Title 40 — Public Buildings, Property, and WorksRelease 119-73
§113 Limitations
Title 40 › Subtitle SUBTITLE I— - FEDERAL PROPERTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - GENERAL › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - SCOPE › § 113
Summary
Gives extra authority on top of other laws, unless another part of the law says otherwise. That authority must follow division B of subtitle I of title 41. Sections 121(b) and 506(c) do not apply to a government corporation or agency covered by chapter 91 of title 31. The rules do not apply to the Senate or the House of Representatives (including the Architect of the Capitol). Still, services and facilities should be offered to Congress and the Architect when they ask. If a similar service would cost an executive agency money, the congressional recipient must pay with proper vouchers, either in advance or by reimbursement as agreed with the Administrator of General Services. Payment can be credited to the agency’s appropriation. Does not reduce or change the powers of many named officials and agencies. That list includes the President under the Philippine Property Act of 1946 (22 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.); executive agencies running resale, price-support, farm, stabilization, foreign-aid, relief, or rehabilitation programs (they should coordinate with these rules when practical); Department of Defense and the military service Secretaries on certain matters (including occupied territories, section 4881, and the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.)); the Secretary of State under the Foreign Service Buildings Act (22 U.S.C. 292 et seq.); the Secretary of Agriculture under several food and farm laws (including 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq., ch. 964, 60 Stat. 1062, 7 U.S.C. 612c, 7 U.S.C. 1291, and 7 U.S.C. 1622(j)); Farm Credit Act entities; HUD and the FDIC on residential and mortgage-related property; the Tennessee Valley Authority; the Secretary of Energy on atomic energy; Transportation and Commerce for airport and airway property (49 U.S.C. 47301); the United States Postal Service; the Maritime Administration for ships and related facilities; the CIA; the Joint Committee on Printing; the Secretary of the Interior for Bonneville Project Act work (16 U.S.C. 832 et seq.); the Secretary of State for foreign facilities and reception centers; and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Full Legal Text
Title 40, §113
Public Buildings, Property, and Works — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the authority conferred by this subtitle is in addition to any other authority conferred by law and is not subject to any inconsistent provision of law.
(b)The authority conferred by this subtitle is subject to division B (Except 11 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized. section 1 1704 and 2303) of subtitle I of title 41.
(c)section 121(b) and 506(c) of this title do not apply to a Government corporation or agency that is subject to chapter 91 of title 31.
(d)This subtitle does not apply to the Senate or the House of Representatives (including the Architect of the Capitol and any building, activity, or function under the direction of the Architect). However, services and facilities authorized by this subtitle shall, as far as practicable, be made available to the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Architect of the Capitol on their request. If payment would be required for providing a similar service or facility to an executive agency, payment shall be made by the recipient, on presentation of proper vouchers, in advance or by reimbursement (as may be agreed upon by the Administrator of General Services and the officer or body making the request). The payment may be credited to the applicable appropriation of the executive agency receiving the payment.
