What does it mean to reprogram funds?
Daniel Santos
Updated on January 01, 2026
Reprogramming is the shifting of funds within an appropriations account “to use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of appropriation; it is the shifting of funds from one object class to another within an appropriation or from one program activity to another.”27 Unlike transfers, reprogramming …
What is the main difference between transfers and reprogramming?
A transfer involves shifting funds from one appropriations account to another, while a reprogramming involves shifting funds within the same account.
How long are O&M funds available?
1 year
Operation and maintenance (O&M) funds are available for 1 year, procurement appropriations for 3 years, and construction funds for 5 years.
What are the four basic types of reprogramming actions?
These thresholds vary according to the type of appropriation. The four major types of appropriation for reprogramming are Procurement, RDT&E, Operations and Maintenance (O&M), and Military Personnel.
How are funds allowed to be reprogrammed?
Reprogramming is the use of “funds in an appropriations account for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of appropriation.” Specifically, when an agency reprograms funds, it is moving funds within an appropriation (i.e. from one “budget activity” to another “budget activity”).
Who approves below threshold reprogramming?
OMB approves the use of GTA after congressional approval is received for prior approval actions and after the reprogramming has been signed for internal reprogramming actions. D. Intelligence Programs. Authority for transfers in intelligence programs is specified in paragraph 060601.
What is a type of prior approval reprogramming action?
Two types of reprogramming actions will be used to request the prior approval of the congressional defense committees. The second type is for the annual Omnibus reprogramming action that was established in FY 1991 to streamline the reprogramming process for the congressional committees and the Department.
What is above threshold reprogramming?
The BTR thresholds represent the cumulative amount that may be reprogrammed over the life of the appropriation. No BTR increase or decrease may exceed the above thresholds or 20 percent, whichever is less, of the appropriated level for each Procurement line item or RDT&E program element.
What is an Antideficiency Act violation?
The issuance of funds by means of a formal subdivision of funds (allocation, allotment, suballotment or other formal designation of a limitation) in an amount that exceeds the amount currently available would result in a violation of the Antideficiency Act if those excess funds distributed are actually obligated or …
What is below threshold reprogramming?
Below-threshold reprogramming actions are minor actions not otherwise requiring congressional approval that may be accomplished within the DoD Components and are measured cumulatively over the entire obligation availability of the appropriation.
What is the purpose statute?
The “Purpose Statute” provides that agencies shall apply appropriations only to the objects for which the appropriations were made, except as otherwise provided by law.
What is the difference between the appropriation current and expired?
There are now three distinct phases in terms of availability of appropriations: (1)”Current,” which means the funds are available for obligation; (2) “Expired,” which means they are not available for obligation, only liquidation of previously incurred obligations or certain adjustments to these obligations; and (3) ” …
How long are Milcon funds good for?
5 years
Military Construction (MILCON). Obligation period: 5 years.
How long is procurement funding good for?
three years
Procurement funding provided to the department in a given fiscal year can usually be obligated over a period of three years. The most prominent exception is Navy Shipbuilding and Conversion funding, which is available for five years. The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division C of P.L.
What does reprogramming permit the Department of Defense do with budget authority ba?
19Q: Reprogramming permits the DoD to: 19A: Use funds for purposes other than those originally intended by Congress. 20Q: Realignment of funds between activities that are below the level of control for that appropriations category does not require a reprogramming action.
Is every violation of the purpose statute a violation of the ADA?
Every violation of the purpose statute constitutes a violation of the ADA. Which of the following is a violation that may be correctable? What conditions must exist for a violation to be correctable? What penalties can result from ADA violations?
A. Reprogramming. Reprogramming is the use of “funds in an appropriations account for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of appropriation.” Specifically, when an agency reprograms funds, it is moving funds within an appropriation (i.e. from one “budget activity” to another “budget activity”).
Which type of funds should be used to fund the construction of the barracks?
If approved, which type of funds should be used to fund the construction of the barracks? Military Construction Funds (MILCON).
Do you need to be notified of reprogramming funds?
The misdeeds at NOAA were only uncovered after agency executives received an anonymous tip on the agency hotline. All appropriations committees require at a minimum notification of reprogramming, either in statute or as instruction in committee report, hearings, or some other informal guidance.
Is it illegal to reprogram funds in an Appropriations account?
Prohibitions against reprogramming funds within an appropriations account, however, vary among agencies and appropriations subcommittees, as there are no government-wide reprogramming rules. At some level, all agencies routinely move funds around within accounts as needs shift, and as a matter of sound budgeting.
Can a government agency obligate funds for a new contract?
May obligate funds for new contracts, but only if the new contract is not a “new start.” “True or False: When an agency “reprograms” funds, there is no change in the total amount available in the appropriations account.
Why is GAI Director reprogramming funds within accounts?
By Michelle Mrdeza, Adjunct GAI Faculty and Guest Contributor, and Kenneth Gold, GAI Director Reprogramming funds within accounts is often essential for agencies as they cope with changing circumstances affecting their programs. But getting permission is anything but a “given”.
