WashingtonExec, a leading publication for Washington, DC-area executives, got feedback from GovCon executives. 

“Booz Allen Hamilton supports the Administration’s focus on Buy American and looks forward to how we can continue to lean forward and help implement the new rules once finalized,” said Julia Donley, vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton. “Given Booz Allen’s long history of successful relationships with small businesses, we will be in an excellent position to support these efforts.”

She noted, however, the timing associated with implementation will be critical for success.

“For instance, how quickly we increase the percentage of products purchased with taxpayer dollars that are ‘substantially all’ made in the U.S. will need to be carefully considered, in order for the demand to be met,” she said, noting contractors don’t want to create undue pressure on an already taxed supply chain.

Others say, in order to build resiliency into the supply chain, this initiative should unfold as part of a broader effort to strengthen the defense industrial base (DIB).

“The Buy American guidance is directly linked to the challenges faced by the DIB and the federal supply chain overall. All of these challenges need to be addressed in parallel,” said Pat Tamburrino Jr., vice president of LMI’s logistics practice.

The challenges of the pandemic highlight a critical need to bolster the DIB and related supplies chain in the U.S. and among the nation’s allies, he said, starting with microelectronics.

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