U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

§ 5217. Contracting procedures

(a) Streamlined process

For purposes of this chapter, the Secretary may waive specific provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation upon a determination that urgent and compelling circumstances make compliance with such provisions contrary to the public interest. Any such determination, and the justification for such determination, shall be submitted to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate within 7 days.

(b) Additional contracting requirements

In any solicitation or contract where the Secretary has, pursuant to subsection (a), waived any provision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation pertaining to minority contracting, the Secretary shall develop and implement standards and procedures to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the inclusion and utilization of minorities (as such term is defined in section 1204(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1811 note )) and women, and minority- and women-owned businesses (as such terms are defined in section 1441a (r)(4) of this title), and individuals with disabilities and businesses owned by individuals with disabilities (for purposes of this subsection the term “individual with disability” has the same meaning as the term “handicapped individual” as that term is defined in section 632 (f) of title 15), in that solicitation or contract, including contracts to asset managers, servicers, property managers, and other service providers or expert consultants.

Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the Corporation—

(1) shall be eligible for, and shall be considered in, the selection of asset managers for residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage-backed securities; and

(2) shall be reimbursed by the Secretary for any services provided.

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