING IN THE RENTAL TRUCK; AND A REASONABLE REIMBURSEMENT MAY BE MADE FOR HIRED HELP IF SUPPORTED BY REQUIRED EVIDENCE.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, JUNE 13, 1973:

WE REFER FURTHER TO LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2, 1972, FROM THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS), FORWARDED HERE BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 1972, FROM THE PER DIEM, TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE COMMITTEE (CONTROL NO. 72-50), CONCERNING THE ENTITLEMENT TO TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES WHO PARTICIPATE IN A "DO IT YOURSELF" PROGRAM FOR THE MOVEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES.

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY INDICATES THAT SINCE THE USE OF A RENTAL TRUCK TO MOVE HOUSEHOLD GOODS IS GENERALLY LESS COSTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT THAN A GOVERNMENT-ARRANGED SHIPMENT BY A COMMERCIAL HOUSEHOLD GOODS CARRIER, THE NAVY HAS DEVELOPED A PROGRAM UNDER WHICH RENTAL TRUCKS AND PACKING MATERIAL ARE PROVIDED TO NAVY PERSONNEL WHO DESIRE TO MOVE THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLD GOODS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. IT IS STATED THAT THE RENTAL TRUCKS AND PACKING MATERIAL ARE PROVIDED THROUGH CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH NATIONAL TRUCK RENTAL COMPANIES.

UNDER THE CURRENT PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS (PARAGRAPH M8500) A MEMBER WHO PERSONALLY ARRANGES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS BY MEANS OF A RENTAL TRUCK MUST PROCURE THE TRUCK AND PACKING AIDS HIMSELF AND SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMIT A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

SINCE THE MEMBER IS REQUIRED TO DRIVE THE RENTAL TRUCK TO THE APPROPRIATE DESTINATION, THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ARE ASKED CONCERNING THE MEMBER'S ENTITLEMENT TO TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES:

1. IS A MEMBER WHO MOVES HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS UNDER THIS PROGRAM INCIDENT TO PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION ORDERS ENTITLED TO MILEAGE ALLOWANCE UNDER THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, PARAGRAPH M4150-1, ITEM 1, OR TO PER DIEM ALLOWANCES FOR RECEIVING "TRANSPORTATION IN KIND" (THE TRUCK IN WHICH HE DRIVES TO DESTINATION) UNDER JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, PARAGRAPH M4150-1, ITEM 2? IF THE MEMBER IS ENTITLED TO PER DIEM, IS SUCH PER DIEM BASED ON THE ACTUAL REQUIRED TRAVEL TIME OR ON A CONSTRUCTIVE BASIS OVER A USUALLY TRAVELED ROUTE BY AIR OR SURFACE COMMON CARRIER?

2. THE QUESTION OF ENTITLEMENT ON PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION IS FURTHER COMPLICATED IF THE PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION INVOLVES THE MEMBER'S SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE AND HE HAS TRAVEL ENTITLEMENT TO HIS HOME OF RECORD OR PLACE FROM WHICH ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, WHICHEVER HE ELECTS, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH M4157-1A OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS. THIS PARAGRAPH PROVIDES, IN PART, THAT THE MEMBER IS ENTITLED TO MILEAGE ALLOWANCE AT THE TIME OF SEPARATION WITHOUT REGARD TO THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF TRAVEL. IF IT IS HELD IN ANSWER TO PARAGRAPH 1 THAT A MEMBER IS NOT ENTITLED TO A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE, IS SUCH DECISION APPLICABLE TO A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION INVOLVING SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE? IF IT IS, FURTHER QUESTIONS ARISE REGARDING THE MEMBER'S ENTITLEMENT WHEN THE DISTANCE HOUSEHOLD GOODS ARE MOVED DIFFERS FROM THAT BETWEEN PERMANENT DUTY STATION AND THE PLACE ELECTED FOR TRAVEL ENTITLEMENT:

A. WHEN A LESSER DISTANCE IS INVOLVED, IS EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING APPLICABLE:

(1) REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH M4154 OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, OR

(2) MILEAGE ALLOWANCE FOR THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LOCATION TO WHICH HOUSEHOLD GOODS ARE MOVED AND THE PLACE ELECTED FOR TRAVEL ENTITLEMENT, PROVIDING SUCH PAYMENT DOES NOT EXCEED MILEAGE ALLOWANCE TO PLACE OF ELECTION?

