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Federal Acquisition Security Council Improvement Act of 2024

11/15/2024, 1:08 AM

Summary of Bill HR 9597

The Federal Acquisition Security Council Improvement Act of 2024, also known as Bill 118 hr 9597, aims to enhance the operations of the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) in order to strengthen the security of federal acquisitions. The FASC is responsible for coordinating efforts to identify and mitigate supply chain risks in federal procurement.

This bill seeks to improve the FASC by requiring the council to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for assessing and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities. It also mandates the establishment of a process for sharing information and best practices related to supply chain security among federal agencies.

Additionally, the bill calls for the FASC to conduct regular assessments of federal acquisition practices and make recommendations for improving supply chain security. It also requires the council to report annually to Congress on its activities and progress in enhancing supply chain security. Overall, the Federal Acquisition Security Council Improvement Act of 2024 aims to enhance the effectiveness of the FASC in safeguarding federal acquisitions from supply chain risks, ultimately strengthening national security.

Congressional Summary of HR 9597

Federal Acquisition Security Council Improvement Act of 2024

This bill revises the structure and function of the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC), including by authorizing FASC to declare certain vendors associated with foreign adversaries ineligible to participate in federal procurement.

Specifically, Congress may designate for FASC review vendors (1) that are operating on behalf of, or are subject to the jurisdiction or control of, foreign adversaries; or (2) that pose a risk to national security based on their association with a foreign adversary’s military or intelligence forces. The covered foreign adversaries are China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.

FASC must review each designated vendor to determine whether to issue an order excluding the vendor from executive agencies’ procurement actions or requiring covered articles produced or provided by the vendor to be removed from agencies’ information systems. (Currently, covered articles include telecommunications equipment and services, information technology and information processing, and other systems or devices that include information technology.) Vendors subject to an exclusion or removal order may submit information in opposition for FASC’s consideration before the order is finalized. 

Separately, the bill broadens FASC’s functions related to supply chain risk to include a focus on acquisition security and risks associated with the procurement and use of covered articles. 

The bill also reallocates authorized funding for FASC from the Office of Management and Budget to the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), and establishes a FASC program office within ONCD to provide subject matter expertise and administrative and legal support.

Current Status of Bill HR 9597

Bill HR 9597 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since November 13, 2024. Bill HR 9597 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on September 16, 2024.  Bill HR 9597's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. as of November 13, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 9597

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
3
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
1
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 9597

Primary Policy Focus

Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact Areas

- Advisory bodies
- Computer security and identity theft
- Computers and information technology
- Congressional oversight
- Executive Office of the President
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Federal officials
- Public contracts and procurement

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 9597

Federal Acquisition Security Council Improvement Act of 2024
Federal Acquisition Security Council Improvement Act of 2024
To amend title 41, United States Code, to make changes with respect to the Federal Acquisition Security Council, and for other purposes.

Comments

Lucas Hinson profile image

Lucas Hinson

480

1 year ago

Hey y'all, just read up on this new bill about improving security in federal acquisitions. Sounds like a good idea to me! Wondering who all this will impact - any thoughts?

Marvin Jiang profile image

Marvin Jiang

428

1 year ago

I'm not entirely sure about the specifics of this bill, but it seems like a step in the right direction for improving security measures. It may have some short-term effects on government procurement processes, but overall, it seems like a positive change.