More like this: let’s say you are a GS-13 working at CDC. Eventually you would very much like to make more money working at the Foundation some day.
Independent entities on paper perhaps, but the GS-13 had best not cross swords too often with the Foundation. Persona non grata do not get their dream jobs.
Can work the other way too. A scientifically credentialed member of the Foundation may be asked to take one for the team by rotating down to CDC for a tour or two. It can get very incestuous.
Thanks.
It always pays to be reminded that a bureaucracy is more anally retentive about “CoC issues” than the military.