---
kind: "section"
citation: "19 U.S.C. § 2545"
title: "19"
title_heading: "Customs Duties"
number: "2545"
heading: "Contracts and grants"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/19/2545"
units:
  - "Chapter 13 — Trade Agreements Act of 1979"
  - "Subchapter II — Technical Barriers to Trade (standards)"
  - "Part B — Functions of Federal Agencies"
---

# §2545. Contracts and grants

- (a) **In general—** For purposes of carrying out this subchapter, and otherwise encouraging compliance with the [Agreement](/usc/19/2518.md?p=1), the [Trade Representative](/usc/19/1677.md?p=32) and the [Secretary](/usc/19/1681.md?p=1) concerned may each, with respect to functions for which responsible under this subchapter, make grants to, or enter into contracts with, any other Federal [agency](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-1), any [State](/usc/19/2577.md?p=2) [agency](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-1), or any private [person](/usc/19/1683.md?p=8), to assist such [agency](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-1) or [person](/usc/19/1683.md?p=8) to implement appropriate programs and activities, including, but not limited to, programs and activities—
  - (1) to increase awareness of proposed and adopted [standards](/usc/19/2576b.md?p=5)-related activities;
  - (2) to facilitate international trade through the appropriate international and domestic [standards](/usc/19/2576b.md?p=5)-related activities;
  - (3) to provide, if appropriate, and pursuant to [section 2543 of this title](/usc/19/2543.md), adequate [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) representation in [international standards](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-5)-related activities; and
  - (4) to encourage [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) exports through increased awareness of foreign [standards](/usc/19/2576b.md?p=5)-related activities that may affect [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) exports.

  No contract entered into under this section shall be effective except to such extent, and in such amount, as is provided in advance in appropriation Acts.

- (b) **Terms and conditions—** Any contract entered into, or any grant made, under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the [Trade Representative](/usc/19/1677.md?p=32) or [Secretary](/usc/19/1681.md?p=1) concerned shall by regulation prescribe as being necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9).
- (c) **Limitations—** Financial assistance extended under this section shall not exceed 75 percent of the total costs (as established by the [Trade Representative](/usc/19/1677.md?p=32) or [Secretary](/usc/19/1681.md?p=1) concerned, as the case may be) of the program or activity for which assistance is made available. The non-Federal share of such costs shall be made in cash or kind, consistent with the maintenance of the program or activity concerned.
- (d) **Audit—** Each recipient of a grant or contract under this section shall make available to the [Trade Representative](/usc/19/1677.md?p=32) or the [Secretary](/usc/19/1681.md?p=1) concerned, as the case may be, and to the Comptroller General of the [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9), for purposes of audit and examination, any book, document, paper, and record that is pertinent to the funds received under such grant or contract.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–39, title IV, § 415, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 246; Pub. L. 103–182, title III, § 351(b)(2)(A), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2122; Pub. L. 104–295, § 21(b)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3529.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–295 amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–182. See 1993 Amendment note below.

1993—Pub. L. 103–182, as amended by Pub. L. 104–295, substituted “Trade Representative” for “Special Representative” wherever appearing.