Maintaining TAA Compliance and Pricing Discipline: A Smart Strategy for Government Contractors

Written By Tom Mittelstadt

Overview
 For businesses in the federal marketplace, compliance and pricing go hand-in-hand. Staying compliant with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and maintaining disciplined pricing practices are more than legal checkboxes—they’re pillars of operational integrity, competitive success, and long-term government relationships.

This post highlights why TAA compliance and pricing discipline matter and how proactive contract maintenance can help businesses stay ahead in a highly regulated procurement environment.

What is the Trade Agreements Act (TAA)?

TAA is a federal law that requires the U.S. government to purchase only products manufactured or substantially transformed in approved countries. If you’re selling to the federal government under a GSA Schedule or other federal contract, your products must comply with TAA requirements.

Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences—including suspension or termination of your contract. That’s why it’s essential to document country of origin, verify approved sources, and conduct regular audits.

Why Pricing Discipline Matters

In government contracting, pricing is not just about numbers—it’s about trust.
Pricing discipline ensures:

  • Alignment with your GSA Schedule terms

  • Transparency during audits and contract reviews

  • Proper application of Economic Price Adjustments (EPAs)

  • Fair treatment of your commercial and federal customers

Consistent, documented pricing practices protect your margins and reputation while simplifying negotiations with contracting officers.

Compliance and Pricing: Not Just a Legal Issue—A Leadership Imperative

Business leaders set the tone. Teams across sales, operations, and supply chain look to leadership to reinforce compliance and pricing discipline as non-negotiable elements of business success.

At TriStar, we encourage clients to:

  • Provide ongoing compliance training across departments

  • Perform internal contract audits regularly

  • Keep vendor and product lists TAA-verified and current

  • Review pricing strategies in line with approved EPA clauses

Contract Maintenance as a Strategy

Maintaining compliance and pricing discipline doesn’t have to be reactive.
A proactive contract maintenance program can:

  • Reduce risk

  • Keep your offerings competitive

  • Ensure continuous eligibility for federal opportunities

It’s all about building compliance into your culture—not treating it as an afterthought.

Final Thoughts

TAA compliance and pricing discipline aren’t just required—they’re smart business. With the right internal processes and support from experts like TriStar, companies can turn these requirements into a strategic advantage in the government contracting space.

Tom Mittelstadt
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