National Defense Authorization Act

Limitations on the Use of Certain Telecommunications Equipment or Services

On August 13, 2018, the President signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (“NDAA”), which has a number of provisions that may impact universities and its faculty. Section 889 of the NDAA prohibits federal agencies from entering into contracts, including sponsored research contracts, with an entity that uses “covered telecommunications equipment or services” as a “substantial or essential component of any system” or as “critical technology as part of any system”.  Section 889 also prohibits the use of federal loan or grant funds to procure or obtain covered telecommunications equipment or services.  These prohibitions went into effective on August 13, 2020. 

Federal law places limits on the use of certain telecommunications equipment or services identified below:

• Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company, ZTE Corporation, or any subsidiary or affiliate of these entities;
• Video surveillance technology and equipment used for certain public safety, physical surveillance, or national security purposes and produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, Dahua Technology Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of these entities;
• Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by any of the above-named entities or using the above-described equipment; and
• Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services of an entity that the U.S. Secretary of Defense in consultation with Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country.

These requirements apply to USNH and component institutions due to receipt of federal grant and contract funds.

Expand for Full List of Restricted Companies and Subsidiaries - This list is subject to change. 
If you have any questions regarding the purchase of equipment from a vendor, please contact Todd Lewis - Todd.Lewis@usnh.edu or Joe Gray - Joseph.Gray@unh.edu