Applications for hospital and medical facility construction projects for which federal funds are requested shall be submitted to the secretary and may be submitted by the state or any political subdivision thereof or by any public or nonprofit agency authorized to construct and operate a hospital or medical facility: PROVIDED, That except as may be permitted by federal law no application for a diagnostic or treatment center shall be approved unless the applicant is (1) a state, political subdivision, or public agency, or (2) a corporation or association which owns and operates a nonprofit hospital. Each application for a construction project shall conform to federal and state requirements.