Naval salvage facilities: contracts for commercial facilities

§ 7361. Naval salvage facilities: contracts for commercial facilities (a) The Secretary of the Navy may provide, by contract or otherwise, necessary salvage facilities for public and private vessels upon such terms as he determines to be in the best interest of the United States. (b) The Secretary shall submit to the Secretary of Commerce for recommendation and comment each proposed contract for salvage facilities that affects the interests of the Department of Commerce. (c) Term contracts for salvage facilities may be made under this section only if— (1) the Secretary of the Navy determines that available commercial salvage facilities are inadequate to meet the requirements of national defense; and (2) public notice of the intention to enter into the contracts has been given in a manner and for a period that will, in the Secretary’s judgment, provide the maximum competition for such contracts among commercial salvage organizations.