Buy American Act BAA Trade Agreement Act TAA Compliant Countries

Are you selling products to the federal government legally from BAA or TAA compliant countries? Avoid Costly Mistakes, Hefty Fines, and Jail Time When Facing Trade Agreement TAA Compliant Deficiencies and Buy American Act Investigations, Civil and Criminal Cases.

Federal Law Enforcement Agencies are now Targeting Contractors for not being BAA Compliant. Many companies make dangerous mistakes and find themselves facing costly penalties, jail time, and fines for BAA TAA compliance violations (including losing lucrative federal contracts in a bid protest.)

Are you a government contractor, manufacturer, or reseller? Have you been struggling to navigate the complex regulations of the Buy American Act and TAA compliance?

Our team of experienced government contract attorneys can help you avoid the costly consequences of being charged with noncompliance. We understand the intricacies of these regulations and can guide you through the process to ensure your company stays on the right side of the law.

Don’t let non-compliance charges derail your business. With our help, you can avoid costly fines and damage to your reputation. Our team is dedicated to helping you stay compliant and succeed in the government contracting market.

Department of Justice Squeezes Wisconsin Architectural Firm Who Then Plead Guilty and Pay $3 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Claims Under Buy American Requirements

Avoid being in this situation. Headlines –

List of BAA TAA Compliant Countries and List of Buy American Act Countries (BAA Compliant) 

DFARS Trade Agreement ACT TAA Compliant Countries – What is the Buy American Act Countries List Under FAR 25 Regulations? Are You BAA Compliant?

 

BAA TAA countries means any of the following countries:

           (1) A World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA) country (Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria,, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (known in the World Trade Organization as “the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei)”), Ukraine, or United Kingdom);

           (2) A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) country (Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Korea (Republic of), Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, or Singapore);

           (3) A least developed country (Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, or Zambia); or

           (4) A Caribbean Basin country (Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saba, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, or Trinidad and Tobago).

Designated country end product means a WTO GPA country end product, an FTA country end product, a least developed country end product, or a Caribbean Basin country end product.

Designated BAA and TAA Countries? What are They?

The designated countries are ones that are:

• World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement Countries (Australia, Germany, South Korea, Japan)
• Free Trade Agreement Countries (like Mexico, Canada, or Singapore)
• Least Developed Countries (Afghanistan, Cambodia, Samoa, Yemen, etc.)
• Caribbean Basin Countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Curacao and such).

TAA compliance countries are designated countries and the United States. A current list TAA compliant countries list in FAR, part 25. Correspondingly, non TAA compliant countries are countries outside of this list, for instance, China, Russia, and North Korea.

BAA Compliance Violations: A Cautionary Tale for Government Contractors – DOJ Makes An Example of Contractor

Recent revelations about the risks of non-compliance with the Buy American Act (BAA) countries list and BAA requirements have sent shockwaves through the construction and contracting industries. Wisconsin’s Novum Structures LLC, a renowned company known for its glass space frame designs often employed in roofs and atrium enclosures, found itself embroiled in a scandal that should serve as a stern warning to all government contractors.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has spotlighted Novum’s agreement to plead guilty and pay a hefty sum of $3 million, due to the unauthorized use of overseas materials on projects funded by federal dollars. By violating provisions that implement the “Buy America” stipulations, Novum exposed itself to significant criminal and civil repercussions.

Reports suggest that Novum masked the use of non-compliant foreign materials on certain federal construction projects by repackaging goods and doctoring documentation. As a consequence, the company will admit to concealing pivotal information, incurring a substantial criminal fine of $500,000.

To further compound their financial woes, Novum consented to a $2.5 million payout to settle civil allegations brought under the False Claims Act. These claims surround Novum’s intentional use of foreign materials in violation of their contractual terms on various federal projects spanning nearly a decade.

It’s essential to understand that U.S. government-funded construction initiatives typically mandate the exclusive use of domestic resources. This includes adherence to the Buy American Act, the Federal Transit Administration’s Buy America provision, and other related statutes. Novum’s oversight pertained to contracts both for government structures and transit endeavors subsidized with federal allocations.

Concluding this cautionary episode, Novum has acquiesced to potential debarment from projects financed by federal grants.

