Section 809 Panel - Recommendation #64 - Update Socioeconomic Laws to Encourage Purchasing from Nontraditional Suppliers by (a)Adopting Exceptions for the Department of Defense to Domestic Purchasing Preference Requirements for Commercial Products, and (b) Adopting a Public Interest Exception and Procedures for the Berry Amendment Identical to the Ones that Exist for the Buy American Act

Abstract

Domestic purchasing preferences notably the Buy American Act and the Berry Amendment can undermine the Department of Defense (DoD's) ability to field the most innovative technologies to the warfighter in a rapid, cost-effective, and efficient manner. DoD can protect national security by granting public interest exceptions to the Berry Amendment requirement for domestic sourcing of commercial goods.