§2780. Debt collection

(a)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall enter into one or more contracts with a person for collection services to recover indebtedness owed to the United States (arising out of activities related to Department of Defense) that is delinquent by more than three months.

(2) The authority of the Secretary to enter into a contract under this section for any fiscal year is subject to the availability of appropriations.

(3) Any such contract shall provide that the person submit to the Secretary a status report on the person's success in collecting such debts at least once each six months. Section 3718 of title 31 shall apply to any such contract, to the extent not inconsistent with this subsection.

(b) The Secretary shall disclose to consumer reporting agencies, in accordance with paragraph (1) of section 3711(f) of title 31, information concerning any debt described in subsection (a) of more than $100 that is delinquent by more than 31 days.

(Added Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1309(a), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3982 .)

Contracts for Recovery of Indebtedness

Pub. L. 101–165, title IX, §9019, Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 1133 , provided that: "During the current fiscal year and hereafter, the Department of Defense may enter into contracts to recover indebtedness to the United States pursuant to section 3718 of title 31, United States Code."