The Imperative of BAA Compliance and Expert Legal Assistance

Such incidents highlight the perilous journey companies might face if they overlook BAA compliance. Federal law enforcement agencies, especially the DOJ, can not only tarnish a company’s reputation but also severely affect its financial stability. To ensure that your business doesn’t become another cautionary tale, it’s paramount to prioritize BAA compliance. Moreover, having seasoned BAA attorneys by your side can provide invaluable guidance, ensuring that your company navigates this complex legal terrain safely and efficiently. The potential pitfalls are immense, but with due diligence and expert advice, they are entirely avoidable.

Contact us today at 1866.601.5518 to schedule a consultation and start protecting your business from noncompliance civil and criminal charges.

Many federal contractors guess whether or not their products comply with BAA or TAA requirements.  The DOJ is actively prosecuting small businesses are large government contractors with False Claims Act charges. When applying the rule for establishing Buy American Act countries and the TAA compliance countries of origin, contractors doing business with the federal government should understand the basics of Buy American Act (BAA compliance.) Government contractors also find themselves facing BAA Investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or other federal enforcement agencies for not complying with the rules. This can be an expensive and costly experience if your company does not have the proper checklists and training in place.

Starting around January 2020, small businesses and large contractors competing for federal government contracts must make that their goods meet the qualifying country requirements or risk disqualification from the federal contracting bidding processes. If your company wins a federal contract, you must still be able to defend a BAA protest or government investigation that challenges compliance with the Buy American Act countries or source of origin requirements. See also new rules in 2022.

1933 Buy American Act 48 CFR part 25 – Are You BAA Compliant?

The Buy American Act, 48 CFR part 25 applies to all U.S. federal government agency purchases of goods (articles, materials, or supplies) valued over the U.S. micro-purchase threshold (currently set at US$10,000). When purchased by federal entities for public use, the qualifying countries of the BAA require that these goods be produced or manufactured in the United States To be considered as being produced in the U.S., goods must be manufactured in the U.S. and at least 50% – 55% of the cost of their components must come from the U.S.

There are exceptions to Buy American qualifying country requirements. You can still become BAA compliant if waivers are granted by the contracting officer for the public interest, or if the cost of U.S. products is unreasonable compared to equivalent foreign products.

BAA country requirements waivers could be granted if your products are not produced in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of satisfactory quality.

Buy American Act qualifying countries requirements do not apply to Canada for U.S. federal purchases covered by the revised World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO GPA), to which Canada, the U.S. and 46 other countries are Parties (see below). When bidding on U.S. federal procurements covered by these agreements, Canadian suppliers benefit from the same treatment as American suppliers

Federal regulatory and Fair Trade enforcement authorities are now targeting small and large businesses and in some cases bringing criminal charges against companies and their executives. You want to avoid this disastrous result at all costs. When you submit a bid to the government, chances are that the Buy American Compliance Clause is incorporated. The submission of the offer constitutes an agreement to supply domestic end items. In bid protest litigation, if you do not provide information for the agency to validate or indicate that you are in compliance, it will be justified not granting you the award. See an example of a GAO case here.

Buy American Act Compliance (2022)

Government Contracting Officers must be aware that the FAR Amendments to the Buy American Act Compliance Requirements were effective on October 25, 2022. The new rule amends FAR Parts 25 and 52 to implement section 8 of E.O. 14005, Ensuring the “Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers.” Upon the October 25, 2022, effective date, the final FAR rule changes the domestic content threshold to 60 percent immediately, then to 65 percent for items delivered starting in calendar year 2024, and then to 75 percent for items delivered starting in the calendar year 2029.

While a supplier that is awarded a contract with a period of performance that spans this schedule of domestic content threshold increases will be required to comply with each increased threshold for the items in the year of delivery, this rule allows for the contracting agency senior procurement executive to apply an alternate domestic content test under which the contractor would be required to comply with the domestic content threshold in place at the time of award for the entire life of the contract.

This final rule also creates a fallback threshold that would allow for products and construction material meeting a 55 percent domestic content threshold to qualify as ‘‘domestic’’ under certain circumstances.

In addition, the final rule creates a framework for the application of an enhanced price preference for a domestic product/domestic construction material that is considered a critical item or made up of critical components. The list of critical items and critical components, along with the associated enhanced price preference, will be incorporated in the FAR through separate rulemaking.

How to Become Buy American Act BAA Compliant and Avoid Criminal Liability as a Government Contractor?

