OMB Seeks Review of Buy American Foreign Purchase Reporting Rules

2026-09525 — Information Collection; Contract Financing

The government agencies in charge of buying stuff—like the Department of Defense, NASA, and others—are asking to keep collecting info about contract payments for three more years. They want your thoughts on how this info helps them work better and how to make it easier to share. If you’re involved in government contracts, this could affect how you report payment details, with no new costs but a chance to improve the process.

2026-09523 — Information Collection; Prospective Subcontractor Requests for Bonds

The government is asking for your thoughts on keeping a form that helps subcontractors request bonds when working on federal projects. This form helps agencies like the DoD, NASA, and GSA make sure subcontractors are reliable and financially secure. They want to extend the use of this form for three more years, so if you’re involved in federal contracts, your input matters before July 13, 2026!

2026-09526 — Information Collection; Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Using Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

The government is asking for your thoughts on keeping rules that stop contracts with companies using certain risky telecom and video gear. This affects businesses wanting to work with federal agencies like the DoD, NASA, and GSA. The current approval lasts until the end of 2026, and they want to extend it for three more years to keep things safe and clear.

2026-09527 — Information Collection; Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408)

The government wants to keep using six important preaward survey forms that help check if companies are ready to work on federal contracts. They’re asking for your thoughts on how useful these forms are and how to make them easier to fill out. Comments are open until July 13, 2026, and if all goes well, these forms will stay in use for three more years without extra costs.

2026-08940 — Information Collection; Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

Federal contractors will soon need to share info showing they’re fighting discrimination based on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Four big agencies—DoD, GSA, NASA, and OFPP—are asking for public feedback on this new info collection by July 6, 2026. This effort aims to keep workplaces fair without adding too much paperwork or cost.

2026-04912 — Federal Acquisition Regulation: Trade Agreements Thresholds

Starting March 13, 2026, new dollar limits kick in for government contracts under trade agreements like the WTO and various Free Trade Agreements. If you’re a business working with the government, these updated thresholds tell you when certain trade rules apply, often meaning bigger contracts get special treatment. This change helps keep government buying fair and up-to-date with global trade rules.

Previous: 2026-06071 — Overtime and Holiday Inspection Fee Reductions for Small and Very Small Establishments

Starting March 30, 2026, small and very small meat, poultry, and egg businesses can apply to pay less for overtime and holiday inspections. Small places get 30% off, and very small ones get a whopping 75% off, thanks to $20 million set aside for this. If they act fast, they can even get money back for fees paid since October 5, 2025, but only while funds last!

Next: 2026-06081 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V SCOUT

The Maritime Administration is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V SCOUT, operate in U.S. coastal waters carrying up to 12 paying passengers. This could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses using American-made vessels, so they want to hear from the public by April 29, 2026. If approved, it might shake up the local boat trade, but no costs or fees are mentioned yet.