---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 9619"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "9619"
heading: "Response action contractors"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/9619"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability"
  - "Subchapter I — Hazardous Substances Releases, Liability, Compensation"
---

# §9619. Response action contractors

- (a) **Liability of response action contractors—**
  - (1) **Response action contractors—** A [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) who is a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor with respect to any [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) or threatened [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) of a [hazardous substance](/usc/42/9601.md?p=14) or [pollutant or contaminant](/usc/42/9601.md?p=33) from a [vessel](/usc/42/9601.md?p=28) or [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) shall not be [liable](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) under this subchapter or under any other Federal law to any [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) for injuries, costs, [damages](/usc/42/9601.md?p=6), expenses, or other [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) (including but not limited to [claims](/usc/42/9601.md?p=4) for indemnification or contribution and [claims](/usc/42/9601.md?p=4) by third parties for death, personal injury, illness or loss of or damage to property or economic loss) which results from such [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) or threatened [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22).
  - (2) **Negligence, etc.** [Paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall not apply in the case of a [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) that is caused by conduct of the [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor which is negligent, grossly negligent, or which constitutes intentional misconduct.
  - (3) **Effect on warranties; employer liability—** Nothing in this subsection shall affect the [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) of any [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) under any warranty under Federal, [State](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27), or common law. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) of an employer who is a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor to any employee of such employer under any provision of law, including any provision of any law relating to worker’s compensation.
  - (4) **Governmental employees—** A [state](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27) employee or an employee of a political subdivision who provides services relating to [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action while acting within the scope of his authority as a governmental employee shall have the same exemption from [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) (subject to the other provisions of this section) as is provided to the [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor under this section.
- (b) **Savings provisions—**
  - (1) **Liability of other persons—** The defense provided by [section 9607(b)(3) of this title](/usc/42/9607.md?p=b-3) shall not be available to any potentially responsible party with respect to any costs or [damages](/usc/42/9601.md?p=6) caused by any act or omission of a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor. Except as provided in [subsection (a)(4)](#a-4) and the preceding sentence, nothing in this section shall affect the [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) under this chapter or under any other Federal or [State](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27) law of any [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21), other than a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor.
  - (2) **Burden of plaintiff—** Nothing in this section shall affect the plaintiff’s burden of establishing [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) under this subchapter.
- (c) **Indemnification—**
  - (1) **In general—** The President may agree to hold harmless and indemnify any [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor meeting the requirements of this subsection against any [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) (including the expenses of litigation or settlement) for negligence arising out of the contractor’s performance in carrying out [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action activities under this subchapter, unless such [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) was caused by conduct of the contractor which was grossly negligent or which constituted intentional misconduct.
  - (2) **Applicability—** This subsection shall apply only with respect to a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action carried out under written agreement with—
    - (A) the President;
    - (B) any Federal [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
    - (C) a [State](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27) or political subdivision which has entered into a contract or cooperative agreement in accordance with [section 9604(d)(1) of this title](/usc/42/9604.md?p=d-1); or
    - (D) any potentially responsible party carrying out any agreement under [section 9622 of this title](/usc/42/9622.md) (relating to settlements) or [section 9606 of this title](/usc/42/9606.md) (relating to abatement).
  - (3) **Source of funding—** This subsection shall not be subject to section [1301](/usc/31/1301.md) or [1341](/usc/31/1341.md) of title 31 or [section 6301(a)](/usc/42/6301.md) and (b) of [title 41](/usc/41.md) or to [section 9662 of this title](/usc/42/9662.md). For purposes of [section 9611 of this title](/usc/42/9611.md), amounts expended pursuant to this subsection for indemnification of any [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor (except with respect to federally owned or operated [facilities](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9)) shall be considered governmental [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) costs incurred pursuant to [section 9604 of this title](/usc/42/9604.md). If sufficient [funds](/usc/42/9601.md?p=11) are unavailable in the [Hazardous Substance](/usc/42/9601.md?p=14) Superfund established under subchapter A of [chapter 98](/usc/26/chstI/ch98.md) of title 26 to make payments pursuant to such indemnification or if the [Fund](/usc/42/9601.md?p=11) is repealed, there are authorized to be appropriated such amounts as may be necessary to make such payments.
  - (4) **Requirements—** An indemnification agreement may be provided under this subsection only if the President determines that each of the following requirements are met:
    - (A) The [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) covered by the indemnification agreement exceeds or is not covered by insurance available, at a fair and reasonable price, to the contractor at the time the contractor enters into the contract to provide [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action, and adequate insurance to cover such [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) is not generally available at the time the [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract is entered into.
