; (D) payments to the Postmaster of the Senate; (E) the payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper; (F) the payment of Senate Recording and Photographic Services; or (G) the payment of franked and mass mail costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper. (b) Agency contributions There are authorized to be paid from the appropriations account for Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations of the Senate such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions related to the compensation of employees of the committee— (1) for the period March 1, 2017, through September 30, 2017; (2) for the period October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018; and (3) for the period October 1, 2018, through February 28, 2019. 5. Investigations (a) In general The committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee of the committee, is authorized to study or investigate— (1) the efficiency and economy of operations of all branches of the Government including the possible existence of fraud, misfeasance, malfeasance, collusion, mismanagement, incompetence, corruption, or unethical practices, waste, extravagance, conflicts of interest, and the improper expenditure of Government funds in transactions, contracts, and activities of the Government or of Government officials and employees and any and all such improper practices between Government personnel and corporations, individuals, companies, or persons affiliated therewith, doing business with the Government, and the compliance or noncompliance of such corporations, companies, or individuals or other entities with the rules, regulations, and laws governing the various governmental agencies and its relationships with the public