§ 101-41.101 - Examination of payments, settlement of claims, and review of requirements.

Section 322 of the Transportation Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3726), permits transportation bills to be paid prior to audit by the Administrator of General Services or his/her designee in accordance with regulations that the Administrator shall prescribe.

(a) The authority vested in the Administrator of General Services by 31 U.S.C. 3726, as amended, enables the Administrator, or his/her designee, to:

(1) Audit selected transportation bills prior to payment;

(2) Examine, settle, and adjust accounts involving payment for transportation and related services for the account of the United States;

(3) Adjudicate and settle transportation claims by and against the United States;

(4) Deduct the amount of any overcharge by any carrier or forwarder from any amount subsequently found to be due such carrier or forwarder; and

(5) Delegate any authority conferred on the Administrator to another agency or agencies if the Administrator determines that such a delegation would be cost-effective, accurate, timely, or otherwise in the public interest.

(b) The Administrator of General Services, or his designee, will exercise such authority subject to:

(1) The direction of the President;

(2) Fiscal and policy control of the Office of Management and Budget; and

(3) Decisions of the Comptroller General of the United States resulting from Federal agency or common and contract carrier appeals involving disputed claims by and against the United States or issued under the authority vested in the Comptroller General by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, as amended (31 U.S.C. 702), and the Accounting and Auditing Act of 1950, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3511).