(a) Except for contracts entered into prior to February 7, 2014, which are subject to regulations and contract requirements in effect prior to February 7, 2014, or as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the total amount of payments paid to a person or legal entity under this part may not exceed an aggregate of $450,000, directly or indirectly, for all contracts entered into during fiscal years 2014 through 2018. Payments received for technical assistance will be excluded from this limitation. The limitation in this subsection cannot be waived.