2 U.S.C. § 1821
Section 1821 · Small purchase contracting authority
Amended 2 times on record
Applied in 1 court decisions — leading case Settlers' Housing Service, Inc. v. Schaumburg Bank & Trust Co. (In re Settlers' Housing Service, Inc.) (2017)
Most recently applied in Settlers' Housing Service, Inc. v. Schaumburg Bank & Trust Co. (In re Settlers' Housing Service, Inc.) (May 2017)
How often courts cite this section
Court decisions citing this, by year.Markers show enactment, consequential amendments, and circuit splits over this section — watch for a citation surge after a change or a disagreement. The dip in the last several years is a data-coverage gap, not a real trend — our corpus holds fewer opinions from the most recent years, so recent citations are undercounted.
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.
This section shall apply to fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter.
Editorial notes U.S. Code · Office of the Law Revision Counsel
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.
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."