(e)Nothing in this subtitle impairs or affects the authority of—
(1)the President under the Philippine Property Act of 1946 (22 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.);
(2)an executive agency, with respect to any program conducted for purposes of resale, price support, grants to farmers, stabilization, transfer to foreign governments, or foreign aid, relief, or rehabilitation, but the agency carrying out the program shall, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the purposes of the program and the effective, efficient conduct of agency business, coordinate its operations with the requirements of this subtitle and with policies and regulations prescribed under this subtitle;
(3)an executive agency named in section 3063 of title 10, and the head of the agency, with respect to the administration of the provisions of that title referred to in section 3016 of such title as “chapter 137 legacy provisions”;
(4)the Secretary of Defense with respect to property required for or located in occupied territories;
(5)the Secretary of Defense with respect to the administration of section 4881 of title 10;
(6)the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force with respect to the administration of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.);
(7)the Secretary of State under the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926 (22 U.S.C. 292 et seq.);
(8)the Secretary of Agriculture under—
(A)the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
(B)the Farmers Home Administration Act of 1946 (ch. 964, 60 Stat. 1062);
(C)section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), with respect to the exportation and domestic consumption of agricultural products;
(D)section 201 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1291); or
(E)section 203(j) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(j));
(9)an official or entity under the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.), with respect to the acquisition or disposal of property;
(10)the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (or an officer of the Corporation) with respect to the disposal of—
(A)residential property; or
(B)other property—
(i)acquired or held as part of, or in connection with, residential property; or
(ii)held in connection with the insurance of mortgages, loans, or savings association accounts under the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq.), or any other law;
(11)the Tennessee Valley Authority with respect to nonpersonal services, with respect to section 501(c) of this title, and with respect to property acquired in connection with a program of processing, manufacture, production, or force account construction, but the Authority shall, to the maximum extent it considers practicable, consistent with the purposes of its program and the effective, efficient conduct of its business, coordinate its operations with the requirements of this subtitle and with policies and regulations prescribed under this subtitle;
(12)the Secretary of Energy with respect to atomic energy;
(13)the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of Commerce with respect to the disposal of airport property and airway property (as those terms are defined in section 47301 of title 49) for use as such property;
(14)the United States Postal Service;
(15)the Maritime Administration with respect to the acquisition, procurement, operation, maintenance, preservation, sale, lease, charter, construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning (including outfitting and equipping incidental to construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning) of a merchant vessel or shipyard, ship site, terminal, pier, dock, warehouse, or other installation necessary or appropriate for carrying out a program of the Administration authorized by law or nonadministrative activities incidental to a program of the Administration authorized by law, but the Administration shall, to the maximum extent it considers practicable, consistent with the purposes of its programs and the effective, efficient conduct of its activities, coordinate its operations with the requirements of this subtitle and with policies and regulations prescribed under this subtitle;
(16)the Central Intelligence Agency;
(17)the Joint Committee on Printing, under title 44 or any other law;
(18)the Secretary of the Interior with respect to procurement for program operations under the Bonneville Project Act of 1937 (16 U.S.C. 832 et seq.);
(19)the Secretary of State with respect to the furnishing of facilities in foreign countries and reception centers within the United States; or
(20)the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 113(a)40:474(c) (words before 1st comma).June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title VI, § 602(c)–(e), formerly § 502(c)–(e), 63 Stat. 401; renumbered § 602(c)–(e), Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, § 6(a), (b), 64 Stat. 583; Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, §§ 7(e), (f), 8(c), 64 Stat. 590, 591; Pub. L. 85–726, title XIV, § 1406, Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 808; Pub. L. 87–456, title III, § 303(b), May 24, 1962, 76 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 89–343, § 6, Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1303; Pub. L. 90–19, § 7, May 25, 1967, 81 Stat. 22; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(m)(2), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 782; Pub. L. 93–400, § 15(4), Aug. 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 800; Pub. L. 96–60, title II, § 203(c), Aug. 15, 1979, 93 Stat. 399; Pub. L. 96–83, § 10(b), Oct. 10, 1979, 93 Stat. 652; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(13), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 154; Pub. L. 98–191, §§ 8(d)(2), 9(a)(3), Dec. 1, 1983, 97 Stat. 1331; Pub. L. 101–73, title VII, § 744(f), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 438; Pub. L. 106–78, title VII, § 752(b)(14), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1170. 