TAA compliance and eligible countries
If you sell products on the MAS, where they are made decides whether you can list them.
The rule in one paragraph
The Trade Agreements Act (TAA) limits federal purchases to products that are made or "substantially transformed" in the United States or in a designated country. MAS contractors must comply for every product they list, and they are responsible for keeping it that way over time. Services are not subject to TAA, which is why service-only firms can ignore this page.
Who is designated
Designated countries include parties to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement, U.S. free-trade-agreement partners, and certain least-developed and Caribbean Basin countries. The official list lives in the Federal Acquisition Regulation at FAR 25.003. As a quick orientation:
Generally designated
Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, most European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, and Singapore, among many others.
Not designated
China and India are the two most common surprises. Products made there generally cannot be sold on the schedule.
Always confirm a specific country against the current FAR list. Designations change with trade agreements.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a U.S. reseller address means the product is TAA compliant. What matters is where it was made or substantially transformed.
- Adding new products from a non-designated country in a later modification.
- Relying on a manufacturer's verbal assurance instead of a written statement in the letter of supply.
- Forgetting that a component-level change can shift the country of origin.
How we handle it
During your application we screen every product's country of origin, obtain the required manufacturer statements (see the letter of supply guide), and document your ongoing monitoring plan, which the package requires.
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