SST Offers Federal Contractors Peace of Mind as TAA Compliance Gets Tougher
A recent Court of International Trade (CIT) decision signals changes on the horizon for suppliers of U.S. government products when those products are principally created overseas.
In Energizer Battery, Inc. v. United States, slip op. 16-116 (Ct. of Intl. Trade, Dec. 7, 2016), the CIT determined that military flashlights whose components were imported from China but whose assembly was carried out in Vermont were not “substantially transformed” under the Trade Agreements Act (TAA); thus, the “country of origin” was China and not the United States.
This is significant because the TAA prohibits supplying products from countries that are not approved as TAA-eligible (e.g., China) without a government waiver. It seems the bar for TAA compliance has just gotten higher.
As the Federal Buying Season approaches, federal contactors should beware of manufacturers who claim TAA Compliance without a strong understanding of the “substantial transformation” standard and the ability to provide true traceability to the source.
With over ten years as a supplier to Federal VARs and others who sell through the GSA Schedule, Sole Source Technology™ knows TAA compliance. SST Optical Network Transceivers, Sold State Drives, Memory and IT Accessories are made in in TAA compliant countries with TAA complaint components.
Leaning on our understanding of government procurement requirements, cycles and processes, federal government contractors and resellers know they can Procure with Confidence™ with Sole Source Technology.
- Specializing in Government IT Procurement support
- Offering the most robust assortment of TAA Compliant IT products
- Supporting your GSA schedule through Letter of Supply
- Providing Long term product & pricing support for contracts
- Shipping IT Products to all major GWACs