The interim rule that bans federal agencies from purchasing or obtaining telecommunications and video surveillance services, systems or products from five Chinese companies—including Huawei—officially went into effect Tuesday.
The publication was published in the Federal Register website by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, comprised of officials from the Defense Department, the General Services Administration and NASA. The ban implements the provisions of the 2019 National Defense Administration Act, which restricts federal funds from being used to do business with Chinese telecom firms and also prohibits government contractors and grant recipients from working directly with Chinese companies, or any other entities that institute their tech.
The restrictions follow concerns raised by intelligence and security officials who warn China could tap the tech to spy on the United States.
“This interim rule is being implemented as a national security measure to protect government information, and government information and communication technology systems,” officials said in the Federal Register’s post.
The prohibition imposes new requirements for federal contracting officers, including that they must include new FAR provisions and clauses in any solicitations published after Aug. 13 and the resulting contracts, as well as any solicitations issued before that Aug.13 if an award for the contract will come after that date. The provision requires offerors to state whether their offer includes “covered” telecommunications equipment or services.
If so, they must supply “substantial details” about the basis of its use.
The document defines covered telecommunications equipment or services as:
Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Comp ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
