2017 NDAA Requires “Brand Name or Equivalent” Justifications

The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Department of Defense to execute a justification and approval before issuing a brand name or equal solicitation, which Congress referred to in the bill as “anti-competitive specifications.” The law also requires DoD to review its policy and guidance related to the use of brand name requirements in information technology procurements, towards a goal of reducing the use of these preferences.