§ 101-40.203-2 - The GBL method.

(a) For the purposes of the centralized household goods traffic management program described in this subpart 101-40.2, shipments of Government employees’ household goods authorized to move under a Government bill of lading (GBL) are classified as “GBL method” shipments. This method is distinguishable from the commuted rate system (§ 101-40.203-3) in that when a GBL is used, the Government, not the employee, is the shipper and the Government pays the carrier the applicable transportation charges. The decision on which method shall be authorized is the decision of the employing agency, and shall be based on a cost comparison (see § 101-40.203-4) which the agency obtains from the appropriate GSA regional office specified in § 101-40.101-1 or an agency office delegated authority to furnish cost comparisons. The cost comparison shall contain the name(s) of the carrier(s) eligible to handle the household goods shipment. When a shipment moves under a GBL, the agency prepares the bill of lading, books the shipment, and in event of loss or damage to the household goods may either file claims directly with the carrier, on behalf of the employee, or assist the employee in filing claims against the carrier.

(b) When the agency makes the final determination that the GBL method shall be used, the Government's financial obligation for the cost of shipping the employee's household goods is established. Once the GBL method is authorized and an employee chooses to move all or part of his/her household goods by some other means (see paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section), the Government's financial responsibility toward the employee for shipping costs is limited to the cost which the Government would have incurred had all the household goods been moved on one GBL, in one lot, from one origin to one destination, by the lowest cost carrier providing the level of service required by the agency at the time the GBL method was authorized.

(c) When an employee requests, for personal reasons, that his/her household goods be shipped by a carrier that is more costly than the carrier selected by the agency, the Government will pay the carrier's applicable charges and collect from the employee any additional transportation costs resulting from the employee's choice of carrier. Agencies are cautioned to counsel employees regarding their potential indebtedness to the Government when employees select a higher cost carrier.

(d) When an employee chooses to use a rental truck, trailer, or private conveyance to transport his/her household goods, the Government will reimburse the employee his/her actual expenses (e.g., vehicle rental fee, material handling equipment, packaging materials, fuel, toll charges, etc.) not to exceed the maximum amount described in paragraph (b) of this section.