Public Law 81–151

That title VIII of the National Housing Act, as amended, is hereby amended by adding the following new section at the end thereof:

“Sec. 809.

Whenever the Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, or his duly designated representative, determines that it is desirable in order to effectuate the purposes of this title, the Secretary is authorized, without regard to the civil service and classification laws, to procure, by negotiation or otherwise, the services of architects and engineers, or organizations thereof, under such arrangements as he deems desirable, but at an expense not in excess of that permissible under the schedule of fees allowed from time to time by the Public Housing Administration in connection with projects assisted under

50 Stat. 888.

42 U. S. C. §§ 1401–1417, 1419–1430; Sup. III, § 1401 et seq.

Ante, p. 73.

the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended. Such services may include the development of plans, drawings, and specifications for rental housing under this title and other services in connection

Use of alternate materials, etc.

therewith: Provided, That such plans, drawings, and specifications may include the use on any project to be constructed under this title of alternate materials or alternate types of construction, including prefabrication, that provide substantially equal value and conform to standards established by the Federal Housing Administration:

Sites.

Provided further, That the Secretary may designate certain sites or parts thereof for rental housing to be furnished from prefabricated houses or housing components. Such arrangements may include provision for advance or progress payments, for payment by third parties, for payment by the Government of any such compensation as is not paid for by third parties, and shall include provision for reimbursement by third parties to the Government of any compensation or other expenses paid by the Government pursuant to this section, and may include other provisions for compensation. The Secretary is further authorized to advance or pay to the Federal Housing Administration its ‘Appraisal and Eligibility Statement’ fees in connection with such rental housing. The Secretary is further authorized to procure options from private parties for the acquisition by third parties of off-installation sites intended for such rental housing. The Secretary is further authorized to enter into arrangements by contract or otherwise for eventual acquisition by the Government, without cost to the Government, of all right, title, and interest in sites on which housing is

Obligation of Appropriations.

constructed pursuant to this title and improvements thereon. Any public-works appropriations now or hereafter available to the Departments of the Army, Navy, or Air Force may be obligated by the respective departments for these purposes. Reimbursements to the Government on account of payments made pursuant to this section shall be made to appropriations against which such payments were charged.”

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