Legality of Proposed Contract with Research Institute

A decision was requested on the legality and propriety of a proposed contract offered by the New England Regional Commission for research concerning Federal policy options. A contract cannot be awarded for general support but may be awarded for distinct research tasks or projects. There appears to be no illegality or impropriety in a contract between the Commission and a private research institute having some relations with a congressional regional caucus provided that the institute is not funded by moneys appropriated to Congress and that no benefit accrues to any Member of Congress.