Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and WorksRelease 119-102
§3171 Contract Authority When Appropriation Is for Less Than Full Amount
Title 40 › SUBTITLE II — PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS › PART A — GENERAL › CHAPTER 31 — GENERAL › SUBCHAPTER VI — MISCELLANEOUS › § 3171
Summary
Unless Congress directs otherwise, the GSA Administrator may contract for up to the cost Congress set to buy or enlarge sites or to build or repair public buildings, even if only part of the money is provided.
Full Legal Text
Title 40, §3171
Public Buildings, Property, and Works, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Unless specifically directed otherwise, the Administrator of General Services may make a contract within the full limit of the cost fixed by Congress for the acquisition of land for sites, or for the enlargement of sites, for public buildings, or for the erection, remodeling, extension, alteration, and repairs of public buildings, even though an appropriation is made for only part of the amount necessary to carry out legislation authorizing that purpose.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 317140:261.May 30, 1908, ch. 228, § 34, 35 Stat. 545. The words “On and after May 30, 1908” are omitted as obsolete. The words “Administrator of General Services” are substituted for “Secretary of the Treasury” [subsequently changed to “Federal Works Administrator” because of section 303 of Reorganization Plan No. I of 1939 (eff. July 1, 1939, 53 Stat. 1427)] because of section 103(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (ch. 288, 63 Stat. 380), which is restated as section 303(c) [303(b)] of the revised title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
40 U.S.C. § 3171
Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102