The Secretary may carry out any construction or alteration authorized under this subchapter by contract if the Secretary considers it to be advantageous to the United States to do so.
The Secretary may obtain, by contract or otherwise, the services of individuals who are architects or engineers and of architectural and engineering corporations and firms, to the extent that the Secretary may require such services for any medical facility authorized to be constructed or altered under this subchapter.
No corporation, firm, or individual may be employed under the authority of paragraph (1) of this subsection on a permanent basis.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary shall be responsible for all construction authorized under this subchapter, including the interpretation of construction contracts, the approval of materials and workmanship supplied pursuant to a construction contract, approval of changes in the construction contract, certification of vouchers for payments due the contractor, and final settlement of the contract.
Pub. L. 96–22, title III, § 301(a)93 Stat. 58Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(b)(1)105 Stat. 238Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1)105 Stat. 404(Added , , , § 5006; renumbered § 8106, , , ; amended , (2)(E), , , 405.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 102–40section 5006 of this title1991— renumbered as this section.
Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
section 302 of Pub. L. 96–22section 8101 of this titleSection effective , but not applicable with respect to the acquisition, construction, or alteration of any medical facilities if the acquisition, construction, or alteration (not including exchange) was approved by the President before , see , set out as a note under .