_________________ November 24, 1997 _________________ GSBCA 13854-RATE In the Matter of AMERICAN WORLD FORWARDERS, INC. June Standley, Supervisor, American World Forwarders, Inc., Kansas City, MO, appearing for Claimant. Jeffrey J. Thurston, Director, Office of Transportation Audits, General Services Administration, Washington, DC, appearing for General Services Administration. Col. James F. Quinn, Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters, Military Traffic Management Command, Department of the Army, Falls Church, VA, appearing for Department of Defense. VERGILIO, Board Judge. The claimant, American World Forwarders, Inc., filed this matter seeking payment under an ocean bill of lading. Both the Military Traffic Management Command and the Office of Transportation Audits contend that in light of a pre-audit the Government withheld payment, and that American World then sought review by this Board, prior to exhausting administrative remedies. American World does not dispute the characterization and, subsequently, has requested payment through administrative procedures. This matter was filed before a cognizable claim could be filed with the Board. Accordingly, the matter is dismissed without reaching the merits. Tri-State Motor Transit Co., GSBCA 13896-RATE, 97-1 BCA 28,873. ____________________________ JOSEPH A. VERGILIO Board Judge