Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102

§832g Purchase of Supplies and Services

Title 16 › CHAPTER 12B — BONNEVILLE PROJECT › § 832g

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

All buying and contracting for supplies or services (not personal services) by the Administrator or the Secretary of the Army must be advertised ahead of time so people get notice and a fair chance to compete. They decide how much advance notice is needed. No ad is required if there is an emergency needing immediate delivery; if parts or services are needed for items already supplied or contracted; or if the total cost is $500 or less, in which case purchases can be made on the open market like normal business deals. When choosing a bid, they may consider things like quality and fit, the bidder’s money and experience, honesty, ability to do repairs and maintenance, delivery time, and whether the bidder met the specs.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §832g

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all purchases and contracts made by the administrator or the Secretary of the Army for supplies or for services except for personal services, shall be made after advertising, in such manner and at such times, sufficiently in advance of opening bids, as the administrator or Secretary of the Army, as the case may be, shall determine to be adequate to insure notice and opportunity for competition. Such advertisement shall not be required, however, when (1) an emergency requires immediate delivery of the supplies or performance of the services; or (2) repair parts, accessories, supplemental equipment, or services are required for supplies or services previously furnished or contracted for; or (3) the aggregate amount involved in any purchase of supplies or procurement of services does not exceed $500; in which cases such purchases of supplies or procurement of services may be made in the open market in the manner common among businessmen. In comparing bids and in making awards, the administrator or the Secretary of the Army, as the case may be, may consider such factors as relative quality and adaptability of supplies or services, the bidder’s financial responsibility, skill, experience, record of integrity in dealing, and ability to furnish repairs and maintenance services, the time of delivery or performance offered, and whether the bidder has complied with the specifications.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act
July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. section 205(a) of act
July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted “Title 10, Armed Forces” which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Secretary of the Interior with respect to Bonneville Power Administration transferred to Secretary of Energy by section 7152(a)(1)(D), (2) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, with Bonneville Power Administration to be preserved as a distinct organizational entity within Department of Energy and headed by an Administrator.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 832g

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102