[Decision Concerning Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation Payment of Construction Consultants]

GAO reviewed whether the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (PADC) could pay construction consultant fees from privately raised funds. GAO held that PADC could properly pay consultant fees directly from private funds, since: (1) appropriated funds only covered preliminary project costs for initial design, planning, and development expenses; (2) consultant fees exceeded the amount authorized for project development; (3) direct appropriations did not cover construction oversight expenses; and (4) Congress approved the PADC development plan, which included consultant fees as part of construction costs. Accordingly, PADC could privately fund the payment of consultant fees.