Contracting America First Act
Sponsored By: Representative Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]
Introduced
Summary
Would bar federal agencies from contracting with internationally owned software companies for certain high-risk software systems. The bill would set rules for certifications, allow narrow national-security waivers, and create penalties for false statements or violations.
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- Federal agencies would be prohibited from entering into, renewing, or extending contracts for a "covered software system" that stores, processes, or provides access to sensitive personal information of 500 or more federal employees unless a case-by-case national security waiver is granted. Agencies must update the Federal Acquisition Regulation within 180 days to implement the rule.
- Companies bidding on covered software systems would have to certify under penalty of perjury that they are not an internationally owned software company, defined as majority-owned by non-U.S. citizens. False certifications could lead to contract termination, suspension, debarment, or other contract remedies.
- The definition of covered data includes Social Security numbers, medical or health records, and other personally identifiable information that could lead to identity theft, personal harm, or national security risks if compromised. This focuses the restriction on systems that handle large amounts of sensitive federal employee data.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New limits on foreign-owned software
If enacted, the bill would bar federal agencies from signing or renewing some software contracts with companies majority-owned by non-U.S. citizens. It would apply when a system holds sensitive personal data for 500 or more federal employees or officers. Contracts would have to include a certification, under penalty of perjury, that the bidder is not majority-owned by non-U.S. citizens. An agency head would be able to grant a national-security waiver but would have to send a written justification to Congress within 30 days. Agencies would be able to terminate contracts, debar or suspend contractors, and seek other remedies for violations or false certifications. The Federal Acquisition Regulation would have to be updated within 180 days after enactment to implement these rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]
CO • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov