This proposed legislation, titled the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act (FIND Act), aims to prevent the Federal Government from awarding contracts to businesses that engage in discriminatory practices against the firearm and ammunition industry. It mandates that executive agencies include specific clauses in all procurement contracts for goods or services. These clauses require prime contractors to certify that they currently have no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association , and that they will not adopt such policies during the contract term. Furthermore, prime contractors are prohibited from awarding first-tier subcontracts exceeding 10 percent of the total prime contract value to entities that do not provide a similar non-discrimination certification. The bill also prevents structuring subcontract tiers to circumvent this requirement. The legislation defines "discriminate" broadly, encompassing judgments based on partial criteria rather than empirical data, refusing services due to prejudice against the firearm industry, or limiting operations beyond legal requirements. Penalties for violating these contractual clauses are severe, including the termination of the prime contract for default and the initiation of suspension or debarment proceedings against the contractor. An exception is made for sole-source contracts, and the provisions of this Act will apply to all contracts awarded on or after its enactment date.
Firearms and explosivesPublic contracts and procurement
FIND Act
USA119th CongressHR-45| House
| Updated: 1/3/2025
This proposed legislation, titled the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act (FIND Act), aims to prevent the Federal Government from awarding contracts to businesses that engage in discriminatory practices against the firearm and ammunition industry. It mandates that executive agencies include specific clauses in all procurement contracts for goods or services. These clauses require prime contractors to certify that they currently have no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association , and that they will not adopt such policies during the contract term. Furthermore, prime contractors are prohibited from awarding first-tier subcontracts exceeding 10 percent of the total prime contract value to entities that do not provide a similar non-discrimination certification. The bill also prevents structuring subcontract tiers to circumvent this requirement. The legislation defines "discriminate" broadly, encompassing judgments based on partial criteria rather than empirical data, refusing services due to prejudice against the firearm industry, or limiting operations beyond legal requirements. Penalties for violating these contractual clauses are severe, including the termination of the prime contract for default and the initiation of suspension or debarment proceedings against the contractor. An exception is made for sole-source contracts, and the provisions of this Act will apply to all contracts awarded on or after its enactment date.