Export control is featured topic of the next BAFWG

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HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The next Boston Area Fraud Working Group training session is set for Nov. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. Experts in the arena of export control will be educating the Hanscom acquisition workforce.

Specifically, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Siegmann, from the Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit in Boston, will be briefing on applicable export control laws, including the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, as well as case studies and current trends.

Additionally, Bill Higgins, from the Department of Commerce, will discuss export control issues relating to foreign nationals (deemed exports), trends in procurement activities by countries of concern and export control reform.

Anthony Scalice, 66th Air Base Group Judge Advocate acquisition fraud counsel, makes administrative action recommendations to suspension and debarment officials throughout the Department of Defense. He says violations of export control laws or lack of an export control program could yield such a recommendation as a contractor non-responsibility factor under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Subpart 9.4.

Scalice points out that this topic affects a wide array of programs and is a great training opportunity for all acquisition professionals in contracting, engineering, financial management, life cycle logistics, program management and personnel who deal with Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.

Unfortunately, there are several Hanscom cases involving export control issues.

"These cases not only involve contractor actions, but also involve government personnel providing export controlled information to entities they are not familiar with," said Scalice. "This could lead to unforeseen export control violations."

He urges all acquisition professionals to attend this training.

"This is not an area that is isolated to just contracting or just financial management," Scalice said. "All programs will benefit from a broad knowledge base of export control. Perhaps above all, national security suffers from a lack of knowledge of export control regulations and issues."

Attendees should sign up through the ACQ Now site, accessible through HanscomNet, to receive three continuous learning points and to ensure the Hanscom Conference Center accommodates all attendees.