2021 US Code
Title 41 - Public Contracts
Subtitle IV - Miscellaneous
Chapter 87 - Kickbacks
Sec. 8701 - Definitions

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Citation 41 U.S.C. § 8701 (2021)
Section Name §8701. Definitions
Section Text

In this chapter:

(1) Contracting agency.—The term "contracting agency", when used with respect to a prime contractor, means a department, agency, or establishment of the Federal Government that enters into a prime contract with a prime contractor.

(2) Kickback.—The term "kickback" means any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value, or compensation of any kind that is provided to a prime contractor, prime contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee to improperly obtain or reward favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or a subcontract relating to a prime contract.

(3) Person.—The term "person" means a corporation, partnership, business association of any kind, trust, joint-stock company, or individual.

(4) Prime contract.—The term "prime contract" means a contract or contractual action entered into by the Federal Government to obtain supplies, materials, equipment, or services of any kind.

(5) Prime contractor.—The term "prime contractor" means a person that has entered into a prime contract with the Federal Government.

(6) Prime contractor employee.—The term "prime contractor employee" means an officer, partner, employee, or agent of a prime contractor.

(7) Subcontract.—The term "subcontract" means a contract or contractual action entered into by a prime contractor or subcontractor to obtain supplies, materials, equipment, or services of any kind under a prime contract.

(8) Subcontractor.—The term "subcontractor"—

(A) means a person, other than the prime contractor, that offers to furnish or furnishes supplies, materials, equipment, or services of any kind under a prime contract or a subcontract entered into in connection with the prime contract; and

(B) includes a person that offers to furnish or furnishes general supplies to the prime contractor or a higher tier subcontractor.


(9) Subcontractor employee.—The term "subcontractor employee" means an officer, partner, employee, or agent of a subcontractor.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3838.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
8701 41:52. Mar. 8, 1946, ch. 80, §2, 60 Stat. 37; Pub. L. 86–695, Sept. 2, 1960, 74 Stat. 740; Pub. L. 99–634, §2(a), Nov. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 3523.

In this section, the text of 41:52(3) is omitted because of the definition of "person" in 1:1.

In paragraph (2), the words "directly or indirectly" are omitted as unnecessary.

SENATE REVISION AMENDMENT

Senate amendment 4726 (111th Cong.) added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (8) as (4) to (9), respectively. See 156 Cong. Rec. 18683 (2010).

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 41 - PUBLIC CONTRACTS
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 41 - PUBLIC CONTRACTS
Subtitle IV - Miscellaneous
CHAPTER 87 - KICKBACKS
Sec. 8701 - Definitions
Contains section 8701
Date 2021
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 3, 2022
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 60 Stat. 37
74 Stat. 740
100 Stat. 3523
124 Stat. 3838
Public Law References Public Law 86-695, Public Law 99-634, Public Law 111-350
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