The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration and NASA have issued an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation to prohibit the government from procuring and using unmanned aircraft systems made or assembled by foreign entities covered by the American Security Drone Act of 2023.
What Risks Do Drones Pose?
The purpose of the interim rule is to shield U.S. government agencies that rely on drones for various missions from the cybersecurity and physical security risks posed by unmanned aircraft made by companies affiliated with organizations whose interests diverge from those of the U.S., according to the issuance posted on the Federal Register.
Why Do Government Agencies Use Drones?
The need for the prohibition is underscored by the fact that government agencies rely on drones to carry out various missions that generate sensitive data. The use of drones prohibited by the Federal Acquisition Security Council complicate efforts to secure government data, increasing the risk of federal property and asset sabotage and increasing the ability of adversaries to disrupt government operations.
When Does the Interim Rule Take Effect?
The interim rule goes into effect on Nov. 12. It will apply to solicitations issued and contracts awarded on or after that date.
When Will the Final Rule Come Out?
A final rule has yet to be formulated. The government is calling on the public to provide comments regarding the interim rule. The comments will be taken into consideration during the preparation of the final rule.
Comments must be submitted on or before Jan. 13, 2025.