    - (B) The [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor has made diligent efforts to obtain insurance coverage from non-Federal sources to cover such [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32).
    - (C) In the case of a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract covering more than one [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9), the [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor agrees to continue to make such diligent efforts each time the contractor begins work under the contract at a new [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9).
  - (5) **Limitations—**
    - (A) **Liability covered—** Indemnification under this subsection shall apply only to [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) which results from a [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) of any [hazardous substance](/usc/42/9601.md?p=14) or [pollutant or contaminant](/usc/42/9601.md?p=33) if such [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) arises out of [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action activities.
    - (B) **Deductibles and limits—** An indemnification agreement under this subsection shall include deductibles and shall place limits on the amount of indemnification to be made available.
    - (C) **Contracts with potentially responsible parties—**
      - (i) **Decision to indemnify—** In deciding whether to enter into an indemnification agreement with a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor carrying out a written contract or agreement with any potentially responsible party, the President shall determine an amount which the potentially responsible party is able to indemnify the contractor. The President may enter into such an indemnification agreement only if the President determines that such amount of indemnification is inadequate to cover any reasonable potential [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) of the contractor arising out of the contractor’s negligence in performing the contract or agreement with such party. The President shall make the determinations in the preceding sentences (with respect to the amount and the adequacy of the amount) taking into account the total net assets and resources of potentially responsible parties with respect to the [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) at the time of such determinations.
      - (ii) **Conditions—** The President may pay a [claim](/usc/42/9601.md?p=4) under an indemnification agreement referred to in [clause (i)](#c-5-C-i) for the amount determined under [clause (i)](#c-5-C-i) only if the contractor has exhausted all administrative, judicial, and common law [claims](/usc/42/9601.md?p=4) for indemnification against all potentially responsible parties participating in the clean-up of the [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) with respect to the [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) of the contractor arising out of the contractor’s negligence in performing the contract or agreement with such party. Such indemnification agreement shall require such contractor to pay any deductible established under [subparagraph (B)](#c-5-B) before the contractor may recover any amount from the potentially responsible party or under the indemnification agreement.
    - (D) **RCRA facilities—** No [owner or operator](/usc/42/9601.md?p=20-A) of a [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) regulated under the Solid Waste Disposal Act [[42 U.S.C. 6901](/usc/42/6901.md) et seq.] may be indemnified under this subsection with respect to such [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9).
    - (E) **Persons retained or hired—** A [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) retained or hired by a [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) described in [subsection (e)(2)(B)](#e-2-B) shall be eligible for indemnification under this subsection only if the President specifically approves of the retaining or hiring of such [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21).
  - (6) **Cost recovery—** For purposes of [section 9607 of this title](/usc/42/9607.md), amounts expended pursuant to this subsection for indemnification of any [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) who is a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor with respect to any [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) or threatened [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) shall be considered a cost of [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) incurred by the [United States](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27) Government with respect to such [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22).
  - (7) **Regulations—** The President shall promulgate regulations for carrying out the provisions of this subsection. Before promulgation of the regulations, the President shall develop guidelines to carry out this section. Development of such guidelines shall include reasonable opportunity for public comment.
  - (8) **Study—** The Comptroller General shall conduct a study in the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989, on the application of this subsection, including whether indemnification agreements under this subsection are being used, the number of [claims](/usc/42/9601.md?p=4) that have been filed under such agreements, and the need for this subsection. The Comptroller General shall report the findings of the study to Congress no later than September 30, 1989.
- (d) **Exception—** The exemption provided under [subsection (a)](#a) and the authority of the President to offer indemnification under [subsection (c)](#c) shall not apply to any [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) covered by the provisions of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of [section 9607(a) of this title](/usc/42/9607.md?p=a) with respect to the [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) or threatened [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) concerned if such [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) would be covered by such provisions even if such [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) had not carried out any actions referred to in [subsection (e)](#e) of this section.
- (e) **Definitions—** For purposes of this section—
  - (1) **Response action contract—** The term “[response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract” means any written contract or agreement entered into by a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor (as defined in paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection) with—
    - (A) the President;
    - (B) any Federal [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
    - (C) a [State](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27) or political subdivision which has entered into a contract or cooperative agreement in accordance with [section 9604(d)(1) of this title](/usc/42/9604.md?p=d-1); or
    - (D) any potentially responsible party carrying out an agreement under section [9606](/usc/42/9606.md) or [9622](/usc/42/9622.md) of this title;

