(a)  Definitions.⁠—In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)  Covered services.⁠—The term “covered services” means any guard, elevator operator, messenger, or custodial services.

(2)  Sheltered workshop.⁠—The term “sheltered workshop” means a sheltered workshop employing the severely handicapped under chapter 85 of title 41.

(b)  In General.⁠—Except as provided in subsection (c), amounts made available to the General Services Administration pursuant to section 592 of this title may not be obligated or expended to procure covered services by contract if an employee who was a permanent veterans preference employee of the Administration on November 19, 1995, would be terminated as a result.

(c)  Exception.⁠—Amounts made available to the Administration pursuant to section 592 of this title may be obligated and expended to procure covered services by contract with a sheltered workshop or, if sheltered workshops decline to contract for the provision of covered services, by competitive contract for a period of no longer than 5 years. When a competitive contract expires, or is terminated for any reason, the Administration shall again offer to procure the covered services by contract with a sheltered workshop before procuring the covered services by competitive contract.