News•Feb 26, 2026
FAR Council Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Implement Prohibition on Acquisition of Certain Semiconductors
On February 17, 2026 the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the FAR and enforce Section 5949 of the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act. The proposal bans federal agencies from acquiring semiconductor parts, products, or services traceable to SMIC, CXMT, or YMTC, with effectiveness slated for December 23, 2027. The rule expands to procurements below the $15,000 micro‑purchase threshold and includes commercial off‑the‑shelf items, while carving out commercial IT and telecommunications services until December 2028 and grandfathering pre‑2027 equipment. Contractors would need to conduct a reasonable inquiry, certify compliance, and flow the prohibitions down to subcontracts, though no proof of compliance is required at this stage.
By Inside Government Contracts
News•Feb 25, 2026
GSA Proposes New SAM Certification Language for Federal Funding Recipients Addressing DEI, Immigration, and National Security
On February 18, 2026 the General Services Administration issued a proposed revision to the System for Award Management (SAM) certifications required of federal financial assistance recipients. The draft adds attestations covering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) compliance, immigration status verification,...
By Inside Government Contracts
News•Feb 18, 2026
OMB Rescinds the “Common Form” Secure Software Attestation Requirement
On Jan. 23, 2026 the Office of Management and Budget issued Memorandum M‑26‑05, rescinding the Biden‑era mandate that all federal agencies obtain a CISA “Common Form” software attestation. The new memo replaces the one‑size‑fits‑all requirement with a risk‑based, agency‑specific approach while...
By Inside Government Contracts
News•Feb 12, 2026
Stop-Work Means Stop Work (…Until It Doesn’t): Lessons From Wolverine Tube
The Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals ruled in Wolverine Tube, Inc. that the Air Force’s stop‑work order, issued under FAR 52.242‑15, automatically expired after its 90‑day limit because the government never cancelled or extended it. The Board rejected the Air...
By Inside Government Contracts
News•Feb 4, 2026
Federal Push for Critical Minerals Stockpiling: 2025 in Review and Outlook for 2026
The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency is accelerating critical‑minerals stockpiling, with a $1 billion procurement plan announced for 2025 and new RFIs covering scarce elements such as scandium, tungsten and rare‑earths. Recent legislation, notably the One Big Beautiful Act, injected $2 billion into the National...
By Inside Government Contracts
News•Feb 3, 2026
Pentagon Releases Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The Pentagon unveiled an "AI‑first" strategy, appointing the Under Secretary for Research & Engineering as a single chief technology officer with decision authority. The plan centers on seven pace‑setting AI projects that span warfighting, intelligence and enterprise missions, backed by...
By Inside Government Contracts