Gene received travel orders to transfer location where the Air Force prescribed a government bill of lading move – commonly called an actual expense move – estimating a cost of $8,270. Gene instead decided to perform a self move where he would use his own trailer, rent a special hitch and use his own vehicle for hauling where he decided it would be prudent to service the vehicle (e.g. thrust alignment, change fluids, balance wheels). When he completed his move and submitted a claim of $823 for the hitch and maintenance costs the AF refused reimbursement asserting it was not authorized to pay these expenses. The Board noted that employees are not required to use moving methods selected by their agency but in choosing to move themselves they should know the government can only reimburse what the “regulations, as interpreted by case law, permit.” The Board referred to an earlier, nearly identical case – James R. Adams, B-252629 – where James was unable to find a trailer to rent and purchased a kit and supplies for the move.  Like Gene, James move was significantly less expensive than what the government would have had to spend on a actual expense move but nonetheless, his reimbursement was denied because there was “no provision in the FTR” authorizing reimbursement for the truck or trailer used.  As for the maintenance part of Gene’s bill, the Board acknowledged the servicing of the vehicle would enhance reliability for the move but held those expenses were for “personal preference”. It held those services would have been performed at some time or another regardless of the trip so just because he chose to have them done before the trip does not translate maintenance of a personal vehicle into a relocation expense” (Gene Kourtei, CBCA 793-RELO).

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