5 U.S.C. § 3109

Employment of experts and consultants; temporary or intermittent

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(a) For the purpose of this section—(1) “agency” has the meaning given it by section 5721 of this title; and(2) “appropriation” includes funds made available by statute under section 9104 of title 31.(b) When authorized by an appropriation or other statute, the head of an agency may procure by contract the temporary (not in excess of 1 year) or intermittent services of experts or consultants or an organization thereof, including stenographic reporting services. Services procured under this section are without regard to—(1) the provisions of this title governing appointment in the competitive service;(2) chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of this title; and(3) section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41, except in the case of stenographic reporting services by an organization.However, an agency subject to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of this title may pay a rate for services under this section in excess of the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of this title only when specifically authorized by the appropriation or other statute authorizing the procurement of the services.(c) Positions in the Senior Executive Service or the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration Senior Executive Service may not be filled under the authority of subsection (b) of this section.(d) The Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations necessary for the administration of this section. Such regulations shall include—(1) criteria governing the circumstances in which it is appropriate to employ an expert or consultant under the provisions of this section;(2) criteria for setting the pay of experts and consultants under this section; and(3) provisions to ensure compliance with such regulations.(e) Each agency shall report to the Office of Personnel Management on an annual basis with respect to—(1) the number of days each expert or consultant employed by the agency during the period was so employed; and(2) the total amount paid by the agency to each expert and consultant for such work during the period.(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 416; Pub. L. 95–454, title IV, § 402(b), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 97–258, § 3(a)(4), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1063; Pub. L. 100–325, § 2(b), May 30, 1988, 102 Stat. 581; Pub. L. 102–378, § 2(8), Oct. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 1347; Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(a)(4), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3841.)

Historical and Revision Notes
	5 U.S.C. 55a.	Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, § 15, 60 Stat. 810.

Historical and Revision Notes

5 U.S.C. 55a.

Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, § 15, 60 Stat. 810.

In subsection (a), the definitions of “agency” and “appropriation” are added on authority of the Act of Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, § 18, 60 Stat. 811.

In subsection (b), the words “the provisions of this title governing appointment in the competitive service” are substituted for “the civil-service laws”. The words “chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of this title” are substituted for the reference to the classification laws which originally meant the Classification Act of 1923, as amended. Exception from the Classification Act of 1949 is based on sections 202(27) and 1106(a) of the Act of Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, 63 Stat. 956, 972.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Editorial NotesAmendments

2011—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted “section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41” for “section 5 of title 41”.

1992—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 102–378 added subsecs. (d) and (e).

1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–325 inserted reference to Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration Senior Executive Service.

1982—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 97–258 substituted “section 9104” for “section 849”.

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–454 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–454 effective 9 months after Oct. 13, 1978, and congressional review of provisions of sections 401 through 412 of Pub. L. 95–454, see section 415 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3131 of this title.

Limitation on Consulting Services

Pub. L. 113–76, div. G, title IV, § 401, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 337, provided that: “In fiscal year 2014 and thereafter, the expenditure of any appropriation under this Act [div. G of Pub. L. 113–76, see Tables for classification] or any subsequent Act appropriating funds for departments and agencies funded in this Act, for any consulting service through procurement contract, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3109, shall be limited to those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law, or under existing Executive order issued pursuant to existing law.”

Appropriations Relating to Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Public Disclosure of Consulting Service Through Procurement Contract

Pub. L. 102–394, title V, § 501, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1825, provided that: “The expenditure of any appropriation under this Act or subsequent Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts for any consulting service through procurement contract, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3109, shall be limited to those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law, or under existing Executive order issued pursuant to existing law.”

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 102–170, title V, § 501, Nov. 26, 1991, 105 Stat. 1140.

Pub. L. 101–517, title V, § 501, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2220.

Pub. L. 101–166, title V, § 501, Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 1189.

Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(h) [title V, § 501], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–256, 1329–287.

Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(i) [H.R. 5233, title V, § 501], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–287, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(i) [H.R. 5233, title V, § 501], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–287.

Pub. L. 99–178, title V, § 501, Dec. 12, 1985, 99 Stat. 1132.

Pub. L. 98–619, title V, § 501, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3332.

Pub. L. 98–139, title V, § 501, Oct. 31, 1983, 97 Stat. 898.

Pub. L. 97–377, title I, § 101(e)(1) [title V, § 501], Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1878, 1904.

Availability of Appropriations for Services

Pub. L. 102–394, title V, § 503, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1825, provided that: “Appropriations contained in this Act or subsequent Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts, available for salaries and expenses, shall be available for services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 but at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the maximum rate payable for senior-level positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376.”

[For reference to maximum rate under section 5376 of this title, see section 2(d)(3) of Pub. L. 110–372, set out as an Effective Date of 2008 Amendment note under section 5376 of this title.]

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 102–170, title V, § 503, Nov. 26, 1991, 105 Stat. 1140.

Pub. L. 101–517, title V, § 503, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2221.

Pub. L. 101–166, title V, § 503, Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 1189.

Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(h) [title V, § 503], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–256, 1329–287.

Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(i) [H.R. 5233, title V, § 503], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–287, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(i) [H.R. 5233, title V, § 503], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–287.

Pub. L. 99–178, title V, § 503, Dec. 12, 1985, 99 Stat. 1132.

Pub. L. 98–619, title V, § 503, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3333.

Pub. L. 98–139, title V, § 503, Oct. 31, 1983, 97 Stat. 899.

Pub. L. 97–377, title I, § 101(e)(1) [title V, § 503], Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1878, 1904.

