United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao_comptroller_general legislative 2016-06-24 U.S. Government Publishing Office 2005-11-09 monographic deposited born digital 5 p. GA 1.13:B-304718 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-B-304718 P0b002ee18fd4d019 f:304718 DGPO 2016-06-24 2016-06-24 GAOREPORTS-B-304718 machine generated eng fdlp COMPTROLLERDECISION GAOREPORTS-B-304718 B-304718 Comptroller General Decision

To fulfill its statutory mission, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, conducts focus groups in which veterans and their families participate. VBA asks whether it may use appropriated funds to pay for incentives in the form of refreshments or light meals to increase participation in and the effectiveness of focus groups. VBA may reasonably determine administratively that providing such incentives encourages participation in and improves the quality of information gleaned from focus groups, and accordingly may use appropriated funds to pay for such incentives. VBA should provide incentives pursuant to an enforceable policy that ensures incentives are provided only when necessary and appropriate. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-B-304718/html/GAOREPORTS-B-304718.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-B-304718/pdf/GAOREPORTS-B-304718.pdf GAO/B-304718 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-B-304718 Comptroller General Decision GAO/B-304718; B-304718, Veterans Benefits Administration--Refreshments for Focus Groups, November 9, 2005; Title 40 Section 611(a) 40 U.S.C. 611(a) Volume 118 Page 2809 118 Stat. 2809 Volume 119 Page 2037 119 Stat. 2037 Public Law 108-447 Public Law 109-77