The Departmental and Legislative Service is under the direction of a Deputy General Counsel who reports directly to the General Counsel. The Deputy General Counsel supervises and coordinates the work of two Divisions, each of which is headed by an Assistant General Counsel:

The Business and Administrative Law Division provides legal services to Department officials concerning business management and administrative activities throughout the Department, including contracts, grants, procurement, labor relations, appropriations, budget, compensation, employment, EEO, the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Government in Sunshine Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the Equal Access to Justice Act. The Division also provides advice and representation regarding organizational matters involving the Department, the Department's Federal Surplus Property Program, and claims by and against the Department.

In performing its responsibilities, the Division:

• Provides services required by the Department in connection with court litigation, including development of litigation positions, preparation of documents for submission in court, and explanation of cases to the Department of Justice.

• Provides formal and informal legal advice to officials of the Department.

• Drafts or reviews drafts of legislation, regulations, preambles, responses to public comment, and other supporting documents, and participates in public hearings necessary for the development of regulations for the Department.

• Provides legal services required by the Department relating to the conduct of administrative proceedings (such as audit appeals, contested contracts, and personnel actions), including presentation of cases before Administrative Law Judges, the General Services Board of Contract Appeals, the General Accounting Office, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In performing its responsibilities, the Division:

• Drafts or coordinates the drafting of all proposed legislation originating in the Department and reviews all proposed legislation submitted to the Department for comment.

• Prepares or reviews letters to Congressional Committees, the Office of Management and Budget, and others on proposed and pending legislation.

• Reviews proposed testimony of Departmental officials before Congressional Committees relating to proposed or pending legislation.

• Manages the review within the Department of material relating to proposed or pending legislation.