[Claim for Dental Services Furnished to the Coast Guard]

The Coast Guard requested an advance decision concerning the propriety of payments to a retired U.S. Public Health Service officer for dental services performed for the Coast Guard. The claimant performed the services under oral procurements; however, the Coast Guard did not approvesome payments due to concern over possible conflicts of interest or irregularities in the contracting procedures. GAO held that the: (1) claimant was not barred from performing the dental services by a conflict of interest; (2) Coast Guard could pay the claimant for the reasonable worth of his services on a quantum meruit basis; and (3) amounts the claimant requested for his services appeared to be reasonable. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.