Authority of GSA To Certify for Payment Claims Against Expired Agencies
Highlights
The General Services Administration (GSA) asked for guidelines concerning its authority to certify for payment claims that are debts of Federal agencies which have expired. GSA suggested that it be allowed to continue to certify claims or legal debts as part of its service of closing out the routine affairs of defunct agencies under the authority of the Economy Act of 1932. GAO held that GSA may certify claims for payment of an expired agency as long as the agency and GSA have a specific written agreement for this service prior to the agency's expiration. Pursuant to the U.S. States Code, GSA would become an "agency concerned" for the purpose of certifying vouchers pertaining to obligations of an expired agency.