The Buy American Act, or BAA, is a federal law that requires companies and organizations to purchase materials and supplies of U.S. origin whenever available. Government contractors must be compliant with the BAA in order to do business with the federal government. While non-compliance can result in significant civil and criminal penalties, compliance can be achieved with the help of experienced BAA compliance lawyers.

When it comes to government contracts, failing to comply with the BAA can have serious consequences for businesses and organizations. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and penalties, as well as the potential for criminal prosecution and jail time. To avoid these risks, organizations looking to enter into a government contract should seek the guidance of experienced BAA compliance lawyers who can help ensure that all aspects of the process are done in accordance with the law.

BAA compliance lawyers can assist organizations in understanding their obligations under the law, and advise on best practices for doing business with the federal government. They can provide legal advice on how to become BAA compliant, as well as help evaluate and review contracts to ensure that all requirements are met. Additionally, they can provide resources and guidance on how to resolve any issues or disputes that may arise throughout the process.

How to Become BAA Compliant: Steps to Ensure Your Business Meets the Standards

The Buy American Act (BAA) was enacted in 1933 to support domestic businesses and manufacturers by requiring federal agencies to purchase domestic goods and services, unless they are not available or not of sufficient quality. Becoming BAA compliant is essential for businesses that want to bid on government contracts and access the lucrative federal market. However, navigating the complex BAA compliance requirements can be daunting. Here are the steps you need to take to become BAA compliant.

1. Understand the BAA Requirements: First, familiarize yourself with the BAA’s rules and regulations. Consult a BAA compliance attorney to understand the specific requirements and exceptions that apply to your business.

2. Identify Your Products’ Country of Origin: Determine the origin of the products you offer, including their raw materials and components. Keep records of the origin of your goods and the percentage of domestic content in each product.

3.   Document Your Compliance: Maintain detailed records of your compliance with BAA requirements. This includes documenting the country of origin for your products and any exceptions that apply.

4. Certify Your Compliance: Obtain a certification of compliance from an authorized third-party certifier. This ensures that your compliance documentation meets the BAA’s standards.

By following these steps, you can become BAA compliant and access the opportunities available in the federal marketplace. With the help of a BAA compliance attorney, you can ensure that your business is prepared to meet the BAA’s requirements and win government contracts.

What are the Penalties for Buy American Act Non-Compliance?

The federal government awards billions in government contracts on an annual basis worth of contracts every year. Companies that win contracts but fail to demonstrate that they are BAA compliant can face several dangerous penalties including fines, suspension and debarment, criminal penalties and liability; investigation from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other federal law enforcement offices; termination of government contracts, and public exposure and reputation. Having a Buy American Act compliance attorney that can provide guidance for BAA compliance of your day-to-day operations can be a great benefit.

Prime contractors are still on the hook for the liability of their subcontractors and manufacturers not complying with the Buy American Act countries compliance list. This does not mean that the subcontractor is off the hook. Flow-through clauses may allow the government to still target subcontractors for Buy American violations.

Examples of cases where companies violated the BAA compliance countries or origin list include a military supplier who ended up paying $850,000 to settle breach of contract and False Claims Act allegations in New Jersey. In that case, a vehicle parts supplier was found selling items that were manufactured in prohibited Buy American Act countries.

Buy American BAA Certification

Government contractors often need to obtain BAA certification in order to comply with the Buy American Act (BAA) and ensure that their products are manufactured in the United States. This certification form is issued by the U.S. government and requires contractors to provide a statement about their manufacturing processes and supply chains to then certify that the products meet the requirements of the Buy American Act. In order to obtain BAA certification, contractors must actually certify the form and be subject to laws for improper certification. Once certified, contractors can proudly display their BAA certification and compete for government contracts with confidence.

Some contracts, such as those for the acquisition of supplies, require a Buy American certificate. The certificate is an attestation that each end product, barring those listed in the BAA certificate, is a product of the U.S. Non-domestically sourced end products are listed on the certificate along with their country of origin. These claims should be supported by due diligence into the origin of supplied goods and are legally binding.

Construction contracts are not required to submit a BAA certificate, however, contractors are obligated to submit a waiver at the time of offer submission. They must provide sufficient data for the government to evaluate their submission. Agencies are empowered to challenge a contractor’s submission when they have reason to believe the source of end products has been misrepresented.

