[Decision Concerning DLA Employee's Claim for Reimbursement for Travel Expenses]

A Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) employee claimed reimbursement for travel expenses incident to two temporary duty assignments. Although DLA authorized separate round trips by commercial air carrier, the employee chose to travel by privately owned vehicle and to take annual leave while he was between assignments, rather than return to his permanent duty station. DLA limited the employee's reimbursement to the constructive costs of a single round trip. GAO held that the employee was entitled to be reimbursed for actual travel costs, limited to the constructive costs of the two authorized round trips. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.