[Subsistence Expenses When Meals Are Provided by Government]

A certifying officer of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) requested an advance decision as to whether it is permissible to pay a BPA employee actual subsistence expenses without a deduction for luncheons paid for by the Government while she was attending a conference. The registration fee for the conference, which included continental breakfast and two luncheons, was paid directly by BPA. The lodging cost exceeded the maximum statutory actual subsistence allowance. The claimant's travel voucher claimed actual subsistence expenses plus an amount for breakfast and lunch. Because the cost of two luncheons was paid by BPA, the certifying officer proposed a deduction for each luncheon. No deduction for the continental breakfasts was proposed because such breakfasts do not represent a complete meal. GAO held that, where an employee is authorized travel to attend a training conference in a high-rate geographical area and lunches are provided as an integral part of the training, her reimbursement for actual expenses must be reduced by the value of the lunches to the employee. Accordingly, an adjustment must be made in accordance with the stated guidelines.