What is the name of the law that prohibits an obligation in excess of the appropriated amount permitted by agency regulations?

The correct answer is the Anti-Deficiency Act. This law is crucial in government financial management as it explicitly prohibits federal agencies from incurring obligations or expenditures that exceed the amount appropriated by Congress. The main purpose of the Anti-Deficiency Act is to ensure fiscal responsibility and maintain control over government finances. By restricting obligations to what has been officially appropriated, the Act helps to prevent overspending and requires agencies to stay within their designated budgets, thus promoting accountability within federal spending practices.

Understanding the implications of the Anti-Deficiency Act is essential for those involved in systems acquisition management, as it directly affects how agencies plan and execute their budgets when procuring goods and services. This law aligns with the principles of sound financial management, ensuring that agencies cannot overextend their financial commitments beyond the resources allocated to them.