--- kind: "section" citation: "38 U.S.C. § 316" title: "38" title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits" number: "316" heading: "Colocation of regional offices and medical centers" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/316" units: - "Part I — General Provisions" - "Chapter 3 — Department of Veterans Affairs" --- # §316. Colocation of regional offices and medical centers - (a) To provide for a more economical, efficient, and effective operation of such regional offices, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall provide for the colocation of at least three regional offices with medical centers of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)— - (1) on real property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs at such medical centers; or - (2) on real property that is adjacent to such a medical center and is under the jurisdiction of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) as a result of being conveyed to the United States for the purpose of such colocation. - (b) - (1) In carrying out this section and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may lease, with or without [compensation](/usc/38/101.md?p=13) and for a period of not to exceed 35 years, to another party at not more than seven locations any of the real property described in paragraph [(1)](#a-1) or [(2)](#a-2) of subsection (a). - (2) Such real property shall be used as the site of a facility— - (A) constructed and owned by the lessee of such real property; and - (B) leased under [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1) to the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for such use and such other activities as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines are appropriate. - (c) - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may enter into a lease for the use of any facility described in [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2) for not more than 35 years under such terms and conditions as may be in the best interests of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1). - (2) Each agreement for such a lease shall provide— - (A) that the obligation of the United States to make payments under the agreement is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and - (B) that the ownership of the facility shall vest in the United States at the end of such lease. - (d) - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may sublease any space in such a facility to another party at a rate not less than— - (A) the rental rate paid by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for such space under [subsection (c)](#c); plus - (B) the amount the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) pays for the costs of administering such facility (including operation, maintenance, utility, and rehabilitation costs) which are attributable to such space. - (2) In any such sublease, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall include such terms relating to default and nonperformance as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. - (e) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall use the receipts of any payment for the lease of real property under [subsection (b)](#b) for the payment of the lease of a facility under [subsection (c)](#c). - (f) - (1) Subject to [paragraph (3)(A)](#f-3-A), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall, not later than April 18, 1990, issue an invitation for offers with respect to three colocations to be carried out under this section. The invitation shall include, with respect to each such colocation, at least the following: - (A) Identification of the site to be developed. - (B) Minimum office space requirements for regional office activities. - (C) Design criteria of the facility to be constructed. - (D) A plan for meeting the security and parking needs for the facility and its occupants and visitors. - (E) A statement of current and projected rents and other costs for regional office activities. - (F) The estimated cost of construction of the facility concerned, the estimated annual cost of leasing space for regional office activities in the facility, and the estimated total annual cost of leasing all space in such facility. - (G) A plan for securing appropriate licenses, easements, and rights-of-way. - (H) A list of terms and conditions the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) has approved for inclusion in the lease agreement for the facility concerned. - (2) Subject to [paragraph (3)(B)](#f-3-B), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall— - (A) not later than one year after the date on which the invitation is issued under [paragraph (1)](#f-1), enter into an agreement to carry out one colocation under this subsection; and - (B) within 180 days after entering into the agreement referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#f-2-A), enter into agreements to carry out two additional colocations, unless the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that it is not economically feasible for the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to undertake them, taking into consideration all of the tangible and intangible benefits associated with such colocations. - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall— - (A) at least 10 days before the issuance or other publication of the invitation referred to in [paragraph (1)](#f-1), submit a copy of the invitation to the Committees on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives; and - (B) at least 30 days before entering into an agreement under [paragraph (2)](#f-2), submit a copy to the Committees on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives of the proposals selected by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) from those received in response to the invitation issued under [paragraph (1)](#f-1). - (g) The authority to enter into an agreement under this section shall expire on September 30, 1992. ## Source credit (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 384.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Prior Provisions Prior section 316 was renumbered section 1116 of this title.