US Trade Agreement Act Compliance (TAA) Attorneys and Buy American Act (BAA Compliance) Fraud Defense Lawyers for Government Contractors in US and Overseas – We Help to Avoid Some of Most Costly Mistakes and Reduce the Chances of Civil and Criminal Penalties When Becoming BAA TAA Compliant.

trade agreement act TAA compliance lawyers

Are you a foreign company, manufacturer, or reseller selling medical products or IT products to the United States Government? Are you a USA company selling products to the federal government or contributing to a construction or public works project? If so, you must comply with federal procurement and government contracting requirements. We help you to fix trade agreement non-compliance issues right away.

As a government contractor, you provide important services and goods to various federal agencies. However, a frustrating and confusing part of providing such services is your obligation to comply with the Buy American Act (BAA). This statute primarily deals with the country of origin of your products. Despite having complex twists and turns, that only you are responsible for, making a mistake can lead to severe consequences. Penalties can be both financial and criminal. 

A separate, but similar statute, The Trade Agreements Act (TAA), poses the same burden on prime contractors, subcontractors, and manufacturers selling products to the United States. This can include IT products and equipment, medical products and equipment and more. Federal enforcement agencies have increased the amount of Trade Agreements Act compliance investigations and Buy American Act False Claims Act cases against government contractors.

At Watson & Associates, LLC, our team of BAA compliance attorney and TAA compliance lawyers help companies to minimize the potential for being investigated for Buy American Act fraud, or Trade Agreements Act false claims penalties.   

 By working with our law firm, you can avoid costly penalties and even criminal sanctions that can arise from non-compliance. Our expertise will give you peace of mind and confidence in your business dealings with the US Government.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team and ensure your compliance with federal procurement and government contracting BAA TAA compliance requirements. Your business success depends on it! We will provide you with immediate legal help for trade agreement violations and avoid criminal liability. Call BAA Compliance and Trade Attorneys. at 1.866.601.5518 or 1.855.697.3318 for immediate help.

AVOID OR REDUCE COSTLY MISTAKES AND CRIMINAL EXPOSURE. START YOUR TAA COMPLIANCE PROCESS HERE

Overview

The Trade Agreements Act (“TAA”or “Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act) as stated in Federal Acquisition RegulationFAR 52.225-5 allows the President to waive Buy American Act (“BAA”) requirements for certain goods from designated countries.  If your products are subject to the TAA legal rules, then the BAA does not apply. 

Construction companies, manufacturers, small businesses, and large DOD defense contractors are under more scrutiny from DOJ and OIG agencies. BAA compliance and Trade Agreements Act compliance investigations have become more common and government contractors and subcontractors/ manufacturers must be prepared to deal with government investigators and federal prosecutors. The contracting officers in many agencies are now paying more attention to this area of procurement.

With law offices in Washington, DC, and Denver, Colorado, Watson & Associates, LLC works with clients to handle pending Buy American Act fraud investigations, and False Claims Act civil and criminal cases that can become a nightmare for many companies. We work with overseas and US companies and manufacturers whose products find their way into the US government contracting stream of commerce. In sum, our goal is to point you in the right direction to become BAA TAA compliant. 

Nationwide and Overseas TAA Compliance & Buy American Act (BAA Compliance) Attorney Services

  • TAA BAA compliance assessment of components and manufacturing processes
  • Analysis of complex government procurement systems where multiple players are involved
  • Representation with DOJ and IG investigations
  • Buy American Act bid protests
  • Minimizing civil liability and reducing criminal fines
  • Negotiations
  • Buy American Act fraud defense
  • BAA compliance defense in Buy American False Claims cases
  • Trade Agreement Act compliance internal investigations for compliance
  • GSA TAA Fraud Cases
  • BAA vs TAA compliance requirements – Litigation and appeals

Effectively Handle DOJ Investigations and Minimize Criminal Sanctions

In addition to civil and administrative penalties, government contractors and small businesses sometimes are blind-sided by False Claims Act or Trade Agreements Act investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and or the Office of Inspector General ( OIG). We can help you to minimize the impact of can launch investigations if there’s suspicion of intentional fraud or deliberate attempts to deceive the government. Despite making honest mistakes or a misunderstanding of the BAA or TAA requirements, government investigations can lead to imprisonment, huge fines and more without the help of a BAA TAA defense attorney.

Nationwide Trade Agreement Act Lawyers

What is Required to Become TAA Compliant?

