Sponsors (120)
The bill preserves access to federal contracts for firearm-related businesses and gives agencies clearer enforcement tools, but does so by imposing certification requirements that raise compliance and administrative costs, risk reducing competition (and raising taxpayer costs), and invite legal disputes.
Firearm-related small businesses (manufacturers, sellers) remain eligible to participate in federal contracting because prime contractors and first-tier subcontractors can certify non-discrimination, reducing the chance they will be excluded from contracts.
Federal agencies and vendors gain clearer procurement rules and enforcement tools—contractual remedies (termination for default) and suspension/debarment—making vendor selection and contract enforcement more predictable.
Taxpayers and federal buyers may face higher contract costs because limiting eligible first-tier subcontractors can reduce competition and flexibility in procurement.
Federal contracting officers and agencies will incur additional administrative burdens to enforce certifications, monitor subcontract tiers, and pursue suspension/debarment actions, increasing government workload and oversight costs.
Prime contractors and first-tier subcontractors (including small businesses) will face increased compliance costs to verify, document, and manage certification requirements.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires non-sole-source federal contractors to certify they do not discriminate against firearm entities and to flow that requirement to major first-tier subcontractors.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by John Bergman · Last progress January 3, 2025
Requires federal executive agencies, for non-sole-source procurement contracts awarded after enactment, to include a clause that bars awarding such contracts unless the prime contractor certifies it does not discriminate against firearm-related businesses or trade associations and will not adopt discriminatory policies during the contract term. Primes must flow that certification to any first-tier subcontractors that account for more than 10% of the prime contract, and violations may lead to contract termination and suspension or debarment.