General Services Administration Incurring Food and Entertainment Expenses at the Grand Opening of a Government Cafeteria

The General Services Administration (GSA) requests an advance decision concerning payment of an invoice for food and entertainment expenses incurred at the grand opening of a government cafeteria. GAO held that the invoice for food and entertainment may not be certified for payment because of the long-standing prohibition against using appropriated funds to feed and entertain government employees. However, the invoice may be paid from unobligated funds available at the time the expenses were incurred provided the event otherwise qualifies as an official reception.