All transactions with foreign entities, to include foreign universities, faculty at foreign universities, engagements with foreign vendors and foreign governments need to be properly vetted prior to engaging in research collaborations or transactions involving the exchange of goods or services. OPRC, will conduct due diligence searches for research related exchanges and purchases. OPRC primarily utilizes Descartes Visual Compliance to conduct Restricted Party Screenings (RPS) to determine if a foreign entity with whom you desire to do business is on any government issued restricted, blocked, or denied party lists. A foreign entity can be an organization, a higher education institution or business that is located outside of the United States. If your department needs a due diligence search that falls outside of research and/or frequent needs these services, OPRC will provide your department with a free account and training on how to use Visual Compliance. please contact us at researchintegrity@umbc.edu
* The purchaser and UMBC could be held liable for export control violations and possible other sanctions if there is an exchange of goods and services with sanctioned or denied entities.
People’s Republic of China Telecommunications Systems
On August 13, 2018, the President signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (NDAA). Section 889 of the NDAA prohibits federal agencies from entering into contracts, including research contracts, with entities that use equipment, systems, or services that, in turn, use Chinese-origin telecommunications equipment or services deemed to be a “substantial or essential component of any system” or “critical technology as part of any system.”
Section 889 further prohibits the use of federal loan or grant funds involving US institutions to procure or obtain covered telecommunications equipment or services. These prohibitions became effective August 13, 2020.
Targeted Chinese-origin equipment or services include telecommunications equipment or video surveillance equipment or services produced such entities. Specifically, UMBC is concerned with any affiliates of Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation A current list of entities, subsidiaries or affiliates of such entities.
Drones made by companies in the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation
Further the 2024 NDAA restricted the use of Department of Defense funds from purchasing autonomous vehicles or drones and any related software or hardware from Chinese or Russian vendors. That law now also to all federal agencies and includes any grant funds provided by them. Therefore, drones cannot be purchases from Chinese or Russian vendors. If using federal funds to acquire drones for research or other purposes look for “Blue listed” drones that comply with these regulations.
Screening Procedures
Please complete the equipment screening form and submit before creating a requisition for purchases of goods or services or the planned shipment of any of the above items using federal grant funds. Allow for five (5) business days for the ORPC to perform export control screening. Additional information and/or time may be required if there is an issue with the entity being screened. For any additional questions or concerns please OPRC.
Last updated 10/9/2026