More Scrutiny for Buy American Requirements

Initially signed in 1933, the Buy American Act applies to articles, materials, and supplies made for public use. An earlier executive order issued in 2017 required all agencies to assess their compliance with the Buy American Act and related legislation. While the order did not change the law, it signaled a shift toward greater scrutiny and enforcement of existing sourcing regulations and policy.

In past iterations of the act, allegations of non-compliance generally came from competing businesses or whistleblowers; however, the government also monitors activity. This means businesses that win contracts should be prepared to prove the country of origin of their products.

Buy American Act Vs Buy America 

BAA vs TAA: Numerous pieces of legislation place requirements on companies to source domestically or from allies. The Federal Trade Agreements Act is looked at differently than the BAA (TAA) in that it prohibits the government from procuring end products from non-designated countries but allows the government to purchase products from other “BAA designated countries.”

Under the Trade Agreements Act, the US President is authorized to waive domestic sourcing requirements including the BAA, to purchase eligible products from BAA compliance countries that have signed International Trade Agreements like the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA), NAFTA, Caribbean Basin Initiative, or others with the United States. The Act for the most part applies to federal government procurements that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

The Buy American Act vs Buy America Act are two key pieces of legislation in the United States with significant differences that everyone should be aware of. The Buy American Act of 1933 requires the federal government to purchase domestic construction materials, and although it only applies to direct government purchases, it created a national preference for domestic materials used for public construction.

In contrast, the Buy America Act of 1982 is focused on procurement funding for state and local infrastructure, such as highways, railways and rapid transit systems. This Act requires end products to be 100% manufactured in the US and all steel and iron components to be mined, melted and manufactured domestically. The Act does have a minimal use exception, allowing foreign-sourced materials if they are valued at $2,500 or less than 0.1% of the contract value.

So, if you’re wondering which of the two acts is easier and less expensive to comply with, the answer is the Buy American Act. However, it’s crucial to know the significant differences between the two for any government procurement or construction projects. The Buy American Act requires that the end product be of US origin, while the America Act allows for foreign-sourced components but with strict limitations.

Additionally, the Buy American Act applies to all federal contracts, while the America Act only applies to state and local projects. Lastly, it should also be noted that both Acts do not apply to goods purchased

The Buy America Act is a set of requirements related to transportation projects, generally at the local and state levels. Buy America prevents government agencies from releasing funds for these projects unless “the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States.”

For BAA compliance, 100 percent of manufactured goods must be sourced from the U.S. and more than 70 percent of rolling stock (e.g. train control, communications, and other related equipment). Per FAR 52.225-2, a contractor will certify that:

             (1) each end product, except those listed in paragraph (b) of this provision, is a domestic end product.

           (2) The Offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products.

           (3) The terms “domestic end product,” “end product,” and “foreign end product” are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled “Buy American-Supplies.”

There is still much confusion about the applicability of Buy America Act vs Buy American Act. The following bullets can simplify the application of the two areas. See 48 CFR part 25

• Buy American requirements apply to direct procurement (including purchase orders) by the United States federal government greater than US$10,000.  The underlying rules tend to guide and facilitate more American jobs and purchasing of American-made products. The rule focuses more on construction projects. The Buy American Act applies when the federal government is participating in the procurement of products or construction of a federal facility. The goods or products are qualified as domestic  so long as they are 100% manufactured in the United States and with at least 50% domestic content.
• Buy America requirements on the other hand apply to purchases of iron, steel and other manufactured products that are permanently incorporated into infrastructure projects. The rule also applies to contractor projects with the federal government, states and municipalities with funds issued by certain U.S. federal departments and agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Under the Buy America Act, end products must be 100% manufactured in the United States, and all steel and iron components MUST be mined, melted, and manufactured in the United States. 

See More on Buy American Act Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Trade Agreements Act – Are You TAA Compliant?

The TAA generally applies to federal procurement for goods and services at or above $204,000, or construction projects equal to or above $7,864,000. The TAA does not apply to federal acquisitions that are small business set-asides, federal acquisitions of arms, ammunition, or war materials, or purchases indispensable for national security or for national defense purposes; (3) the government’s purchase of end products for resale; (4) federal acquisitions from Federal Prison Industries, Inc., or Nonprofit Agencies Employing People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (5) other government acquisitions not using full and open competition; and (6) certain services listed in FAR 25.401(b).

If the Trade Agreements Act rules do not apply, then the Buy American Act applies.

TAA compliant countries meaning under federal GSA contracting rules means that your “final products” sold on your GSA schedule can only be produced in China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Russia, Pakistan, and South Asia – to mention a few.

