Title 31Money and FinanceRelease 119-73

§6305 Using cooperative agreements

Title 31 › Subtitle SUBTITLE V— - GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION › Chapter CHAPTER 63— - USING PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS AND GRANT AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS › § 6305

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

An executive agency must use a cooperative agreement when its main goal is to give money or other value to a state, local government, or other recipient to carry out a public purpose allowed by U.S. law, instead of buying goods or services for the federal government. The agency must also expect to be closely involved with the recipient while the activity is carried out.

Full Legal Text

Title 31, §6305

Money and Finance — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

An executive agency shall use a cooperative agreement as the legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the United States Government and a State, a local government, or other recipient when—
(1)the principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer a thing of value to the State, local government, or other recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States instead of acquiring (by purchase, lease, or barter) property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States Government; and
(2)substantial involvement is expected between the executive agency and the State, local government, or other recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 630541:505.Feb. 3, 1978, Pub. L. 95–224, § 6, 92 Stat. 5. The words “type of” are omitted as unnecessary. The words “money, property, services” are omitted as being included in “a thing of value”. The words “law of the United States” are substituted for “Federal statute” for consistency.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Implementation of North American Wetlands Conservation Act and North American Waterfowl Management Plan Pub. L. 102–154, title I, Nov. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 995, provided that: “Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301–6308), the Fish and Wildlife Service is hereafter authorized to negotiate and enter into cooperative arrangements and grants with public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals to implement on a public-private cost sharing basis, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act [16 U.S.C. 4401 et seq.] and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan”. Printing of Educational Materials and Continuation of Challenge Cost-Share Program Pub. L. 102–154, title II, Nov. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1018, provided that: “Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301–6308), the Forest Service is authorized hereafter to negotiate and enter into cooperative arrangements with public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals to print educational materials and to continue the Challenge Cost-Share Program.” Bureau of Land Management; Authorization To Use Cooperative Arrangements To Implement Challenge Cost-Share Programs Pub. L. 101–512, title I, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1918, provided in part that: “the Bureau [of Land Management] is authorized hereafter to negotiate and enter into cooperative arrangements with public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals, to implement challenge cost-share programs.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

31 U.S.C. § 6305

Title 31Money and Finance

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73