B. WHEN A GREATER DISTANCE IS INVOLVED, WILL THE MEMBER BE REQUIRED TO PAY, IN ADDITION TO EXCESS COST FOR THE RENTAL TRUCK, THE AMOUNT BY WHICH TRANSPORTATION COST PLUS PER DIEM INVOLVED IN THE ACTUAL TRANSPORTATION OF HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS EXCEEDS A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE TO THE PLACE ELECTED FOR TRAVEL ENTITLEMENT? IF SO, WHAT COST ELEMENTS, IN ADDITION TO THE CHARGE FOR THE RENTAL TRUCK MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPUTATION OF TRANSPORTATION COST?

3. IS A MEMBER WHO MOVES HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS UNDER HE NAVY'S PROGRAM INCIDENT TO TEMPORARY DUTY ORDERS ENTITLED TO PER DIEM ALLOWANCES OR TO MONETARY ALLOWANCES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, PARAGRAPH M4203?

ADDITIONALLY, THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY REFERS TO CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A MEMBER'S HOUSEHOLD GOODS ARE TOO HEAVY OR CUMBERSOME TO BE HANDLED SAFELY BY HIM OR HIS DEPENDENTS. SINCE THERE ARE NO PROVISIONS FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE MEMBER UNDER THE NAVY'S CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR OBTAINING RENTAL TRUCKS AND PACKING MATERIAL, IT IS STATED THAT MEMBERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED THAT THEY MAY HIRE PERSONNEL OTHER THAN THEMSELVES OR THEIR DEPENDENTS - TO ASSIST IN LOADING AND UNLOADING - AND THEY MAY SUBMIT CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF LABOR COSTS WITHIN REASONABLE AMOUNTS. THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY TAKES THE VIEW THAT THE MEMBER SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS OF SUCH LABOR SINCE SUCH COSTS OF LABOR FOR HANDLING HOUSEHOLD GOODS ARE EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHEN A SHIPMENT IS MADE BY A COMMERCIAL CARRIER THROUGH A GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION OFFICER.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD BY THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY THAT SEVERAL CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF LABOR COSTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE NAVY BUT HAVE BEEN FORWARDED TO THIS OFFICE FOR SETTLEMENT AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN WHOLE OR PART. IT IS STATED, HOWEVER, THAT A DECISION IN THIS REGARD IS DESIRED SO THAT MORE DEFINITIVE GUIDELINES MAY BE FURNISHED TO NAVY PERSONNEL WHO DESIRE TO MOVE THEMSELVES.

SECTION 404(A), TITLE 37, U.S. CODE, PROVIDES IN PERTINENT PART THAT UNDER REGULATIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE SECRETARIES CONCERNED, A MEMBER OF A UNIFORMED SERVICE IS ENTITLED TO TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES FOR TRAVEL PERFORMED UPON A CHANGE OF PERMANENT STATION, OR OTHERWISE, OR WHEN AWAY FROM HIS DESIGNATED POST OF DUTY, OR UPON SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE OR RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY. SECTION 404(B) OF TITLE 37 STATES THAT "THE SECRETARIES CONCERNED MAY PRESCRIBE - (1) THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES ARE AUTHORIZED, INCLUDING ADVANCE PAYMENTS THEREOF; AND (2) THE ALLOWANCES FOR THE KINDS OF TRAVEL, BUT NOT MORE THAN THE AMOUNTS AUTHORIZED IN THIS SECTION." SUBSECTION (D) OF SECTION 404 PROVIDES THAT THE TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES AUTHORIZED FOR EACH KIND OF TRAVEL MAY NOT BE MORE THAN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING -

(1) TRANSPORTATION IN KIND, REIMBURSEMENT THEREFOR, OR A MONETARY ALLOWANCE IN PLACE OF THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION AT A RATE THAT IS NOT MORE THAN 7 CENTS A MILE BASED ON DISTANCES ESTABLISHED, OVER THE SHORTEST USUALLY TRAVELED ROUTE ***

(2) TRANSPORTATION IN KIND, REIMBURSEMENT THEREFOR, OR A MONETARY ALLOWANCE AS PROVIDED BY CLAUSE (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, PLUS A PER DIEM IN PLACE OF SUBSISTENCE OF NOT MORE THAN $25 A DAY; OR

(3) A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE OF NOT MORE THAN 10 CENTS A MILE BASED ON DISTANCES ESTABLISHED UNDER CLAUSE (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

SUBSECTION (F) OF SECTION 404 PROVIDES THAT THE TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SECTION MAY BE PAID ON THE MEMBER'S SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE OR RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY, WHETHER OR NOT HE PERFORMS THE TRAVEL INVOLVED.

