AMERICA'S Federal Acquisition Regulation rule, which applies to 5 Chinese companies - including Dahua and Hikvision - is confusing U.S. electronic security integrators. The interim Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule, which was implemented on August 13, is referred to as Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The interim rule applies to all new contracts and procurements as well as existing indefinite delivery contracts, plus options picked up for existing contracts and bars federal agencies from purchasing equipment from the 5 companies or renewing contracts with them. The rule mandates that contractors identify as part of their specification any security, video surveillance and telecommunications products and services provided to the government, including those supplied by subcontractors. Lynn de Seve, president of GSA Schedules, told SSI recently that government contractors have "expressed a great deal of confusion about the scope of the ban and what it will mean for their businesses". "GSA contractors will have some additional contracting requirements and certification to comply with as they are considered high risk for violations," she said. "Government agencies will be mindful of whether they need to include the additional FAR language at the contracts level, in addition to the GSA requirements, for contractors and when they apply."
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