Articles that are entirely the creation, output, or manufacture of the United States or a designated country, or Articles that are “substantially transformed” into a new or distinct article of commerce in the United States or a designated country with a name, character, or use that differs from the original article or articles.

What is meant by “significantly altered” is frequently a topic of discussion. The GSA defines “significantly transformed” as a product that has undergone significant name, character, or usage change to constitute a new and different commerce article. For certain contractors, the term can still be challenging. We advise consulting your consultant or looking up FAR 52.225-5 on Trade Agreements if you have any doubts about whether your items pass the TAA compliance review. Naturally, we are always available to assist with any inquiries you may have regarding TAA.

What does a “TAA Compliant Product” Mean? When applying TAA rules, if your product comes from a designated country, it is considered “TAA compliant”. If you meet this requirement, then you are authorized to sell your product via your GSA contract.  You, as the contractor, are liable if your product is not TAA compliant.   Your products must be made in the U.S. or a designated country.   You should have a QA program in place to check your products for TAA compliance.

Your goods or services sold to the United States is TAA compliant if manufactured or substantially transformed in the United States or manufactured in a TAA-designated country.  TAA designated countries include those that the United States has specific trade agreements in place and statutorily regard those designated TAA compliance countries as reliable or acceptable procurement sources.

“Substantially transformed” is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Courts have realized that no one case can be a broad brush for every situation that arises. When your business has a unique process in place before selling to the US government, you may want to invest in experienced BAA and TAA lawyers to assess whether you are BAA or TAA compliant.

To be TAA compliant, all of your products must qualify as U.S.-made or designated country-end products. TAA generally does not allow non-TAA-compliant products to be purchased if compliant products are offered.

To comply with the “U.S.-made or designated country end product rule”, the product must be manufactured in the United States or the designated country, or the product must be substantially transformed in the United States or the designated country into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed. To be TAA compliant, the Country of origin is the country in which the end product was last “substantially transformed.” This is somewhat different from than application of the BAA, the “substantial transformation” test.  TAA compliance does not depend upon the relative value of the components. Be aware that simply because your product is TAA compliant, it does not automatically mean that the product is BAA compliant.

Do You Always Have to Meet TAA Compliance Rules? Can CO Issues a Waiver Under Fair Trade Agreements Act Rules? 

Government contracting officers have wide discretion to waive TAA compliance requirements for the Buy American Act qualifying countries’ laws and Buy American Act country of origin requirements under FAR 25  if he or she determines that the price of the lowest-priced domestic offer is unreasonable, or if there is another exception under Fair Trade and TAA rules. See more information contained in DFARS 251.225-7001.

Certain end products and construction materials from other countries can receive a nondiscriminatory evaluation when there are domestic offers.

• For FAR Buy American compliance, the acquisition’s dollar value drives which trade agreement applies.

There are various tests when finalizing a decision as to whether there is a violation of the Buy American Act countries list rule or Fair Trade compliance regulations. 

• Develop sound internal compliance policies
• Avoid liability for subcontractors and suppliers

The US government wants to know where all products are made. With the recent change in government and the continuing goal to make products in America, companies should be aware of the BAA compliance requirements, Trade America Act penalties, and liability for not properly identifying approved Buy American Act countries of origin. See Consequences of Procurement Fraud Schemes & Avoiding Criminal Liability.

• In 2005, three major suppliers of office products settled violation claims in the amount of $22 million.
• Companies find themselves in trouble mostly because they have no internal policies and controls to make sure that the business is not violating the rules and making sure that subcontractors and suppliers also follow the regulations.

Steps for Becoming Trade Agreement Act (TAA) Compliant

If your company is interested in selling products to the US government or any of its agencies, compliance with the Trade Agreement Act (TAA) is essential. The TAA requires that any products sold to the government must originate from a TAA-compliant country or undergo a substantial transformation in a TAA-compliant country. Here are some steps to ensure TAA compliance.

1. **Understand the TAA requirements** – Before you can become TAA compliant, it is important to understand the TAA requirements. This includes knowing the list of TAA-compliant countries, the types of products that require compliance, and the consequences of non-compliance.

2. **Determine the origin of your products** – Determine where your products originate from and whether they are TAA-compliant. If your products are not from a TAA-compliant country, you may need to determine if they undergo substantial transformation in a TAA-compliant country.

