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It's Not Easy Being Green: DoD Tightens up Domestic Preference Restrictions on Photovoltaic Devices

Client Alert | 1 min read | 05.29.15

On May 26, 2015, DoD issued a proposed rule to implement further restrictions on the acquisition of domestic photovoltaic (PV) devices mandated by the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. In addition to broadening the scope of application (i.e., applying the restriction when the PV device is installed on DoD property or a facility owned by DoD or if the device is reserved for the exclusive use of DoD for its full economic life cycle), DoD has narrowed the applicable exceptions (e.g., the component prong of the country of origin test is no longer waived for commercially available, off-the-shelf items and acquisition of qualifying country PV devices requires an individual public interest determination), which will make it even harder for suppliers to comply.

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Client Alert | 3 min read | 03.03.25

HHS Suggests It Will Provide Less Notice and Opportunity for Comment on Grant and Contract Rules

On February 28, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it was rescinding the Richardson Waiver, a policy in place since 1971 which said HHS would provide notice of proposed rulemaking in certain cases where it was not otherwise required to do so by law. This announcement signals a policy shift for the agency and suggests that where permitted by law, HHS will generally now issue rules relating to “agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts” without providing notice and comment to stakeholders, and may otherwise find good cause to forego notice and comment procedures....