1
 
                       Board of Contract Appeals
                    General Services Administration
                         Washington, D.C. 20405
                              ___________
 
                             June 30, 1998
                              ___________
 
                            GSBCA 14247-RATE
 
              In the Matter of TRI-STATE MOTOR TRANSIT 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.
        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,  Tri-State  Motor  Transit  Co.,  transported
   freight   under  nine   Government   bills   of   lading   (GBLs)
   (C-0,996,194; C-1,024,402; C-1,101,872; C-1,104,698; C-9,101,971;
   C-9,101,977; C-9,461,916; C-7,750,783;  C-9,559,865) in 1990  and
   1991.   Each GBL stated a released value  not to exceed $2.50 (or
   $1.75) per pound per article.   The claimant maintains that it is
   entitled to  an excess  valuation charge,  because each  released
   value  exceeded $20,000  (the default  released  value) when  the
   weight was multiplied  by the not to exceed  released value rate.
   The claimant's interpretation is consistent with precedent.  Tri-
   State Motor Transit Co., GSBCA 14249-RATE, 98-1 BCA   29,516 (and
   cases  cited therein).    The calculations  of  the excess  value
   charges are correct.   The claimant is entitled to the payment it
   seeks on each claim.
                                 ____________________________
                                 JOSEPH A. VERGILIO
                                 Board Judge