On July 15, 2019, President Trump signed an Executive Order
requiring regulations implementing the Buy American Act, 41 U.S.C.
§§ 8301-8305, to be changed. While President Trump has
previously issued two other policy-based "Buy American"
Executive Orders, this new Order directs that specific changes be
made, reversing government policies that have been in place for 65
years. These changes have the potential to significantly disrupt
many government contractors' supply chains and internal
compliance programs. As such, companies should start planning now
for the final regulations that are expected sometime in 2020.
The Buy American Act (BAA)
Subject to multiple exceptions (some of which are discussed
below), the BAA requires the government to purchase products
"manufactured in the United States substantially all from
articles, materials, or supplies mined, produced, or manufactured
in the United States." 41 U.S.C. § 8302(a)(1). The
Federal Acquisition Regulation