S. 473 would prohibit most federal agencies and contractors from procuring or operating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufactured or assembled by foreign entities that pose national security risks. Several agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Justice, would be exempt from the bill’s prohibitions under conditions specified in the bill. Agencies could receive a waiver, on a case-by-case basis, after receiving approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and notifying the Congress. The new prohibitions would sunset five years after enactment.
S. 473 would require OMB, in coordination with several agencies, to establish a government-wide policy for procuring UAS for nondefense and intelligence-related operations. Any federal agency or department not otherwise subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation would be required to follow the policy. The bill also would require all executive agencies to inventory their existing UAS and impose various reporting requirements.
Based on the costs of similar requirements, CBO estimates that the affected agencies would incur an additional $1 million in administrative and personnel costs to comply with the bill’s requirements. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Enacting S. 473 could affect direct spending by agencies that are allowed to use fees, receipts from the sale of goods, and other collections to cover operating costs. CBO estimates that any net changes in direct spending would be less than $500,000 over the 2024-2033 period.
