[Decision Concerning Forest Service Employee's Claim for Reimbursement of Subsistence Expenses]

A Forest Service employee claimed reimbursement for subsistence expenses incident to his transfer, contending that the Service improperly limited meal reimbursement for days when he obtained meals commercially, based on a Service survey of selected commercial restaurants. GAO held that the survey may have understated the applicable costs. Accordingly, GAO returned the claim to the Service for a reexamination of the amounts claimed for commercially obtained meals.