TAA compliance attorneys and lawyersIn order to become TAA compliant, organizations must adhere to certain requirements set forth by the Trade Agreements Act (TAA). The exact steps vary depending on the type of agreement and level of compliance needed. Generally, however, organizations should:

– Ensure that all purchasing complies with the Trade Agreements Act rules and regulations;

– Develop a process for evaluating supplier offers to ensure they meet TAA legal requirements;

– Train personnel on the specifics of TAA compliance;

– Work with suppliers to verify that their products are eligible for purchase under the Trade Agreements Act;

– Track any documents or forms provided by suppliers related to eligibility; and

– Review contracts to make sure that any foreign products are compliant with the TAA.

It is important to note that the TAA can be a complex and confusing area of law. For this reason, it is recommended that organizations consult with a qualified TAA compliance attorney or BAA compliance lawyer to ensure they are meeting all applicable requirements. They will be able to provide valuable insight into how best to structure processes and agreements in order to remain compliant with TAA regulations. With their help, organizations can rest assured knowing they are in compliance with federal laws. See information about substantial transformation under the TAA and how to ensure your medical products and IT computer product meets Trade Agreement Act requirements.

By following these steps, organizations can become compliant with the Trade Agreements Act and ensure that their purchasing meets such rules and regulations.

When meeting the requirements to become BAA vs TAA compliant, Organizations should also ensure that their personnel are trained on BAA compliance, assess suppliers to make sure they meet requirements, track documentation related to eligibility, and review contracts for any foreign products used in production. Additionally, staying up-to-date on any changes to the BAA rules and regulations is critical for maintaining compliance. See the essential steps to becoming TAA compliant.

What is Substantial Transformation Under the Trade Agreements Act?

The TAA requires that foreign end products be substantially transformed in the United States before being sold to the government. Substantial transformation is defined as a significant change in the product’s form, function, or character of an article. Many government contractors do not correctly assess whether their products are substantially transformed.

TAA Compliance Lawyers & Qui Tam Defense Attorneys

Our Trade Agreement Act compliance lawyers defend manufacturer qui tam lawsuits when whistleblowers allege that the manufactured products do not comply with Trade Agreement Act statutes. The goal is to avoid false claims litigation and leave the company open to exposure to high civil fines and criminal liability and exposure. We help you to take immediate steps for trade agreement compliance. See information about the exceptions to the Trade Agreements Act.

Trade Agreement Act Compliance Waivers

 The Trade Agreements Act gives the President of the United States the authority to waive the unique rules that favor American products in federal procurement. Making an argument during criminal litigation or during an investigation can be fruitless unless your Trade attorneys can make the argument that your process on its face meets one of the TAA exceptions.

The Trade Agreement Act compliance requirements apply to government procurement for services and goods at or more than $204,000, and federal government or construction Procurements at or above $7,864,000. The TAA does not apply in the following situations:

  • Acquisitions set aside for small businesses
  • Acquisitions of arms, ammunition, or war materials, or purchases indispensable for national security or for national defense purposes
  • Acquisitions of end products for resale
  • Acquisitions from Federal Prison Industries, Inc., or Nonprofit Agencies Employing People

Nationwide Buy American Act Compliance Lawyers 

Watson’s federal Government Contracts attorneys help clients in various industry groups to comply with the various restrictions and BAA designated country of origin restrictions when selling to the federal government.  Our BAA and Trade Agreements Act compliance lawyers help clients perform internal investigations to ensure compliance with US restrictions on the use of specialty metals produced outside the United States. Our BAA TAA compliance attorneys can assist manufacturers in conducting internal investigations for non-compliance with TAA restrictions with federal government contracts. 

How Does Your Company Become BAA Compliant? Have You Correctly Assessed Your Designated Country of Origin?

BAA Compliance Requirement refer to the requirements imposed by the Buy American Act (BAA), which mandates that federal government agencies give preference to domestic products and construction materials in their government procurement activities. BAA Compliance requires government contractors to ensure that the products they provide to the government meet the Act’s stipulations and are properly analyzed such rules under the BAA-designated country of origin.

This typically involves verifying the designated country of origin of the goods and materials, ensuring they are manufactured or substantially transformed within the United States or Buy American Act qualifying countries list. Contractors must maintain accurate records, certificates of origin, and other documentation to demonstrate compliance with the BAA. By adhering to BAA Compliance requirements, government contractors can ensure eligibility for federal contracts and maintain compliance with government procurement regulations.

For organizations that need to be compliant with the Buy American Act (BAA), there are certain steps they should take. First, organizations should work with a BAA compliance attorney or lawyer who can provide advice and assistance in understanding the requirements of the act. This will ensure that all purchasing is done in accordance with the necessary regulations.

What are the FAR Buy American Act Exemptions?

