DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to implement section 899A of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017.  Section 899A provides enhanced authority to acquire the products or services of covered African countries in support of DoD activities in Africa and repeals section 1263 of the NDAA for FY 2015.  This rule will allow contracting officers to limit competition to, or provide a preference for, the products or services of covered African countries.  This authority may only be used in support of covered activities in covered African countries after approval of a written determination.  In addition, this authority cannot be used for the procurement of any goods on the procurement list maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.

The rule has a limited application to products and services of Africa in support of covered activities in covered African countries. The priority sourcing of products or services produced in countries where the United States has long-term agreements is an important element of maintaining trust relationships that support United States participation in counterterrorism efforts and humanitarian response by United States Government agencies.