Board of Contract Appeals
                    General Services Administration
                         Washington, D.C. 20405
 
 
 
                            ________________
 
                              May 14, 1998
                           _________________
 
 
                           GSBCA 14140-TRAV-R
 
 
                     In the Matter of SABAH A. ISSA
 
 
        Sabah A. Issa, Bettendorf, IA, Claimant.
 
        Bobby A. Derrick,  Acting Director,  Finance and  Accounting
   Systems  Transition,  Defense  Finance  and  Accounting  Service,
   Indianapolis Center, Indianapolis,  IN, appearing for  Department
   of Defense.
 
   PARKER, Board Judge.
 
        On  March 30,  1998, the  Board  granted in  part Mr.  Sabah
   Issa's claim for  reimbursement of  the cost  of airline  tickets
   obtained  in connection with a temporary  duty assignment.  Sabah
   A. Issa, GSBCA 14140-TRAV (Mar. 30, 1998).  On April 28, Mr. Issa
   wrote to  the Board, asking  whether he  is entitled  to be  paid
   interest on the amount  awarded to him.   The Board docketed  Mr.
   Issa's letter as a request for reconsideration.
 
        As  a general  rule, interest  on claims against  the United
   States cannot be recovered in the absence of an express provision
   to the contrary in the relevant statute or contract.   Library of
   Congress  v.  Shaw,  478  U.S.  310  (1986);  United   States  v.
   Tillamooks, 341  U.S.  48 (1951);  United  States v.  N.Y.  Rayon
   Importing Co., 329 U.S. 654 (1947).  The Comptroller General, the
   Board's  predecessor in resolving claims by Federal employees for
   travel and relocation expenses, has recognized that "there are no
   statutes   authorizing  the  payment   of  interest   on  delayed
   relocation expense claims."   David W. Eubank, B-219526 (May  25,
   1988).    Similarly,  we  are  not  aware  of  any  statutory  or
   contractual provision which authorizes the payment of interest in
   connection  with  claims  for  reimbursement  of  temporary  duty
   expenses.   Michael  A. Dilligan,  GSBCA  13644-TRAV, 97-2  BCA  
   29,045.  Accordingly, Mr. Issa's request must be denied.
 
 
 
                                      ________________________
 
                                      ROBERT W. PARKER
                                      Board Judge