Legal “exemptions” under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to the Buy American Ac in certain situations provide for  the purchase of foreign end products and the use of foreign construction material when

  • the expected value of the procurement is below the micro-purchase threshold ;
  • the goods are for use outside the United States;
  • the procurement of domestic goods or the use of domestic construction materials would be inconsistent with the public interest;
  • domestic end products or construction materials are unavailable;
  • the agency is procuring information technology that is a commercial item; or
  • the goods are acquired specifically for commissary resale.

Present-day issues with BAA Compliance

Government contractors and manufacturers throughout the United States and overseas have a hard time understanding the ins and outs when it comes to compliance with the Buy  American Act or Trade Agreements Act.

As a result, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Various Inspector General Offices (IG) frequently launch government investigations against small businesses and larger DOD contractors who are currently doing business with the federal government. The thrust of any Buy American Act compliance case starts with the prosecutors of the United States investigating either false claims whistleblower complaints or cases where federal agencies have reason to believe that government contractors have committed fraud against the government.

As a result, the prosecutors can, and often will, initiate False Claims Act cases on both the criminal or civil sides because your company is not BAA TAA compliant.  This can be a daunting experience. This is a situation where the Buy American Act BAA compliance lawyers at Watson & Associates can help.See More On Buy in America Act Frequently Asked Questions.

What is a Domestic End Product under Buy American Regulations?

The definition of domestic end product. The Buy American Act includes unmanufactured end products mined or produced in the United States. The statute also defines end products as those manufactured in the United States, provided that

  • the cost of the components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 50% ( or 55%) of the cost of all components, or
  • the end product is a commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item.
  • This is an area where contractors face false claims charges (criminal and civil).

What are Components under Buy American Act Rules?

A component under BAA regulations  is any “article, material, or supply incorporated directly into an end product or construction material.” See 48 CFR. 25.003.   This is an area where there are numerous disputes during a Buy American Act fraud case or false claims charge.  Be aware that components could potentially be considered as mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States, regardless of their actual place of origin, if

  • the end product in which they are incorporated is manufactured in the United States, and
  • the components are of a class or kind determined by the government not to be mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States

Are You Buy American Compliant? How to Calculate the Cost of Components.

Under Buy American Act compliance regulations can cases, the costs of components are generally calculated based on allowable costs incurred by the contractor in purchasing or manufacturing the components. The statutes and cases suggest that

  • for components purchased by the contractor, the cost of components includes the acquisition costs (including transportation costs to the place of incorporation into the end product or construction material), and any applicable duty (regardless of whether a duty-free certificate of entry is issued); and
  • for components manufactured by the contractor, the cost of components includes all costs associated with the manufacture of the component (including transportation, as discussed above), and allocable overhead costs, but excluding profits and any costs associated with the manufacture of the end product.

What is Commercial Off the Shelf Under BAA Regulations?

Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items for purposes of Buy American compliance typically  include any item of supply (including construction material) that is

  • a “commercial item,”
  • sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and
  • offered to the government without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace.

What is “Manufactured” Under Buy American Regulations?

BAA regulations typically require that your end products at least 50-55% of all components be manufactured in the USA or designated country of origin. Government procurement rules do not conclusively preclude all item processing overseas, so long as certain other requirements are met. These are all complex factual and legal disputes involved during government investigations along with civil and criminal trials.

Avoid Buy American Act Fraud Cases & False Claims – Criminal and Civil Penalties

Watson & Associates attorneys help contractors and suppliers defend against False Claims Act fraud cases from the Department of Justice that allege Buy American Act fraud and  U.S. Trade Agreements Act non-compliance. If you are facing fines and criminal charges for products manufactured in China or other prohibited countries, give our federal defense law firm a call for immediate representation and defense.

Federal Contract Legal Support in All States

Nationwide Buy American Act  Attorneys : Our government contracting BAA compliance lawyers provide legal counsel to federal contractors throughout the United States and overseas including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Virgin Islands. Call our Buy American Act compliance lawyers today for immediate help. 1-866-601-5518.

Call Watson’s Buy American Act Lawyers and Trade Agreement Act Compliance Attorneys

Take immediate steps for trade agreement compliance: If you want to minimize or avoid false claims act fines, civil and criminal liability. As a government contractor, our Buy American Act compliance lawyers and trade compliance attorneys can provide immediate legal advice. Representation if you are facing a TAA vs BAA investigation, high-profile case or some other problem.

If you are an overseas manufacturer, IT or medical products and equipment  manufacturer, or somehow are involved in components for end products for federal government contracts, contact Watson & Associates BAA compliance law firm and TAA fraud defense lawyers at 1.866.601.5518 for immediate help.