SECTION 406(A), TITLE 37, U.S. CODE, PROVIDES THAT A MEMBER OF A UNIFORMED SERVICE WHO IS ORDERED TO MAKE A CHANGE OF PERMANENT STATION IS ENTITLED TO TRANSPORTATION IN KIND FOR HIS DEPENDENTS, TO REIMBURSEMENT THEREFOR, OR TO A MONETARY ALLOWANCE IN PLACE OF THAT TRANSPORTATION IN KIND AT A RATE TO BE PRESCRIBED, BUT NOT MORE THAN THE RATE AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTION 404(D) OF THIS TITLE. IN CONNECTION WITH A CHANGE OF TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT STATION, SECTION 406(B) PROVIDES THAT A MEMBER IS ENTITLED TO TRANSPORTATION (INCLUDING PACKING, CRATING, DRAYAGE, TEMPORARY STORAGE, AND UNPACKING) OF BAGGAGE AND HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS, OR REIMBURSEMENT THEREFOR, WITHIN SUCH WEIGHT ALLOWANCES PRESCRIBED BY THE SECRETARIES CONCERNED, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE COMPARATIVE COSTS OF THE VARIOUS MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. SUBSECTION (C) FURTHER PROVIDES THAT "THE ALLOWANCES AND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZED BY SUBSECTIONS (A) AND (B) OF THIS SECTION ARE IN ADDITION TO THOSE AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS 404 AND 405 OF THIS TITLE AND ARE -

(1) SUBJECT TO SUCH CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS;

(2) FOR SUCH GRADES, RANKS AND RATINGS; AND

(3) TO AND FROM SUCH PLACES;

PRESCRIBED BY THE SECRETARIES CONCERNED"

PARAGRAPH M4150-1 OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS PROVIDES IN PERTINENT PART THAT ALLOWANCES FOR PERMANENT CHANGE-OF-STATION TRAVEL WILL BE AS FOLLOWS, SUBJECT TO THE SELECTION OF THE TRAVELER: "1. MILEAGE AT THE RATE OF $0.06 PER MILE; 2. TRANSPORTATION IN KIND OR TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS), PLUS A PER DIEM ALLOWANCE."

PARAGRAPH M4151 OF THE REGULATIONS STATES THAT MILEAGE IS AN ALLOWANCE TO COVER THE AVERAGE COST OF FIRST CLASS TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS, COST OF SUBSISTENCE, LODGING, AND OTHER INCIDENTAL EXPENSES DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TRAVEL. MILEAGE IS PAYABLE FOR THE OFFICIAL DISTANCE BETWEEN PERMANENT DUTY STATIONS, INCLUDING TRAVEL DIRECTED VIA TEMPORARY DUTY POINTS EN ROUTE, WHEN THE MEMBER IS AUTHORIZED TO AND DOES PERFORM SUCH TRAVEL AT HIS PERSONAL EXPENSE. THE MILEAGE ALLOWANCE IS PAYABLE REGARDLESS OF THE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION UTILIZED AND WILL ACCRUE UNDER CONDITIONS PRESCRIBED IN THIS PART. PARAGRAPH M4151 FURTHER PROVIDES THAT MILEAGE AND PER DIEM WILL NOT BE ALLOWED FOR THE SAME DAY EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF PAYMENT OF MILEAGE UNDER PARAGRAPH M4157 INCIDENT TO SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE OR RELIEF FROM ACTIVE DUTY.