    to provide any [remedial action](/usc/42/9601.md?p=24) under this chapter at a [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) listed on the National Priorities List, or any [removal](/usc/42/9601.md?p=23) under this chapter, with respect to any [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) or threatened [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) of a [hazardous substance](/usc/42/9601.md?p=14) or [pollutant or contaminant](/usc/42/9601.md?p=33) from the [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) or to provide any evaluation, planning, engineering, surveying and mapping, design, [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7), equipment, or any ancillary services thereto for such [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9).

  - (2) **Response action contractor—** The term “[response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor” means—
    - (A) any—
      - (i) [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) who enters into a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract with respect to any [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) or threatened [release](/usc/42/9601.md?p=22) of a [hazardous substance](/usc/42/9601.md?p=14) or [pollutant or contaminant](/usc/42/9601.md?p=33) from a [facility](/usc/42/9601.md?p=9) and is carrying out such contract; and[^1]
      - (ii) [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21), public or [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entity, conducting a field demonstration pursuant to [section 9660(b) of this title](/usc/42/9660.md?p=b); and
      - (iii) Recipients[^2] of grants (including sub-grantees) under [section 9660a](/usc/42/9660a.md)[^3] of this title for the training and education of workers who are or may be engaged in activities related to [hazardous waste](/usc/42/9601.md?p=29) [removal](/usc/42/9601.md?p=23), containment, or emergency [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) under this chapter; and[^1]
    - (B) any [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) who is retained or hired by a [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) described in [subparagraph (A)](#e-2-A) to provide any services relating to a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action; and
    - (C) any surety who after October 16, 1990, provides a bid, performance or payment bond to a [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractor, and begins activities to meet its obligations under such bond, but only in connection with such activities or obligations.
  - (3) **Insurance—** The term “insurance” means [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) insurance which is fair and reasonably priced, as determined by the President, and which is made available at the time the contractor enters into the [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract to provide [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action.
- (f) **Competition—** [Response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractors and subcontractors for program management, [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) management, architectural and engineering, surveying and mapping, and related services shall be selected in accordance with title IX of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949.[^3] The Federal selection procedures shall apply to appropriate contracts negotiated by all Federal governmental [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) involved in carrying out this chapter. Such procedures shall be followed by [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contractors and subcontractors.
- (g) **Surety bonds—**
  - (1) If under sections [3131](/usc/40/3131.md) and [3133](/usc/40/3133.md) of title 40, surety bonds are required for any direct Federal procurement of any [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract and are not waived pursuant to [section 3134 of title 40](/usc/40/3134.md), they shall be issued in accordance with sections 3131 and 3133 of title 40.
  - (2) If under applicable Federal law surety bonds are required for any direct Federal procurement of any [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract, no right of action shall accrue on the performance bond issued on such [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract to or for the use of any [person](/usc/42/9601.md?p=21) other than the obligee named in the bond.
  - (3) If under applicable Federal law surety bonds are required for any direct Federal procurement of any [response](/usc/42/9601.md?p=25) action contract, unless otherwise provided for by the procuring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) in the bond, in the event of a default, the surety’s [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) on a performance bond shall be only for the cost of completion of the contract work in accordance with the plans and specifications less the balance of [funds](/usc/42/9601.md?p=11) remaining to be paid under the contract, up to the penal sum of the bond. The surety shall in no event be [liable](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) on bonds to indemnify or compensate the obligee for loss or [liability](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32) arising from personal injury or property damage whether or not caused by a breach of the bonded contract.
  - (4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preempting, limiting, superseding, affecting, applying to, or modifying any [State](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27) laws, regulations, requirements, rules, [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) or procedures. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting, applying to, modifying, limiting, superseding, or preempting any rights, authorities, [liabilities](/usc/42/9601.md?p=32), demands, actions, causes of action, losses, judgments, [claims](/usc/42/9601.md?p=4), statutes of limitation, or obligations under Federal or [State](/usc/42/9601.md?p=27) law, which do not arise on or under the bond.
  - (5) This subsection shall not apply to bonds executed before October 17, 1990.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
[^3]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–510, title I, § 119, as added Pub. L. 99–499, title I, § 119, Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1662; amended Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(f) [title II, § 201], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–187, 1329–198; Pub. L. 101–584, § 1, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2872; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title III, § 331(a), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2373; Pub. L. 105–276, title III, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2497.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), (e)(1), (2)(A)(iii), and (f), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 96–510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767, known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9601 of this title and Tables.

