LegiStorm

Summary:
Highlights

GAO reviewed the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (the agencies) new rule entitled "Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Using Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment." GAO found that the final rule requires an offeror to represent annually, after conducting a reasonable inquiry, whether it uses covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.







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B-332470
September 9, 2020
The Honorable Ron Johnson
Chairman
The Honorable Gary C. Peters
Ranking Member
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
United States Senate
The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney
Chairwoman
The Honorable James Comer
Ranking Member
Committee on Oversight and Reform
House of Representatives
Subject: Department of Defense,
General Services Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Federal
Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Using Certain
Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment
Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a
major rule promulgated by the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (the agencies) entitled ?Federal Acquisition
Regulation: Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Using Certain Telecommunications and
Video Surveillance Services or Equipment? (RIN: 9000-AN92).  We received the rule on
August 26, 2020.  It was published in the Federal Register as an interim rule
on August 27, 2020.  85 Fed. Reg. 53126.  The rule has an effective date of
October 26, 2020.  The agencies are holding a comment period on the interim final rule
until October 26, 2020.
According to the agencies, the interim final rule requires
an offeror to represent annually, after conducting a reasonable inquiry, whether it uses
covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that
uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.  The new annual representation
implements a section of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019, Pub. L. No. 115-232, 132 Stat. 1636 (Aug. 13, 2018).
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) requires a 60-day delay
in the effective date of a major rule from the date of publication in the Federal
Register or receipt of the rule by Congress, whichever is later.  5 U.S.C. §
801(a)(3)(A).  The 60-day delay in effective date can be waived, however, if the
agency finds for good cause that delay is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest, and the agency incorporates a statement of the findings and its reasons in
the rule issued.  5 U.S.C. §§ 553(b)(3)(B), 808(2).  Here, although the agencies
did not specifically mention CRA?s 60-day delay in effective date requirement, the agencies
found good cause to waive notice and comment procedures and incorporated a brief statement
of reasons.  Specifically, the agencies
determined they had good cause because the rule is meant to mitigate risks across the
supply chains that provide hardware, software, and services to the U.S. Government and
further integrate national security considerations into the acquisition process.  The
agencies stated that, like many countries, the United States has increasingly relied on a
global industrial supply chain.  According to the agencies, as threats have increased,
so has the U.S. Government?s scrutiny of its contractors and their suppliers.  The
agencies further stated that underlying these efforts is the concern a foreign government
will be able to expropriate valuable technologies, engage in espionage with regard to
sensitive U.S. Government information, and/or exploit vulnerabilities in products or
services.
Enclosed is our assessment of the agencies? compliance with the procedural steps
required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. 
If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible
for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact Shari
Brewster, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-6398.

Shirley A. Jones
Managing Associate General Counsel
Enclosure
cc: William F. Clark
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy
Office of Government-wide Policy
General Services AdministrationENCLOSURE
REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. § 801(a)(2)(A) ON A
MAJOR RULE
ISSUED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE,
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION,
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
ENTITLED
"FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION:
PROHIBITION ON
CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES USING CERTAIN
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT"
(RIN: 9000-AN92)
(i) Cost-benefit analysis
The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (the agencies) estimated the interim final rule would create a total
public cost savings of $34.3 billion at present value at a discount rate of 3 percent and
$15.1 billion at present value at a 7 percent discount rate.  The agencies further
estimated the interim final rule would create a total government cost savings of $31.6
billion at present value at a discount rate of 3 percent and $14.1 billion at present value
at a 7 percent discount rate.
(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. §§
603-605, 607, and 609
The agencies prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis.  The analysis
included (1) the reasons for the action; (2) the objectives of, and the legal basis for,
the interim final rule; (3) a description and an estimate of the small entities to which
the interim final rule will apply; (4) a description of the projected reporting,
recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the interim final rule; (5) relevant
federal rules that may overlap, duplicate, or conflict with the interim final rule; and (6)
a description of any significant alternatives to the rule which accomplish the stated
objectives of applicable statutes and which minimize any significant economic impact of the
rule on small entities.
(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995, 2 U.S.C. §§ 1532-1535
The interim final rule did not discuss the Act.  In their submission to us, the
agencies indicated that they did not prepare a written statement under the Act.
(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive
orders
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
The agencies waived notice and comment procedures for good cause.  They determined
they had good cause because the rule is meant to mitigate risks across the supply chains
that provide hardware, software, and services to the U.S. Government and further integrate
national security considerations into the acquisition process.  The agencies stated
that, like many countries, the United States has increasingly relied on a global industrial
supply chain.  According to the agencies, as threats have increased, so has the U.S.
Government?s scrutiny of its contractors and their suppliers.  The agencies further
stated that underlying these efforts is the concern a foreign government will be able to
expropriate valuable technologies, engage in espionage with regard to sensitive U.S.
Government information, and/or exploit vulnerabilities in products or services.  The
agencies are holding a comment period until October 26, 2020.
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. §§ 3501-3520
The agencies determined the interim final rule contains information collection
requirements (ICRs) subject to the Act.  The ICR revises an existing information
collection, entitled ?Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Using Certain
Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment? and is associated with
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 9000-0201.  The total aggregate
burden estimate for this ICR is $8,836,398,333.
Statutory authorization for the rule
The agencies promulgated the final rule pursuant to sections 2302 et seq. of
title 10; section 121 of title 40; and section 20113 of title 51, United States Code.
Executive Order No. 12,866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)
The agencies determined the interim final rule was economically significant and
submitted it to OMB for review.
Executive Order No. 13,132 (Federalism)
In their submission to us, the agencies did not address the Order.




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