RELATIVE TO TEMPORARY DUTY ALLOWANCES IN THE UNITED STATES, PARAGRAPH M4203-1 STATES THAT TRANSPORTATION IN KIND (INCLUDING BERTHS, PARLOR CAR SEATS, OR STATEROOMS, WHEN REQUIRED) MAY BE FURNISHED AS CONTEMPLATED BY THE ORDERS, AS AUTHORIZED IN CHAPTER 2, PART A (ACCOMMODATIONS ON COMMON CARRIERS). EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS 2 AND 3B (REIMBURSEMENT FOR COST OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY OWNED CONVEYANCE) WHEN AUTHORIZED TRAVEL IS PERFORMED AT PERSONAL EXPENSE, THE MEMBER WILL BE REIMBURSED A MONETARY ALLOWANCE IN LIEU OF TRANSPORTATION AT THE RATE OF $0.05 FOR THE OFFICIAL DISTANCE (PAR. M4203-3A, JTR).

THE TERM "GOVERNMENT CONVEYANCE," UNLESS OTHERWISE QUALIFIED, IS DEFINED TO MEAN ANY TRANSPORTATION FACILITY OWNED, LEASED OR CHARTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT; EXCEPT THAT A GOVERNMENT-OWNED VESSEL TOTALLY LEASED FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A GOVERNMENT CONVEYANCE (PAR. M1150-6, JTR).

A MEMBER WHO ELECTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "DO IT YOURSELF" PROGRAM IS REQUIRED TO DRIVE A RENTAL TRUCK CONTAINING HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS, SUPPLIED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD BE TRANSPORTED BY A COMMERCIAL HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOVER. IT APPEARS THAT UNDER PARAGRAPH M1150-6 OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS A LEASED VEHICLE WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE A GOVERNMENT CONVEYANCE, AS A TRANSPORTATION FACILITY LEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT. HOWEVER, A TRUCK IS SUPPLIED TO THE MEMBER TO MOVE HOUSEHOLD GOODS, AND ANY PERSONAL TRAVEL VIA SUCH CONVEYANCE IS MERELY INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF THESE EFFECTS. WHERE A MEMBER DROVE HIS PERSONALLY OWNED TRUCK TO TRANSPORT HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS, AND RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES OF THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, WE HELD THAT HE WAS ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE FOR HIS PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION AS IT IS SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM ALLOWANCE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS. DECISION B-176516, DECEMBER 13, 1972, COPY ENCLOSED.

ADDITIONALLY, "TRANSPORTATION IN KIND" WHICH MAY BE FURNISHED AS CONTEMPLATED BY ORDERS (PAR. M4203-1, JTR) REFERS TO ACCOMMODATIONS ON COMMON CARRIERS, SUCH AS BERTHS, PARLOR CAR SEATS OR STATEROOMS. WE DO NOT CONSIDER THAT A MEMBER DRIVING A LOADED TRUCK, OR A DEPENDENT SITTING BESIDE HIM IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, IS AFFORDED THE EQUIVALENT OF SUCH MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.

THEREFORE, IN ANSWER TO QUESTION 1, A MEMBER WHO MOVES HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS UNDER THE "DO IT YOURSELF" PROGRAM, INCIDENT TO PERMANENT CHANGE OF- STATION ORDERS, IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AFFORDED "TRANSPORTATION IN KIND," AND CONSEQUENTLY IS ENTITLED TO A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE FOR HIS PERSONAL TRAVEL UNDER ITEM 1, PARAGRAPH M4150-1 OF THE REGULATIONS.

IN VIEW OF OUR ANSWER TO QUESTION 1, NO ANSWER IS REQUIRED TO QUESTION 2 WHICH IS PREDICATED ON THE DENIAL OF ENTITLEMENT TO A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE.

IN ANSWER TO QUESTION 3, IF A MEMBER MOVES HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS UNDER THE PROGRAM INCIDENT TO TEMPORARY DUTY ORDERS, AS IN THE CASE OF A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION, HE IS ENTITLED TO A MONETARY ALLOWANCE IN LIEU OF TRANSPORTATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH M4203-3A OF THE REGULATIONS, WITH REIMBURSEMENT AT THE RATE OF $0.05 PER MILE FOR TRAVEL PERFORMED AT PERSONAL EXPENSE.