Appropriations Relating to Energy and Water Development; Public Disclosure of Consulting Service Through Procurement Contract

Pub. L. 102–377, title V, § 504, Oct. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 1342, provided that: “The expenditure of any appropriation under this Act or subsequent Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts for any consulting service through procurement contract, pursuant to section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, hereafter shall be limited to those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law, or under existing Executive Order issued pursuant to existing law.”

Executive DocumentsEx. Ord. No. 13433. Protecting American Taxpayers From Payment of Contingency Fees

Ex. Ord. No. 13433, May 16, 2007, 72 F.R. 28441, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. To help ensure the integrity and effective supervision of the legal and expert witness services provided to or on behalf of the United States, it is the policy of the United States that organizations or individuals that provide such services to or on behalf of the United States shall be compensated in amounts that are reasonable, not contingent upon the outcome of litigation or other proceedings, and established according to criteria set in advance of performance of the services, except when otherwise required by law.

Sec. 2. Duties of Agency Heads. (a) Heads of agencies shall implement within their respective agencies the policy set forth in section 1, consistent with such instructions as the Attorney General may prescribe.

(b) After the date of this order, no agency shall enter into a contingency fee agreement for legal or expert witness services addressed by section 1 of this order, unless the Attorney General has determined that the agency’s entry into the agreement is required by law.

(c) Within 90 days after the date of this order, the head of each agency shall notify the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget of any contingency fee agreements for services addressed by section 1 of this order that are in effect as of the date of this order.

Sec. 3. Definitions. For purposes of this order:

(a) The term “agency” means an executive agency as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, and the United States Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission, but shall exclude the Government Accountability Office and elements of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 as amended (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)) [now 50 U.S.C. 3003(4)][)].

(b) The term “contingency fee agreement” means a contract or other agreement to provide services under which the amount or the payment of the fee for the services is contingent in whole or in part on the outcome of the matter for which the services were obtained. The term does not include:

(i) qualified tax collection contracts defined in section 6306 of title 26, United States Code, and

(ii) contracts described in sections 3711 and 3718 of title 31, United States Code.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to an agency or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right, benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.

George W. Bush.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 20 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1979–2025 · leading case: UNITED STATES of Am., Plaintiff-Appellee, v. George Paul SALEMO, Defendant-Appellant, 81 F.3d 1453 (9th Cir. 1996).

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UNITED STATES of Am., Plaintiff-Appellee, v. George Paul SALEMO, Defendant-Appellant, 81 F.3d 1453 (9th Cir. 1996). · cites it 2× “Salerno argues for the first time that the appointment he requested should have been made pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 3109 and the Guide To Judiciary Policies And Procedures ("Guide”).”

Aluminum Co. of Am. v. Fed. Trade Comm'n, 589 F. Supp. 169 (S.D.N.Y. 1984). · cites it 2× “§ 2105 , which requires an employee to be “subject to ... supervision .”

Conservation Law Found. v. Evans, 203 F. Supp. 2d 27 (D.D.C. 2002). · cites it 4× “Additionally, the Administrative Expenses Act of 1949, 5 U.S.C. § 3109 , and the Court Interpreters Act, Pub.”

Fort Bragg Ass'n of Educators, Nea v. Fed. Labor Relations Auth., 870 F.2d 698 (D.C. Cir. 1989). · cites it 2× “, 5 U.S.C. § 3109 ) to do so. 48 C.F.R. § 37.”

Techniarts Eng'g v. United States, 51 F.3d 301 (D.C. Cir. 1995). “” 5 U.S.C. § 3109 (b). Congress has expressly authorized the USIA “[i]n carrying out” the provisions governing TV MARTI to “procure services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109.”

Trevino v. Gen. Dynamics Corp., 626 F. Supp. 1330 (E.D. Tex. 1986). “See 5 U.S.C. § 3109 . However, even though the master/servant relationship was proscribed, the Court may still find that such a relationship did, in fact, exist between Mare Island Naval shipyards and the General Dynamics employees.”

Retaining Private Couns. to Represent the DHS Sec'y in Impeachment Processes (OLC 2023). · cites it 6× “As potential sources of authority and appropriations, DHS has identified 5 U.S.C. § 3109 , 6 U.S.C. § 392 , and section 505 of the DHS Appropriations Act, 2004, Pub.”

Nat'l Small Shipments Traffic Conf., Inc. v. Interstate Com. Comm'n, 725 F.2d 1442 (D.C. Cir. 1984). “See 5 U.S.C. § 3109 (b) (1982) (an “agency” may retain private consultants); id § 5721(1)(A) (definition of “agency” includes Executive agencies); id.”

Appointment of Uncompensated Special Attorneys Under 28 U.S.C. § 515 (OLC 2012). · cites it 4× “We also concluded that the Department of Commerce could appoint uncompensated consultants under 5 U.S.C. § 3109 , Federal Advisory Committees, 6 Op.”

Auth. of the Dep't of Health & Human Servs. to Pay for Private Couns. to Represent an Emp. Before Cong. Committees (OLC 2017). · cites it 2× “” 5 U.S.C. § 3109 (b); see Burford I at 6 n.”

Earl v. The Boeing Co. (E.D. Tex. 2021). · cites it 2× “Section 1113(b)(1)(A) grants the NTSB authority to “procure the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants” as an “agency” pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 3109 (b). 49 U.S.C. § 1113 (b)(1)(A).”

All. for Retired Americans v. Bessent (D.D.C. 2025). · cites it 2× “When Krause signed his Treasury appointment paperwork, and took an oath of office on January 23, he was “onboarded” as a “consultant” under the authority of 5 U.S.C. § 3109 . Wenzler Decl. ¶ 4; Krause Decl.”

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— 5 U.S.C. § 3109(b) — 1 case

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