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By: Paul Hawkins
Summary On January 19, 2021, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council published a final rule that implemented a 2019 Executive Order meant to strengthen Buy American Act (BAA) enforcement and standards. The new rule raises the domestic content threshold to 55% for general products and construction materials and a whopping 95% for predominantly iron/steel products. The new rule also significantly increases the price preferences for offerors offering “domestic end products” (from 6% to 20% for large businesses and 12% to 30% for small businesses). Additionally, the new rule includes further updated guidance regarding iron and steel products among other changes. Summary
On December 27th the President signed into law the second major bipartisan COVID-19 relief package. The package releases $900 billion in emergency relief funds to cover costs of vaccine distribution, to extend enhanced unemployment benefits, and to fund $600 stimulus checks for many Americans. The legislation also includes a second round of financial relief for hard hit small businesses. |
