The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is act June 30, 1949, ch. 288, 63 Stat. 377, as amended. Except for title III of the Act, which is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 251 et seq.) of chapter 4 of Title 41, Public Contracts, the Act was repealed and reenacted by Pub. L. 107–217, §§ 1, 6 (b), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062, 1304, as chapters 1 to 11 of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.

A prior section 4 of act Mar. 3, 1925, related to exportation of helium gas and was classified to section 165 of this title, prior to repeal by act Aug. 26, 1954, ch. 937, title V, § 542(a)(13), 68 Stat. 861.

1996—Pub. L. 104–273 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of single par. authorizing Secretary to maintain and operate helium production and purification plants and to conduct or contract for research as to helium production, purification, transportation, liquefaction, storage, and utilization.