§475 Powers of Office of Technology Assessment

Summary

The Office may do what it needs, within the limits of available appropriations, to carry out its work. It can hire outside experts and form temporary task forces. It can make contracts or other arrangements with federal, state, local, or private groups, with or without payment, and without performance bonds or following section 6101 of title 41. It can make advance and progress payments related to technology assessment without following section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31. It can accept unpaid volunteers and pay their travel and subsistence as allowed by section 5703 of title 5. It can buy, lease, hold, and sell property it needs. It can set rules for how the Office runs. Any contractor whose work costs the government must keep books and records so audits can be done and make them available to the Office and the Comptroller General of the United States. The Office must not operate its own laboratories, pilot plants, or test facilities. It can get information, estimates, and technical help directly from executive departments and agencies, and those agencies must provide them when asked. Agency heads may detail staff to help the Office, with or without reimbursement. The Director hires staff and sets pay under policies the Board gives.