§299c–5 Certain Administrative Authorities

Summary

Allows the Agency director to hire a deputy and other staff and to set their pay. Hiring and pay must follow the civil service rules and title 5 pay rules unless another law says otherwise. The Secretary can get or lease buildings in Washington, D.C., or nearby communities for up to 10 years through the General Services Administrator, and can build, fix, run, and buy labs, equipment, property, and patents the Secretary thinks are needed. The director can give grants, and make cooperative agreements or contracts, with public, private, nonprofit groups, and individuals. The director can use people, equipment, and facilities of the Department of Health and Human Services, let others use those resources, and give technical help. With their consent, the director can also use services and resources of other federal, state, local, or foreign governments, with or without paying them back. The Secretary may hire consultants, including up to 50 experts with the right qualifications, under title 5 rules (the usual time limit on service does not apply). Travel costs for those experts will be paid under certain title 5 travel rules only if the expert agrees in writing to finish the assignment or to serve for up to 1 year, whichever is shorter; if they break that agreement they must repay the travel costs unless the Secretary waives recovery. The director may also accept voluntary, unpaid help.