§4875 Prohibition on Acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment and Certain Other Items From Non-allied Foreign Nations

Summary

The Secretary of Defense must not buy certain health and safety supplies from specific foreign countries. This rule covers prime contracts and all subcontracts. It does not apply if the Secretary finds supplies of the right quality, quantity, form, and timing cannot be bought from other countries at a reasonable price; if the item will be used outside the United States; or if the purchase is $150,000 or less. Purchases over $150,000 cannot be split into smaller buys to avoid the $150,000 limit. Covered items are disease-prevention gear and related supplies (personal protective equipment like gloves, masks, respirators, face shields, gowns, head/foot coverings, and similar clothing, except added sensors or electronics; and sanitizing wipes, testing swabs, gauze, and bandages). Covered nations are the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.