SAFE Services Act

Summary

Requires the Department of Defense to update its acquisition rules within 180 days to give preference, when practicable and consistent with national security, to U.S. companies competing for professional services contracts. The Secretary of Defense may issue written waivers when an urgent operational need exists or no U.S. company can timely or cost-effectively perform the work; waivers must be justified and reported to congressional defense committees within 30 days. The bill defines what counts as a U.S. company for this preference (U.S.-organized, U.S. principal place of business, not owned/controlled by a foreign entity) and lists examples of covered professional services such as engineering, architecture, design, environmental and financial consulting, program management, and legal services.

• DoD must update DFARS within 180 days to prefer U.S. companies for professional services procurements when practicable and consistent with national security.
• Preference applies to professional services such as engineering, architecture, design, environmental and financial consulting, program management, and legal services.
• Secretary of Defense can waive the preference for urgent operational needs or when no U.S. company can timely/cost-effectively perform the work.
• Waivers must be written, justified, and reported to congressional defense committees within 30 days.
• Defines U.S. company by organization, principal place of business, and foreign ownership/control limits; joint ventures count if ≥50% U.S.-owned.
• Does not create new spending or change appropriations; it modifies procurement policy and DoD acquisition guidance.
• Applies to DoD contracting officers via the DFARS supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
• Limits on foreign ownership/control aim to steer professional services contracts to companies primarily based and controlled in the U.S.