[Claim for Reimbursement for Real Estate Expenses]

A National Park Service (NPS) employee appealed the Claims Group's denial of his claim for reimbursement for real estate expenses he incurred in the sale of his residence incident to his transfer. The Claims Group denied the claim because the transaction took place 3 months beyond the maximum 3-year period. The employee claimed that NPS should have extended the 3-year period, since a purchaser's default contract delayed the sale. GAO held that these circumstances did not provide a legal basis to waive or modify the 3-year limit and that there was no basis for suspending that time limitation. Accordingly, the claim was denied.