Encl. (1) to COMDTINST 5700.1
SUMMARY COMPARISON OF VARIOUS TYPES OF AGREEMENTS
CONTRACT. The legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the Federal Government and
another party whenever the principal purpose of the instrument is the acquisition, by purchase,
lease, or barter, of property or services, including construction, for the direct benefit or use of the
Federal Government.
Limitation: May only be executed for the government by a warranted contracting officer.
GRANT. The legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the Federal Government and
another party whenever the principal purpose of the relationship is the transfer of money, property,
services, or anything of value from the Federal Government to another party to accomplish a public
purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute, and no substantial involvement is
anticipated between the Federal Government and the other party during performance of the
contemplated activity.
Limitation: The Coast Guard has only limited specific authorities for grants - 46 USC Section
13103 for boating safety; 33 USC Section 1254(i) for oil pollution control studies; 33 USC section
1254(j) regarding solid waste disposal equipment for vessels, and 33 USC Section 2761(c) for oil
pollution research and development.
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. The legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the
Federal Government and another party whenever the principal purpose of the relationship is the
transfer of money, property, services, or anything of value from the Federal Government to another
party to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute, and
substantial involvement is anticipated between the Federal Government and the other party during
performance of the contemplated activity.
Limitation: The Coast Guard has only limited specific authorities for cooperative agreements -14
USC Section 93(d) for experiments relating to performance of Coast Guard functions; 14 USC
Section 93(t) for maintenance and improvement of natural and historic resources; 14 USC Section
93(u) for cooperative agreements with other Government agencies and the National Academy of
Science; and 33 USC Section 2761(c) for oil pollution research and development.
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. The legal instrument
reflecting a relationship between the Federal Government and another party under which the
Federal Government, through its laboratories, provides personnel, services, facilities, equipment,
intellectual property, or other resources with or without reimbursement (but not funds to non-
Federal parties) and the non-Federal parties provide funds, personnel, services, facilities,
equipment, intellectual property, or other resources toward the conduct of specified research or
development efforts which are consistent with the mission of the laboratory.
Limitations: Cooperative Research and Development Agreements may only be used by those
Coast Guard units meeting the definition of a Federal
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