The Secretary of the Air Force is authorized to establish and develop within and without the continental limits of the United States in fulfilling the air defense responsibilities of the Department of the Air Force such land-based air warning and control installations and facilities, by the construction, installation, or equipment of temporary or permanent public works, including buildings, facilities, appurtenances, utilities, and access roads, and to provide for necessary administration and planning therefor, without regard to section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31, as he may deem necessary in the interest of national security: Provided, That not to exceed $85,500,000 shall be appropriated for the construction of public works authorized by this section. The Secretary of the Air Force is authorized to procure communication services required for the semiautomatic ground environment system. No contract for such services may be for a period of more than ten years from the date communication services are first furnished under such contract. The aggregate contingent liability of the Government under the termination provisions of all contracts authorized hereunder may not exceed a total of $222,000,000 and the Government Accountability Office shall have access to such carrier records and accounts as it may deem necessary for the purpose of audit. In procuring such services, the Secretary of the Air Force shall utilize to the fullest extent practicable the facilities and capabilities of communication common carriers, including rural telephone cooperatives, within their respective service areas and for power supply, shall utilize to the fullest extent practicable, the facilities and capabilities of public utilities and rural electric cooperatives within their respective service areas. Negotiations with communication common carriers, including cooperatives, and representation in proceedings involving such carriers before Federal and State regulatory bodies where such negotiations or proceedings involve contracts authorized by this paragraph shall be in accordance with the provisions of sections 501–505 of title 40.

(Mar. 30, 1949, ch. 41, § 1, 63 Stat. 17; Aug. 3, 1956, ch. 939, title III, § 303, 70 Stat. 1012; Pub. L. 97–214, § 10(b)(4), July 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 175; Pub. L. 104–316, title I, § 128(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3841; Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814.)