Title 15 — Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73
§278d Construction and improvement of buildings and facilities
Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY › § 278d
Summary
The Secretary of Commerce may use the Institute’s appropriated funds to build, improve, or repair buildings, grounds, and other facilities the Institute uses when needed for its work. The Director may keep all building‑use and depreciation surcharge fees collected under OMB Circular A–25, and must credit them to the Construction of Research Facilities Appropriation Account for maintenance and repair of the Institute’s facilities.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §278d
Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Within the limits of funds which are appropriated for the Institute, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to undertake such construction of buildings and other facilities and to make such improvements to existing buildings, grounds, and other facilities occupied or used by the Institute as are necessary for the proper and efficient conduct of the activities authorized herein.
(b)The Director is authorized to retain all building use and depreciation surcharge fees collected pursuant to OMB Circular A–25. Such fees shall be collected and credited to the Construction of Research Facilities Appropriation Account for use in maintenance and repair of the Institute’s existing facilities.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
“Herein”, referred to in subsec. (a), refers to act Mar. 3, 1901, ch. 872, which is classified generally to this chapter.
Amendments
2007—Pub. L. 110–69 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b). 1992—Pub. L. 102–245 substituted “herein.” for “herein: Provided, That no improvement shall be made nor shall any building be constructed under this authority at a cost in excess of $250,000 unless specific provision is made therefor in the appropriation concerned.” 1988—Pub. L. 100–418 substituted “Institute” for “National Bureau of Standards” wherever appearing. 1980—Pub. L. 96–461 substituted “$250,000” for $75,000”. 1972—Pub. L. 92–317 substituted “$75,000” for “$40,000”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1980 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–461 effective Oct. 1, 1980, see section 11 of Pub. L. 96–461, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 278g of this title. Facilities for Cold Neutron Research Pub. L. 101–162, title I, § 104, Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 994, provided that: “Hereafter, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is authorized to accept contributions of funds, to remain available until expended, from any public or private source to construct a facility for cold neutron research on materials, notwithstanding the limitations contained in 15 U.S.C. 278d.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 278d
Title 15 — Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73