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B-324781 1 (2013-12-17)

handle is hein.gao/gaobadpyg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: AComptroller General U.S. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE of the United States United States Government Accountability Office Washington, DC 20548 Decision Matter of: Department of the Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground-Use of Appropriated Funds for Bottled Water File: B-324781 Date: December 17, 2013 DIGEST Department of the Army appropriations are available to purchase bottled water to be made available to the occupants of a number of buildings located on the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The agency has determined that the buildings fail to comply with occupational safety and health standards concerning the provision of potable water in places of employment. The agency may similarly use appropriated funds to purchase bottled water for use in response to legitimately anticipated dangers and exigencies. DECISION A certifying officer of the Department of the Army has requested our decision under 31 U.S.C. § 3529 regarding the use of appropriated funds to purchase bottled water, water coolers, and cups to be made available at a number of buildings located on U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The certifying officer has also asked if appropriations may be used to purchase bottled water to be stored for emergency use. Memorandum from Chief, Resource Management Office, APG, to the General Counsel, GAO, Request for Legal Decision Regarding US Army Garrison (USAG) APG Contract to Purchase Bottled Water (May 1, 2013) (Request Letter), at 3. As we explain below, we conclude that APG may use appropriated funds to purchase bottled water, water coolers, and cups for use at the specified locations, and to purchase bottled water for use in response to legitimately anticipated dangers and exigencies. 1 Our practice when rendering decisions is to obtain the views of the relevant agency to establish a factual record and the agency's legal position on the subject matter of the request. GAO, Procedures and Practices for Legal Decisions and Opinions, GAO-06-1064SP (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 2006), available at (continued...)