The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(5)(D), is title II of Pub. L. 89–272, Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat. 997, as amended generally by Pub. L. 94–580, § 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2795, which is classified generally to chapter 82 (§ 6901 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6901 of this title and Tables.

Section 9660a of this title, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iii), was in the original “section 126” probably meaning section 126 of Pub. L. 99–499, title I, Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1690. Subsecs. (a) to (f) of section 126, which relate to worker protection standards, are set out as a note under section 655 of Title 29, Labor. Subsec. (g) of section 126, which relates to grants for training and education of workers who are or may be engaged in activities related to hazardous waste removal, etc., is classified to section 9660a of this title.

The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, referred to in subsec. (f), is act June 30, 1949, ch. 288, 63 Stat. 377. Title IX of the Act, which was classified generally to subchapter VI (§ 541 et seq.) of chapter 10 of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, was repealed and reenacted by Pub. L. 107–217, §§ 1, 6(b), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062, 1304, as chapter 11 (§ 1101 et seq.) of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works. For disposition of sections of former Title 40 to revised Title 40, see Table preceding section 101 of Title 40. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

### Codification

In subsec. (c)(3), “section 6301(a) and (b) of title 41” substituted for “section 3732 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 11)” on authority of Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.

In subsec. (g)(1), “sections 3131 and 3133 of title 40” substituted for “the Act of August 24, 1935 (40 U.S.C. 270a–270d), commonly referred to as the ‘Miller Act’ ” and for “such Act of August 24, 1935” and “section 3134 of title 40” substituted for “the Act of April 29, 1941 (40 U.S.C. 270e–270f)”, on authority of Pub. L. 107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first section of which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.

### Amendments

1998—Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 105–276 struck out “and before January 1, 1996,” after “1990,”.

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 105–276 struck out “, or after December 31, 1995” before period at end.

1992—Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 102–484, § 321(a)(1)(A), substituted “January 1, 1996,” for “January 1, 1993”.

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 102–484, § 331(a)(2), substituted “the Act of August 24, 1935 (40 U.S.C. 270a–270d), commonly referred to as the ‘Miller Act’,” for “the Miller Act, 40 U.S.C. sections 270a–270f,”, inserted “and are not waived pursuant to the Act of April 29, 1941 (40 U.S.C. 270e–270f)”, and substituted “in accordance with such Act of August 24, 1935.” for “in accordance with 40 U.S.C. sections 270a–270d.”

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 102–484, § 331(a)(1)(B), substituted “December 31, 1995” for “December 31, 1992”.

1990—Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 101–584, § 1(1), (2), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101–584, § 1(3), added subsec. (g).

1987—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 100–202 added cl. (iii).

1986—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Coordination of Titles I to IV of Pub. L. 99–499

Any provision of titles I to IV of Pub. L. 99–499, imposing any tax, premium, or fee; establishing any trust fund; or authorizing expenditures from any trust fund, to have no force or effect, see section 531 of Pub. L. 99–499, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.