Title 2, The CongressRelease 119-110

§1821 Small Purchase Contracting Authority

Title 2 › CHAPTER 28 — ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL › SUBCHAPTER II — GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES › § 1821

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Lets the Architect of the Capitol use simplified buying rules for purchases up to $250,000. Section 6101 of title 41 still applies, but its $25,000 limit counts as $100,000 for the Architect. He may buy security-related services, equipment, and construction as he finds efficient. Effective fiscal year 2003 onward.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §1821

The Congress, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
To promote efficiency and economy in contracting and to avoid unnecessary burdens, the Architect of the Capitol is granted authority to utilize special simplified procedures for purchases of property and services the aggregate amount of which does not exceed $250,000. Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1)section 6101 of title 41 shall apply with respect to purchases and contracts for the Architect of the Capitol as if the reference to “$25,000” in paragraph (1) of such section were a reference to “$100,000”; and
(2)the Architect may procure services, equipment, and construction for security related projects in the most efficient manner he determines appropriate.
(b)Effective date
This section shall apply to fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification In subsec. (a)(1), “section 6101 of title 41” substituted for “section 3709 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (41 U.S.C. 5)” on authority of Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts. Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003, which is div. H of Pub. L. 108–7.

Prior Provisions

Prior similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 107–68, title I, § 131, Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 581.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–244, which directed amendment of “2 U.S.C. 1821” by inserting “To promote efficiency and economy in contracting and to avoid unnecessary burdens, the Architect of the Capitol is granted authority to utilize special simplified procedures for purchases of property and services the aggregate amount of which does not exceed $250,000.” before “Notwithstanding any other provision of law—”, was executed by making the insertion in subsec. (a) of section 1201 of Pub. L. 108–7, div. H, title I, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2018 Amendment Pub. L. 115–244, div. B, title I, § 133(b), Sept. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 2936, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 1821

Title 2, The Congress

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110