30 U.S.C. § 602

(a) The Secretary shall dispose of materials under this subchapter to the highest responsible qualified bidder after formal advertising and such other public notice as he deems appropriate: Provided, however , That the Secretary may authorize negotiation of a contract for the disposal of materials if— (1) the contract is for the sale of less than two hundred fifty thousand board-feet of timber; or, if (2) the contract is for the disposal of materials to be used in connection with a public works improvement program on behalf of a Federal, State or local governmental agency and the public exigency will not permit the delay incident to advertising; or, if (3) the contract is for the disposal of property for which it is impracticable to obtain competition. (b) Repealed. Pub. L. 96–470, title I, § 102(a) , Oct. 19, 1980 , 94 Stat. 2237 .