Employment of experts and consultants; temporary or intermittent

§ 3109. Employment of experts and consultants; temporary or intermittent (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 849 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 5 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.