113(b)40:474(c) (words between 1st and last commas). 113(c)40:474(c) (words after last comma). 113(d)40:474(e). 113(e)40:474(d). In subsection (a), the word “paramount” is omitted as included in “not subject to any inconsistent provision”. In subsection (c), the words “chapter 91 of title 31” are substituted for “the Government Corporation Control Act (59 Stat. 597; 31 U.S.C. 841)” in section 602(c) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, because of section 4(b) of the Act of September 13, 1982 (Public Law 97–258, 96 Stat. 1067). In subsection (e), the text of 40:474(d)(8) is omitted because 50 App.:1171(b) was repealed by section 53 of the Act of August 10, 1956 (ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641). The text of 40:474(d)(19) is omitted as obsolete. In subsection (e)(2), the words “any phase (including, but not limited to, procurement, storage, transportation, processing, and disposal) of” and “the fulfillment of” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (e)(3), the words “chapter 137 of title 10” and “that chapter” are substituted for “Armed Services Procurement Act of 1947” and “said Act” in section 602(d)(3) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, because of section 49(b) of the Act of August 10, 1956 (ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 640). In subsection (e)(4), the words “Secretary of Defense” are substituted for “National Military Establishment” in section 602(d)(4) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, because of section 12(a), (g) of the National Security Act
Amendments
of 1949 (ch. 412, 63 Stat. 591) and because of 10:113(a). In subsection (e)(5), the words “section 2535 of title 10” are substituted for “the National Industrial Reserve Act of 1948 [50 U.S.C. 451 et seq.]” because the National Industrial Reserve Act was renamed “Defense Industrial Reserve Act” by section 809 of the Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1974 (Public Law 93–155, 87 Stat. 617), and transferred to section 2535 of title 10 by section 4235 of the Defense Conversion, Reinvestment and Transition Assistance Act of 1992, which was included as Division D in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Public Law 102–484, title XLII, 106 Stat. 2690). In subsection (e)(6), the words “the Munitions Board” are omitted because section 1 and 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953 (eff.
June 30, 1953, 67 Stat. 638) abolished the Munitions Board and transferred the Board’s functions to the Secretary of Defense. In subsection (e)(8), the words “or the Department of Agriculture” are omitted as unnecessary because of section 1 of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (eff.
June 30, 1953, 67 Stat. 638). The words “the Act of
August 31, 1947, Public Law 298, Eightieth Congress, with respect to the disposal of labor supply centers, and labor homes, labor camps, or facilities” are omitted because the intended reference is probably to the Act of
July 31, 1947 (ch. 413, 61 Stat. 694), which was repealed by section 205(a) of the Housing Act of 1950 (ch. 94, 64 Stat. 73). In subsection (e)(9), the words “an official or entity under the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.)” are substituted for “the Secretary of Agriculture, Farm Credit Administration, or any farm credit board under section 640l(b) of title 12” because section 5.40(a), formerly 5.26(a), of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12:2001 note), repealed 12:640l, and provided that “[a]ll references in other legislation . . . to the Acts repealed hereby shall be deemed to refer to comparable provisions of [the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.)]”. In subsection (e)(10), the words “Secretary of Housing and Urban Development” are substituted for “Department of Housing and Urban Development” because of 42:3532. The words “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation” are substituted for “Resolution Trust Corporation” because under 12:1441a(m)(1), the Resolution Trust Corporation terminated on
December 31, 1995, and was succeeded by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In subsection (e)(11), the words “property acquired in connection with” are substituted for “any property acquired or to be acquired for or in connection with” to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (e)(12), the words “the Secretary of Energy with respect to atomic energy” are substituted for “the Atomic Energy Commission” because the Atomic Energy Commission was abolished and its functions were transferred to the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration by section 104 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42:5814), and the Energy Research and Development Administration was subsequently terminated and its functions transferred to the Secretary of Energy by section 301(a) and 703 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42:7151(a), 42:7293). In subsection (e)(13), the words “Secretary of Transportation” are substituted for “Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency” in section 602(d)(14) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 because of section 3(e) and 6(c)(1) of the Department of Transportation Act (Public Law 89–670, 80 Stat. 932, 938), because of 49:106(f) and (g), and because of 49:ch. 473. The words “Secretary of Commerce” are substituted for “Chief of the Weather Bureau” in section 602(d)(14) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 because the office of Chief of the Weather Bureau was abolished and functions were transferred to the Secretary of Commerce by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1965 (eff.
