Untangling country of origin rules in government contracts

Navigating country of origin requirements in US government contracts is a regulatory maze even for seasoned procurement leaders. Conflicting domestic preference laws and international free trade agreements create complexity and risk. While the Buy American Act pushes for domestic sourcing, multiple trade agreements like the WTO’s GPA and bilateral deals with countries such as Australia guarantee non-discriminatory procurement treatment for signatories. This tension generates a patchwork of overlapping rules riddled with exceptions. For procurement executives, understanding these intricacies is crucial to avoid compliance missteps and to leverage opportunities within government contracts.

Read the full article for deeper insights into managing COO compliance complexities.