Powers and duties

The Institute may exercise the powers conferred upon a nonprofit corporation by the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act consistent with this chapter, except for section 5(o) of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. The Institute, acting through the Board, may— The Institute may undertake extension and outreach activities under this chapter by making grants and entering into contracts with institutions of postsecondary, community, secondary, and elementary education (including combinations of such institutions), with public and private educational, training, or research institutions (including the American Federation of Labor-the Congress of Industrial Organizations) and libraries, and with public departments and agencies (including State and territorial departments of education and of commerce). No grant may be made to an institution unless it is a nonprofit or official public institution, and at least one-fourth of the Institute’s annual appropriations shall be paid to such nonprofit and official public institutions. A grant or contract may be made to— The Institute may respond to the request of a department or agency of the United States Government to investigate, examine, study, and report on any issue within the Institute’s competence, including the study of past negotiating histories and the use of classified materials. The Institute may enter into personal service and other contracts for the proper operation of the Institute. The Institute may fix the duties of its officers, employees, and agents, and establish such advisory committees, councils, or other bodies, as the efficient administration of the business and purposes of the Institute may require. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Institute and the legal entity described in section 4603(c) of this title may not obtain any grant or contract or receive any gift or contribution from any private agency, organization, corporation or other legal entity, institution, or individual, except such Institute or legal entity may accept such a gift or contribution to— The Institute may charge and collect subscription fees and develop, for publication or other public communication, and disseminate, periodicals and other materials. The Institute may charge and collect fees and other participation costs from persons and institutions participating in the Institute’s direct activities authorized in subsection (b). The Institute may sue and be sued, complain, and defend in any court of competent jurisdiction. The Institute may adopt, alter, use, and display a corporate seal, emblem, badge, and other mark of recognition and colorable simulations thereof. The Institute may do any and all lawful acts and things necessary or desirable to carry out the objectives and purposes of this chapter. The Institute shall not itself undertake to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the Congress of the United States or by any State or local legislative bodies, or by the United Nations, except that personnel of the Institute may testify or make other appropriate communication when formally requested to do so by a legislative body, a committee, or a member thereof. The Institute may obtain administrative support services from the Administrator of General Services and use all sources of supply and services of the General Services Administration on a reimbursable basis.