US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

40 U.S.C. § 3305

Construction and alteration of buildings

(a)

Construction.—

(1)

Replacement of existing buildings .—

When the Administrator of General Services considers it to be in the best interest of the Federal Government to construct a new public building to take the place of an existing public building, the Administrator may demolish the existing building and use the site on which it is located for the site of the proposed public building. If the Administrator believes that it is more advantageous to construct the public building on a different site in the same city, the Administrator may exchange the building and site, or the site, for another site, or may sell the building and site in accordance with subtitle I of this title and division C (except sections 3302, 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41.
(2)

Sale or exchange of sites .—

When the Administrator decides that a site acquired for the construction of a public building is not suitable for that purpose, the Administrator may exchange the site for another site, or may sell it in accordance with subtitle I of this title and division C (except sections 3302, 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41.
(3)

Committee approval required .—

section 3307 of this titleThis subsection does not permit the Administrator to use any land as a site for a public building if the project has not been approved in accordance with .
(b)

Alteration of Buildings.—

(1)

Authority to alter buildings and acquire land .—

The Administrator may—
(A)
alter any public building; and
(B)
acquire in accordance with section 3304(b)–(d) of this title land necessary to carry out the alteration.
(2)

Committee approval not required.—

(A)

Threshold amount .—

section 3307 of this titleApproval under is not required for any alteration and acquisition authorized by this subsection for which the estimated maximum cost does not exceed $1,500,000.
(B)

Dollar amount adjustment .—

The Administrator annually may adjust the dollar amount referred to in subparagraph (A) to reflect a percentage increase or decrease in construction costs during the prior calendar year, as determined by the composite index of construction costs of the Department of Commerce. Any adjustment shall be expeditiously reported to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(c)

Construction or Alteration by Contract .—

The Administrator may carry out any construction or alteration authorized by this chapter by contract if the Administrator considers it to be most advantageous to the Government.

Pub. L. 107–217116 Stat. 1159Pub. L. 111–350, § 5l124 Stat. 3852(, , ; ()(16), , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

3305(a)

40:605.

Pub. L. 86–249, §§ 6, 9, Sept. 9, 1959, 73 Stat. 479, 481.

3305(b)(1)

40:603(a).

Pub. L. 86–249, § 4, Sept. 9, 1959, 73 Stat. 479; Pub. L. 92–313, § 2(1), June 16, 1972, 86 Stat. 216; Pub. L. 100–678, § 2, Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4049.

3305(b)(2)(A)

40:603(b).

3305(b)(2)(B)

40:606(f) (related to 40:603(b)).

Pub. L. 86–249, § 7(f) (related to § 4(b)), Sept. 9, 1959, as added Pub. L. 100–678, § 4, Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4050.

3305(c)

40:608.

41 U.S.C. 251section 111 of this titleIn subsection (a)(1) and (2), the words “and title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( et seq.)” are added to provide an accurate literal translation of the words “this Act”, meaning the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. See the revision note under .

Public Law 86–24973 Stat. 480section 1(a)(9) of the Act of June 3, 1995Public Law 104–14In subsection (b)(2)(B), the words “Transportation and Infrastructure” are substituted for “Public Works and Transportation” in section 7(f) of the Public Buildings Act of 1959 (, ) because of (, 2:21 note prec.).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 111–35041 U.S.C. 2512011—Subsec. (a)(1), (2). substituted “division C (except sections 3302, 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41” for “title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( et seq.)”.