July 8, 1997
                                                  


                             GSBCA 14173-RATE


                In the Matter of C. I. WHITTEN TRANSFER CO.


     Robert D. Norcom, Auditor, Tri-State Motor Transit Co.,
Joplin, MO, appearing for Claimant.

     Jeffrey J. Thurston, Director, Office of Transportation
Audits, General Services Administration, Washington, DC,
appearing for General Services Administration.

     Colonel James F. Quinn, Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters,
Military Traffic Management Command, Department of the Army,
Falls Church, VA, appearing for Department of Defense.

DANIELS, Board Judge (Chairman).

     C. I. Whitten Transfer Co. asked the Board to review the
United States Coast Guard's denial of a claim for additional
transportation charges on a shipment of small arms ammunition
that Whitten carried for the Government.

     The General Services Administration's Office of
Transportation Audits (OTA) asked us to dismiss this case as
prematurely filed, since the claim had not been presented to that
office in accordance with applicable regulation, 41 CFR
101-41.603-4 (1996).  See McGill Specialized Carriers, GSBCA
13926-RATE, 97-1 BCA  28,876; Tri-State Motor Transit Co., GSBCA
13896-RATE, 97-1 BCA  28,873.  Whitten agreed and withdrew its
request for review.  The case is consequently dismissed without
prejudice to the claimant's right to timely refile it in the
event the claimant wishes a review of OTA's determination.

     In accordance with Whitten's request, we are returning to
the claimant its original filing, so that Whitten may send it to
OTA.




                                   _________________________
                                   STEPHEN M. DANIELS
                                   Board Judge