District of Columbia Code Division I. Government of District. § 2-1201. Executive Director.

(a) The Office shall be headed by an Executive Director (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Director”), who shall be appointed by the Mayor.  The Director shall devote his full time to the duties of his Office, and shall appoint qualified staff including a “Business Ombudsman” charged primarily with the implementation of the functions provided in § 2-1201.03.  The annual compensation of the Director shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 51 of Title 5, United States Code (relating to the classification of government employees and related matters), but shall be no less than a GS-16, step 1 or equivalent compensation pursuant to the provisions of subchapter XI of Chapter 6 of Title 1.

(b) In order to best carry out his duties and responsibilities and to serve the people of the District in the promotion of business economic development, the Director may engage in programs and projects jointly with a private person, firm, corporation, or association, and may enter into contracts under terms to be mutually agreed upon to carry out such programs and projects not including acquisition of land or buildings.  Such contracts may be negotiated and shall not be subject to the provisions of § 2-225.05, insofar as such provisions relate to competitive bidding.