Interagency Agreements
Customs-Coast Guard Agreement for U.S.-Bahamas Drug Task Force Was Proper Gao ID: AFMD-87-69 August 31, 1987In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed an interagency agreement between the Coast Guard and the Customs Service that called for the Coast Guard to procure and operate helicopters for the U.S.-Bahamas Drug Interdiction Task Force, to determine: (1) the legal basis for the agreement; (2) any legal requirement concerning the use of funds; and (3) whether either agency violated any federal laws.
GAO found that: (1) the Drug Interdiction Improvement Act created a task force to manage aircraft and communication capabilities for 24-hour air coverage within the Bahamas; (2) the agreement was valid and did not contravene any legal requirements for Customs' use of appropriated funds; (3) the Coast Guard met the legislative requirements and followed established procedures in billing Customs for the task force's operations; (4) Customs did not follow its internal procedures for processing interagency agreements and related billings; and (5) Customs did not promptly obligate the necessary funds.