July 13, 1965, 79 Stat. 1318). The words “section 47301 of title 49” are substituted for “the International Aviation Facilities Act (62 Stat. 450)” in section 602(d)(14) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 because of section 6(b) of the Act of
July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 1378). In subsection (e)(17), the words “title 44 or any other law” are substituted for “the Act entitled ‘An Act providing for the public printing and binding and the distribution of public documents’ approved
January 12, 1895 (28 Stat. 601), as amended or any other Act” in section 602(d)(18) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 because of section 2(b) of the Act of
October 22, 1968 (Public Law 90–620, 82 Stat. 1305), the first section of which enacted Title 44, United States Code. In subsection (e)(19), the words “Secretary of State” are substituted for “Director of the International Communication Agency” [subsequently changed to “Director of the United States Information Agency” because of section 303(b) of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1982 and 1983 (Public Law 97–241, 96 Stat. 291)] because of 22:6551.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Philippine Property Act of 1946, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is act July 3, 1946, ch. 536, 60 Stat. 418, which is classified generally to subchapter V (§ 1381 et seq.) of chapter 15 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 1381 of Title 22 and Tables. The Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(6), is act
June 7, 1939, ch. 190, as revised generally by Pub. L. 96–41, § 2,
July 30, 1979, 93 Stat. 319, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 98 et seq.) of chapter 5 of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 98 of Title 50 and Tables. The Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, referred to in subsec. (e)(7), is act
May 7, 1926, ch. 250, 44 Stat. 403, which is classified generally to chapter 8 (§ 292 et seq.) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 299 of Title 22 and Tables. The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(8)(A), is act
June 4, 1946, ch. 281, 60 Stat. 230, which is classified generally to chapter 13 (§ 1751 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 1751 of Title 42 and Tables. The Farmers Home Administration Act of 1946, referred to in subsec. (e)(8)(B), is act Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 964, 60 Stat. 1062. Such act was substantially repealed by act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, § 21, 62 Stat. 862, and act Aug. 8, 1961, Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 341(a), 75 Stat. 318. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. The Farm Credit Act of 1971, referred to in subsec. (e)(9), is Pub. L. 92–181, Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 583, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§ 2001 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 2001 of Title 12 and Tables. The National Housing Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(10)(B)(ii), is act June 27, 1934, ch. 847, 48 Stat. 1246, which is classified principally to chapter 13 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1701 of Title 12 and Tables. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(10)(B)(ii), is act Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 967, § 2, 64 Stat. 873, which is classified generally to chapter 16 (§ 1811 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 1811 of Title 12 and Tables. The Bonneville Project Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (e)(18), is act Aug. 20, 1937, ch. 720, 50 Stat. 731, which is classified generally to chapter 12B (§ 832 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 832 of Title 16 and Tables.
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 117–81, § 1702(g)(1)(A), substituted “section 3063” for “chapter 137” and “the provisions of that title referred to in section 3016 of such title as ‘chapter 137 legacy provisions’;” for “that chapter;”. Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 117–81, § 1702(g)(1)(B), substituted “section 4881” for “section 2535”. 2011—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted “Division B (Except section 1704 and 2303) of Subtitle I of Title 41” for “the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act” in heading and “division B (Except section 1704 and 2303) of subtitle I of title 41” for “the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)” in text. 2004—Subsec. (e)(20). Pub. L. 108–458 added par. (20).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2004 AmendmentFor Determination by President that amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 take effect on Apr. 21, 2005, see Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 21, 2005, 70 F.R. 23925, set out as a note under section 3001 of Title 50, War and National Defense. Amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 effective not later than six months after Dec. 17, 2004, except as otherwise expressly provided, see section 1097(a) of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as an
Effective Date
of 2004 Amendment; Transition Provisions note under section 3001 of Title 50, War and National Defense.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
40 U.S.C. § 113
Title 40 — Public Buildings, Property, and Works
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73