[Decision Concerning Forest Service Employees' Claims for Per Diem and Miscellaneous Temporary Duty Expenses]

The Forest Service requested a decision regarding seven employees' claims for per diem, mileage, and miscellaneous expenses they incurred during periods of temporary duty they performed between 1979 and 1985. The claimants contended that the Service reimbursed nine other employees for those expenses for the same period. GAO held that the Service should: (1) reimburse the claimants for the temporary duty expenses they incurred between 1980 and 1985, if otherwise appropriate, since the claimants initially sought reimbursement in 1986 and claims for expenses incurred beyond a 6-year period were time-barred; and (2) determine whether it erroneously paid the nine other employees for claims beyond the 6-year period and consider obtaining waivers for those employees. Accordingly, the claims were partially allowed.