---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 5673"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "5673"
heading: "Contracting authority to expand agricultural export markets"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/5673"
units:
  - "Chapter 87 — Export Promotion"
  - "Subchapter IV — General Provisions"
  - "Part B — Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §5673. Contracting authority to expand agricultural export markets

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/5602.md?p=3) may contract with individuals for [services](/usc/7/5602.md?p=4) to be performed outside the [United States](/usc/7/5602.md?p=6) as the [Secretary](/usc/7/5602.md?p=3) determines necessary or appropriate for carrying out programs and activities to maintain, develop, or enhance export [markets](/usc/7/198.md?p=1) for [United States agricultural commodities](/usc/7/5602.md?p=7) and products.
- (b) **Not employees of United States—** Individuals referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) shall not be regarded as officers or employees of the [United States](/usc/7/5602.md?p=6).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–501, title IV, § 413, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, § 1531, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3685.)