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H.R.1185 / 115th Congress

Retain Act

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 16, 2017

Retain Act

This bill requires an executive agency to give a contracting preference to an offeror that certifies it will retain jobs performed in the United States and use products substantially manufactured in, and services provided in, the United States for the contract.

To be eligible, an offeror shall certify that it:

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has not relocated jobs from the United States to foreign countries in the preceding five years,

has not established foreign facilities to perform the same function that could have been performed in the United States with the intention of manufacturing or providing the same service and importing the same product or service back to the United States,

will not relocate jobs from the United States to foreign countries during the contract period, and

will use U.S. products and services under the contract.

An executive agency may except an offeror from such requirements if:

the products needed for the contract are not manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and are not of satisfactory quality;

there is an unreasonable cost associated with the use of products substantially manufactured in, or services provided in, the United States; and/or

the use of such products would be inconsistent with the public interest.

If an agency determines that a contractor has submitted a false statement or violated any of the certification requirements, it shall terminate the contract and the contractor may not receive the preference for at least five years.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be revised to implement the requirements of this bill.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13] · D–OH

Committees

  • Armed Services Committee
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.1185 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

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Liberty lens

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