Questions on Whether the Office of Technology Assessment May Obtain, on a Reimbursable Basis, the Part-Time Services of Individuals Employed on the Staffs of Members or Committees of the Congress

An informal inquiry was made as to whether the Office of Technology Assessment may obtain, on a reimbursable basis, the part-time services of individuals employed on the staffs of Members or committees of the Congress. If they can, a second question is whether reimbursements paid by the Office for such services may be returned to the appropriations from which the salaries of the individuals providing the services are paid rather than deposited into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. There is no apparent reason why employees on the staffs of Members or committees of the Congress do not fall within the category of those from whom the Office may obtain services. The funds in question do not fall within the purview of statutes requiring moneys received to be paid into the Treasury and, therefore, may be returned to the "clerk hire" appropriations.