NAVAL SUPPLY SYSTEMS COMMAND INSTRUCTION (NAVSUPINST) 4050.62, AUGUST 3, 1972, A COPY OF WHICH WAS ENCLOSED WITH THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY'S LETTER, PROVIDES PROCEDURES FOR UTILIZING THE "DO IT YOURSELF" METHOD OF MOVING PERSONAL PROPERTY. PARAGRAPH I.G.2 OF THE INSTRUCTION INDICATES THAT TRAVEL ALLOWANCES WILL NOT BE PAID TO DEPENDENTS WHO RIDE TO THE NEW DESTINATION IN THE RENTAL TRUCK. CONSISTENT WITH THE VIEW EXPRESSED IN ANSWER TO QUESTION 1, A MEMBER MAY BE PAID A TRAVEL ALLOWANCE FOR DEPENDENTS AS WELL AS A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE FOR HIMSELF, ALTHOUGH THEY RIDE IN A RENTAL TRUCK. PARAGRAPH II.B.2 OF THE INSTRUCTION STATES AS FOLLOWS:

(D) ASSISTANCE IN LOADING AND UNLOADING. THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES HAS DETERMINED THAT CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR LABOR SUBMITTED UNDER THIS PROGRAM ARE PAYABLE AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE. WHILE NO GENERAL GUIDELINES WERE OUTLINED FOR FUTURE USE, NOR ANY SPECIFIC RATE OF REIMBURSEMENT SET, THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL, IN APPROVING PAYMENT RULED THAT CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF LABOR IN "REASONABLE" AMOUNTS WOULD BE HONORED, PROVIDED SUCH CLAIMS, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER COSTS OF THE "DO IT YOURSELF" MOVES, DO NOT EXCEED THE COSTS OF TRANSPORTATION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN INCURRED HAD THE GOODS BEEN SHIPPED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON A GBL OR LOCAL CONTRACT PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTS. MEMBERS SHOULD BE COUNSELED THAT REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS SHOULD BE MADE FOR REASONABLE AMOUNTS, THAT EACH CLAIM WILL BE JUDGED ON ITS OWN MERITS, AND THAT CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF LABOR OF MEMBERS OR DEPENDENTS WILL NOT BE HONORED. ALL CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO NRFC, WASHINGTON, D.C. AND SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTED PROOF OF PAYMENT OF THE AMOUNT CLAIMED, INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF EACH PERSON TO WHOM PAYMENT WAS MADE, AMOUNT OF TIME FOR WHICH PAYMENT WAS MADE, AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE "DO IT YOURSELF" MOVE.

IN ACCORD WITH 37 U.S.C. 406(B), AND UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF PARAGRAPH M8500 OF THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS WHICH PROVIDES FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SHIPMENTS OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS WHICH ARE MADE AT PERSONAL EXPENSE, WE HELD IN DECISION B-147846, JANUARY 30 AND APRIL 16, 1962(COPIES ENCLOSED) THAT REIMBURSEMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO A MEMBER WHO INDIVIDUALLY ARRANGED FOR THE HIRE OF A MOVING VAN AND SECURED ASSISTANCE IN PACKING AND CRATING HIS HOUSEHOLD GOODS, UPON PRESENTATION OF A RECEIPT FOR PAYMENT OF A REASONABLE AMOUNT FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE. IN DECISION B 159003, MAY 31, 1966(COPY ENCLOSED), REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED TO A NAVY MEMBER WHO, INCIDENT TO HIS PERSONALLY ARRANGED HOUSEHOLD GOODS SHIPMENT BY RENTAL TRUCK, PRESENTED BILLS FOR PACKING AND UNPACKING SERVICES FROM PERSONS WHO APPEARED TO BE MEMBERS OF HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

ACCORDINGLY, THE TRANSPORTATION AND CLAIMS DIVISION OF THIS OFFICE HAS AUTHORIZED PAYMENT OF CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF ASSISTANCE IN LOADING AND UNLOADING OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS SHIPPED PURSUANT TO THE "DO IT YOURSELF" PROGRAM. WE WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE PAYMENT OF SIMILAR TYPE CLAIMS PROVIDED SUCH CLAIMS ARE WITHIN REASONABLE AMOUNTS AND PROPERLY SUPPORTED AS INDICATED IN PARAGRAPH II.B.2 OF THE ABOVE-QUOTED INSTRUCTION.

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