Scientists Hold Secret Meetings to Judge Other Scientists
Published Date: 12/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of State wants to keep collecting info from people selling big defense deals worth $500,000 or more, like political contributions and fees. If you’re involved in these sales to foreign military or the Defense Department, this affects you. They’re asking for public comments by January 12, 2026, before renewing this info collection—no new costs, just a quick 1-hour form per sale.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory reporting for big defense sales
If you request a license or approval for U.S. Munitions List defense articles or services worth $500,000 or more (or enter a Department of Defense contract worth $500,000 or more), you must inform the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) when political contributions paid, offered, or agreed to are $5,000 or more in the aggregate, or when fees or commissions paid, offered, or agreed to equal or exceed $100,000 in the aggregate. This reporting is mandatory under ITAR sections referenced in the notice.
Paperwork time burden estimate
The Department estimates 57 respondents and 450 responses, with an average time of 1 hour per response and a total estimated burden of 450 hours for this information collection. Responding is mandatory and submissions are made as attachments to relevant license applications or approval requests.
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