From Policy to Practice in Implementing NDAA Vendor Vetting Requirements

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) introduces some of the most far-reaching vendor-vetting requirements in recent history. Chief among them is the Ernst Amendment, which mandates stronger safeguards to prevent vendors with undisclosed ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and other foreign adversaries from entering the federal supply chain. Within the next year, agencies and contractors must establish validated, end-to-end screening processes or face compliance and mission risks.

In this webcast, speakers from across the defense and civilian landscape examine the new vendor-vetting requirements in the 2026 NDAA and what they mean in practice. They discuss how their organizations are addressing foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI), strengthening supply chain security, and moving from self-attestation to AI-enabled, continuous monitoring. Panelists also share regulatory perspectives, operational best practices, and real-world examples that illustrate how to meet the new mandates while building a more resilient federal mission.