Except as provided in subsection (c), commercial services contracts shall be awarded by the Secretary through a competitive selection process.
Before awarding a new commercial services contract, the Secretary shall publicly solicit proposals for the contract, except as provided in subsection (c). In connection with such solicitation, the Secretary shall prepare a request for proposals and shall publish notice of its availability.
(Added Pub. L. 114–289, title VII, § 701, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1493.)