Encouraging Buy American Policies for the United States Postal Service

This executive order encourages the U.S. Postal Service to align its domestic procurement preferences with stricter federal Buy American rules being developed under a prior executive order. It does not mandate changes but urges the Postmaster General to consider amending USPS purchasing guidelines within 90 days after related federal acquisition rules are finalized.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 6547

Impact dates

Date TBD
Postmaster General to consider SPP amendments after FAR Council issues final rule under EO 13881 section 2

Key directives

Postmaster General encouraged to consider amending SPP price differential provisions to conform with FAR rules
Postmaster General encouraged to consider amending SPP foreign origin material provisions to conform with FAR rules

Who is ordered

Postmaster General · USPS

Timeline

Immediate

EO takes effect upon signing; no mandatory actions required

Near term (90d)

Postmaster General encouraged to consider SPP amendments within 90 days after FAR Council issues final rule under EO 13881 (trigger date unknown at signing)

Long term

Potential alignment of USPS procurement with strengthened federal Buy American preferences if FAR rules are finalized and Postmaster General acts

Risks & tensions

EO uses 'encouraged' and 'consider' rather than mandatory language, creating uncertainty about actual compliance
Deadline is contingent on FAR Council action under prior EO 13881, which was not yet complete at signing
USPS independence as non-executive-branch entity may limit presidential authority to direct procurement policy
Potential tension between Buy American goals and USPS financial pressures to minimize costs