The SAFE Services Act directs the Department of Defense to give preference to U.S. companies when awarding contracts for professional services such as engineering, architecture, design, consulting, and program management. The Secretary of Defense has 180 days to update procurement regulations to implement this preference to the maximum extent practicable while protecting national security. The bill defines a "U.S. company" as a business organized and based in the United States that is not foreign-owned or controlled, including joint ventures with at least 50 percent U.S. ownership. The Secretary can waive this preference requirement only in writing if the need for a foreign company is urgent or no qualified U.S. company can meet the requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner, and any such waiver must be reported to Congress within 30 days. This legislation aims to keep Defense Department spending on professional services within American firms while maintaining operational flexibility when necessary.
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