(a) When you meet the requirements for operating an in-house aviation program contained in OMB Circular A-76, “Performance of Commercial Activities” and OMB Circular A-11, “Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget,” Part 2, “Preparation and Submission of Budget Estimates,” Section 25.5, “Summary of Requirements,” Table 1, which refers to the Business Case for Acquisition and Maintenance of Aircraft, and Section 51.18, “Budgeting for the acquisition of capital assets,” subparagraph (d) (Both circulars are available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb), you may—

(1) Acquire Federal aircraft when—

(i) Aircraft are the optimum means of supporting your agency's official business;

(ii) You do not have aircraft that can support your agency's official business safely (e.g., in compliance with applicable safety standards and regulations) and cost-effectively;

(iii) No commercial or other Governmental source is available to provide aviation services safely (i.e., in compliance with applicable safety standards and regulations) and cost-effectively; and

(iv) Congress has specifically authorized your agency to purchase, lease, or transfer aircraft and to maintain and operate those aircraft (see 31 U.S.C. 1343);

(2) Acquire Commercial Aviation Services (CAS) when—

(i) Aircraft are the optimum means of supporting your agency's official business; and

(ii) Using commercial aircraft and services is safe (i.e., conforms to applicable laws, safety standards, and regulations) and is more cost effective than using Federal aircraft, aircraft from any other Governmental source, or scheduled air carriers.

(b) When acquiring aircraft, aircraft selection must be based on need, a strong business case, and life-cycle cost analysis, which conform to OMB Circular A-11, “Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget,” Part 2, “Preparation and Submission of Budget Estimates,” Section 25.5, “Summary of Requirements,” Table 1, which refers to the Business Case for Acquisition and Maintenance of Aircraft (available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb).