43 U.S.C. § 1457b

Use of cooperative agreements

For fiscal year 2010, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with a State or political subdivision (including any agency thereof), or any not-for-profit organization if the agreement will: (1) serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by the Department of the Interior; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objectives. At the discretion of the Secretary, such agreements shall not be subject to a competitive process.

( Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I, § 112 , Oct. 30, 2009 , 123 Stat. 2928 .)