CONSTRUCTION DESIGN AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

SEC. 3125. CONSTRUCTION DESIGN AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. (a) In General.— (1) Within the amounts authorized by this title, the Secretary of Energy may carry out advance planning 108 STAT. 3084and construction design (including architectural and engineering services) in connection with any proposed construction project if the total estimated cost for such planning and design does not exceed $3,000,000. (2) In the case of any project in which the total estimated cost for advance planning and construction design exceeds $600,000, the Secretary snail notify the congressional defense committees in writing of the details of such project at least 30 days before any funds are obligated for advance planning and construction design for such project. (b) Specific Authority Required.— In any case in which the total estimated cost for advance planning and construction design in connection with any proposed construction project exceeds $3,000,000, funds for such planning and design must be specifically authorized by law. (c) Requirement of Conceptual Design.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2) and except as provided in paragraph (3), before submitting to Congress a request for funds for a construction project that is in support of a national security program of the Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall complete a conceptual design for that project. (2) In any case in which the total estimated cost of completing a conceptual design for a construction project exceeds $3,000,000, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a request for hinds for the conceptual design before the Secretary submits a request for funds for the construction project. (3) The requirement in paragraph (1) does not apply to a request for funds— (A) for a construction project the total estimated cost of which is less than $2,000,000; or (B) for emergency planning, design, and construction activities under section 3126.