3. **Select TAA-compliant suppliers** – Work with suppliers who provide TAA-compliant products. A TAA compliance attorney can assist you in identifying suppliers who are TAA-compliant.

4. **Document TAA compliance** – Keep accurate records of the origin of your products and any substantial transformation that occurs. This documentation can be used to demonstrate TAA compliance.

5. **Perform regular TAA compliance reviews** – Conduct regular reviews to ensure ongoing TAA compliance. This can help you identify any potential issues and take corrective action before non-compliance occurs.

By following these steps, you can become TAA compliant and be confident in your ability to sell products to the US government. Contact a TAA compliance attorney for further guidance and support.

How to Be Trade Agreements Act BAA Compliant and Avoid Criminal Liability as a Government Contractor?

As a government contractor, you must ensure that you are Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant to avoid criminal liability. The TAA requires federal contractors and subcontractors to purchase goods or services from TAA compliance countries designated as having reciprocal trade agreements with the United States. Failing to comply with this requirement can lead to criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

Fortunately, there are TAA compliance lawyers that can help you understand the complexities of the TAA and ensure that you remain compliant with the law. These lawyers can help you review your agreements to ensure they include all necessary language to comply with TAA regulations, as well as assist in creating new contracts so that they are compliant. Additionally, they can help you understand the implications of different countries’ trade agreements with the United States in order to ensure that you purchase goods or services from a country that is acceptable under TAA regulations.

By working with experienced TAA compliance attorneys, government contractors can feel confident that their contracts are compliant and avoid criminal liability for non-compliance. These lawyers can help you ensure that all TAA requirements are met and your contracts remain in accordance with the law.

Ultimately, being TAA compliant is essential for any government contractor to avoid criminal liability. With the assistance of experienced TAA compliance lawyers, contractors can rest assured knowing their contracts are in line with the law.

Buy American Country China and BAA Restrictions

Is Your Company BAA Compliant?

TAA compliant countries under FAR 25, and other Fair Trade Agreements Act regulations (Trade America Act), the Act limits the purchase of supplies that are non-domestic end products that will be used in the United States. This is very important when selling products to the government under a GSA Schedule. Contractors should also be aware of countries of origin that may impact the outcomes of cases alleging violations of the Act.  This is but one reason to have internal policies and controls to become BAA compliant. See How Does the President’s View on Buy American Statute and Buy America Impact Government Contractors?

Under other government contracting rules, knowing the various TAA compliance countries of origin when purchasing supplies and end products for sale to the federal government. See information about COTS CONTRACTS. Whether you are selling construction materials or IT products under the Trade Agreement Act, becoming BAA compliant is essential when doing business with the federal government.  Companies are now being subject to federal investigations and allegations of BAA non-compliance which leads to False Claims Act violations. Get more information about Buy American Act compliance items such as end products and meeting the 50% or 55% rule.

To establish TAA compliance, courts look at the Act’s list of qualifying countries of origin under the “substantial transformation” test. For purposes of reporting, government contractors should look at whether the manufacturing of end product is made in the USA or overseas, without looking at the origin of the components. This is especially true for Buy American Act construction materials and IT products. Learn about dealing with Buy American Act disputes in a bid protest. 

Are You Involved in a Qui Tam Buy American Act Case or BAA Criminal Investigation?

When the government targets a company that results from a qui tam case or the agency initiates a criminal investigation for BAA compliance issues, this is a serious matter that can involve both jail time and hefty civil fines. Our government contract lawyers can help by working with defense attorneys on your team.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential for businesses wanting to make use of federal funds or obtain contracts from federal, state, or local agencies to understand and comply with the Buy American Act (BAA) Compliance regulations. By doing so, they can ensure that their products are eligible for government contracts and stay ahead of the competition.

The BAA compliance requirements are there to benefit US citizens by ensuring taxpayer money is used wisely and only goes towards purchasing domestic products whenever possible. Understanding these requirements and implementing them effectively into any procurement process will help ensure businesses remain BAA compliant and maximize their chances of receiving lucrative government contracts. Find a government contracts BAA compliance attorney for immediate help.

Call Our TAA Compliance Lawyers and Buy American Act BAA Compliance Defense Attorneys. For legal help becoming TAA and BAA Compliant under the Buy American Act countries list or if you need to Buy American consulting services, please call our BAA Buy American Act lawyers at 1-866-601-5518.