[Response to Request for Decision Concerning Army Employee's Reimbursement of Expenses for Damages to Rented Vehicle]

The Army requested an advance decision concerning whether it could reimburse an employee for expenses paid to an automobile rental company for damages to a rented vehicle. The employee was authorized to rent an automobile for his temporary duty assignment in Germany and, while he was driving the car to his temporary duty site, the tire was damaged. In addition, the car's gas cap was stolen while the car was parked on an Army base. Under the rental agreement, the employee was required to reimburse the rental company for any tire damage and any other damage not caused by accidents. GAO held that, since the damages occurred while the employee was using the vehicle for official business, the Army could reimburse the employee for the expenses. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.