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                               July 17, 1997
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                             GSBCA 14036-RELO


                     In the Matter of GEORGE L. TAYLOR


     George L. Taylor, Keller, TX, Claimant.

     Jimmy L. Heller, Director for Transportation Payments, Defense
Finance and Accounting Service, Indianapolis, IN, appearing for
Department of Defense.

DeGRAFF, Board Judge.

     George L. Taylor claims that he should not have to reimburse
his employing agency, which paid to transport more than 18,000
pounds of his household goods.  As explained below, the claim is
denied. 

     In 1994, Mr. Taylor, an employee of the Environmental
Protection Agency in North Carolina, accepted a position with the
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in Texas.  DCAA authorized
Mr. Taylor to ship up to 18,000 pounds of household goods from
North Carolina to Texas using the government bill of lading (GBL)
method.  When goods are shipped using the GBL method, the agency
makes arrangements with a moving company for transportation
services and pays for the services.

     Lawrence Transportation Systems, Inc. (Lawrence) moved
Mr. Taylor s household goods as an uncrated shipment and delivered
them to a storage facility in Texas.  Lawrence completed GBL
SP-522,673 to show that Mr. Taylor s household goods weighed 23,020
pounds.  Approximately two weeks later, when the goods were moved
from the storage site, they were reweighed and their weight was
calculated to be 22,020 pounds.  A handwritten correction was made
to the GBL to show a weight of 22,020 pounds.  DCAA paid for
Lawrence's services.

     DCAA determined that Mr. Taylor was responsible for the cost
of shipping 4,020 pounds of his household goods, which is the
difference between the 18,000 pounds he was authorized to ship and
the 22,020 pounds of goods he actually shipped.  DCAA calculated
this amount to be $2,210.38.  

     Mr. Taylor claims that he is not responsible for paying any
amount.  Mr. Taylor says that this  bogus issue of overweight
goods  is the result of his  criticism of the carriers and the
Government.   Mr. Taylor does not say what he criticized and he
does not explain how his criticism affected the weight of his
household goods.  At Mr. Taylor s request, the Defense Finance and
Accounting Service forwarded Mr. Taylor s claim to us for review. 

     Congress authorized agencies to reimburse employees for the
expenses of transporting household goods "not in excess of 18,000
pounds net weight."  5 U.S.C.  5724(a)(2) (1994).  This statutory
provision is implemented in the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR). 
The FTR is supplemented by the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR),
which apply to civilian employees of the Department of Defense.  

     The FTR and the JTR explain how to determine the net weight of
a shipment.  The net weight of an uncrated shipment is the weight
shown on the GBL.  41 CFR 302-8.2(c)(1) (1995); JTR C8000-2a.  Even
though Mr. Taylor does not believe that the weight of his household
goods exceeded 18,000 pounds, the weight shown on the GBL is
controlling and the GBL for Mr. Taylor s shipment establishes that
the net weight of his household goods was 22,020 pounds.  

     Mr. Taylor has not provided us with any information to suggest
that the weight of his household goods was other than 22,020
pounds.  The agency properly determined that Mr. Taylor is
responsible for paying for the shipment of household goods in
excess of 18,000 pounds.  Mr. Taylor s claim is denied.




                                   _______________________________
                                   MARTHA H. DeGRAFF
                                   Board Judge