20 U.S.C. § 3462: Experts and consultants

Summary

The Secretary can hire outside experts and consultants when money is provided in appropriation laws. Those hires must follow the federal hiring rules in title 5, section 3109, and can be paid up to the daily rate for GS–18 under section 5332. For education programs that award money by competition, the Secretary can use up to 1 percent of that program’s appropriated funds to pay non‑Federal reviewers’ fees and expenses. That 1 percent rule does not apply if the program already allows using funds to pay reviewers.

Title 20, §3462

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

The Secretary may as provided in appropriation Acts obtain the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of title 5 and may compensate such experts and consultants at rates not to exceed the daily rate prescribed for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such title.

(b)Special rule

(1)In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may use not more than 1 percent of the funds appropriated for any education program that awards such funds on a competitive basis to pay the expenses and fees of non-Federal experts necessary to review applications and proposals for such funds.

(2)Applicability

The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any education program under which funds are authorized to be appropriated to pay the fees and expenses of non-Federal experts to review applications and proposals for such funds.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–227 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay RatesReferences in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

§3462 Experts and Consultants