Claim for Relocation Expenses Incurred Incident to Change of Duty Station

A Federal employee claimed entitlement to reimbursement for expenses incurred incident to his permanent change of duty station. After the employee was informed that he had been selected for a transfer, he signed the required service agreement, but he moved his dependents before formal travel orders were issued. The employing agency declined to reimburse the claimant for all of his relocation expenses because some were incurred prior to the effective date of transfer. However, GAO has held that reimbursement may be authorized for expenses incurred in anticipation of a transfer if an administrative intent to transfer existed. In this case, the employee may be reimbursed for all appropriate relocation expenses incurred after the date he signed the service agreement since the agreement demonstrates the requisite administrative intent to transfer the employee.