[Carrier's Claim for Reimbursement for Army Offset for Damages to Shipment]

A firm requested reimbursement for an Army offset for damages to an Army member's household goods. The claimant denied liability, contending that the memorandum of understanding governing claims for loss or damages to household goods directed notification of damages within 75 days after delivery, and the metered stamp mark on the envelope in which the claim form was mailed showed that the Army actually mailed the form 77 days after delivery. GAO held that the claims officer complied with the 75-day requirement, since the Army claims officer signed and dated the form 75 days after delivery. Accordingly, the claim was denied.