[Army Employee's Claim for Per Diem]

An Army employee claimed reimbursement for per diem incident to two temporary duty assignments, contending that, although the government furnished lodging and meals at no cost, the facilities were inadequate at both locations and he obtained commercial lodging and meals. GAO held that the Army could not reimburse the claimant for commercial lodging and meals, since the claimant failed to obtain a certificate of nonavailability of government-furnished quarters, and such quarters were available. Accordingly,the claim was denied.