Earlier this week, the Department of Defense (“DoD”) issued a proposed rule to revise (and make stricter) the unique sourcing requirements applicable to certain photovoltaic devices that are used in the performance of DoD contracts. Specifically, unless an exception under the Trade Agreements Act applies or a contractor secures a waiver based on public interest
Department of Defense
DLA Energy Plans to Make Utility Privatizations More Effective and Streamlined
Last week the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy issued a statement on DLA’s website about its plan to “increase the productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of [the] Air Force’s utility services contracts” – a plan that dovetails with the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Better Buying Power 3.0 initiative (BBP 3.0). This should be good news for…
DLA Energy Issues Solicitation for New, Large-Scale Renewable Energy Generation Project
On October 17, 2014, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy issued a solicitation for proposals to construct and operate a large-scale renewable energy project at Fort Hood in Texas, the U.S. military’s largest active duty armored post. The Fort Hood project is part of the efforts of the Army Office of Energy Initiatives (OEI), which…
U.S. Navy Affirms Commitment to Use Alternative Fuels
On August 25, 2014, the U.S. Navy announced that it would continue its four-year collaboration with the Chilean Navy to research, develop, and use “drop-in” alternative fuels to power surface ships and aircraft. Both navies have established goals of significantly increasing their use of alternative fuels. The Chilean Navy intends to use renewable energy sources…
White House Announces $2 Billion Goal for Energy Efficiency Performance Contracts
Last week, the White House announced a goal of acquiring $2 billion in energy efficiency upgrades at federal buildings over the next three years. This $2 billion goal is in addition to existing commitments that the Obama Administration made in 2011, under which $2.7 billion has already been committed to fund energy efficiency upgrades. The…
DoD Clarifies Sourcing Restrictions Applicable to Certain Photovoltaic Procurements
Earlier today, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued an interim rule that seeks to clarify when a contractor may use a non-U.S. manufactured photovoltaic (PV) device in certain government contracts. The rule offers guidance to contractors in determining whether a PV device qualifies as a permissible “designated country” device, explaining that the test should focus…