Board of Contract Appeals

                 General Services Administration

                      Washington, D.C. 20405







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                        February 15, 2002

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                         GSBCA 15716-TRAV





                In the Matter of WILLIAM E. LUCAS 





     William E. Lucas, National Regional Contract Center Naples, Bahrain, Claimant.



     Lt. Brian W. Schultz, Naval Regional Contract Center Naples, Bahrain, appearing for

Department of the Navy.

 [Foot # 1 ] 



****************** Footnote Begin **********

[Foot # 1 ]       The Board has been unable to ascertain if Lt. Schultz is the correct agency

representative and has listed his appearance based upon claimant's representation that the

travel office is part of Lt. Schultz' responsibility.

****************** Footnote End ************



 WILLIAMS, Board Judge.



     Claimant filed this request for reimbursement of the cost of an airline ticket he

personally purchased for temporary duty travel.  Based upon information provided by

claimant, whether the agency has officially reviewed and denied his travel voucher or claim

for reimbursement is uncertain.  Nor does the record indicate the identity of the agency

official responsible for reviewing claimant's voucher and request for reimbursement. 

Claimant states that he was told that his claim was denied, but after numerous attempts the

Board has been unable to locate any agency representative who has reviewed or denied this

claim.  Claimant suggested that the agency may have misplaced the claim and questioned

whether he should resubmit it.



     Under Board Rule 401, the Board does not consider a claim that has not



     first [been] filed with the claimant's own department or agency (the agency). 

     The agency shall initially adjudicate the claim.  A claimant disagreeing with

     the agency's determination may request review of the claim by the Board.  The

     burden is on the claimant to establish the timeliness of the claim, the liability

     of the agency, and the claimant's right to payment.  The Board will issue the

     final decision on a claim based on the information submitted by the claimant

     and the agency.



     Ordinarily, under Rule 401, we dismiss a travel or relocation claim filed with the

Board that has not first been presented to the agency.  Steve Resch, GSBCA 14526-RELO

(Mar. 26, 1998).



     In light of the unfortunate circumstances here, the Board is unable to review the claim.

Claimant should resubmit the claim to the agency, advising the agency that he believes his

earlier claim was misplaced and that he is not seeking duplicative reimbursement.



     In the event the agency denies reimbursement, claimant may then file his claim with

this Board.



     Accordingly, the claim is dismissed, but claimant may later file his claim with the

Board if the agency denies reimbursement.







                                   ________________________________

                                   MARY ELLEN COSTER WILLIAMS

                                   Board Judge