Comments on Research Agreement Between Two Government Agencies

GAO commented on whether a research agreement entered into by the Housing and Home Finance Agency and another government agency under the provisions of sections 301(a) and 502(c) of the Housing Act of 1948 obligates the appropriations of the Housing and Home Finance Agency in the same manner as contracts with non-federal parties, and the funds so committed remain available for expenditure by the performing agency for the full period of availability provided in section 301(a). GAO believes that agreements entered into with federal agencies or instrumentalities for the performance of housing research and studies under authority of sections 301(a) and 502(c)(2) of the 1948 act, as amended, properly may be regarded as contracts within the purview of section 301(a) so as to extend the availability for expenditure of funds obligated thereby for the five fiscal year period.