2021-01316. Imposition of Nonproliferation Measures Against Foreign Persons, Including a Ban on U.S. Government Procurement

AGENCY:

Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

A determination has been made that a number of foreign persons have engaged in activities that warrant the imposition of measures pursuant to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act. The Act provides for penalties on foreign entities and individuals for the transfer to or acquisition from Iran since January 1, 1999; the transfer to or acquisition from Syria since January 1, 2005; or the transfer to or acquisition from North Korea since January 1, 2006, of goods, services, or technology controlled under multilateral control lists (Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, Chemical Weapons Convention, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Wassenaar Arrangement) or otherwise having the potential to make a material contribution to the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or cruise or ballistic missile systems. The latter category includes (a) items of the same kind as those on multilateral lists but falling below the control list parameters when it is determined that such items have the potential of making a material contribution to WMD or cruise or ballistic missile systems, (b) items on U.S. national control lists for WMD/missile reasons that are not on multilateral lists, and (c) other items with the potential of making such a material contribution when added through case-by-case decisions.

DATES:

Effective January 13, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

On general issues: Pam Durham, Office of Missile, Biological, and Chemical Nonproliferation, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State, Telephone [phone]. For U.S. Government procurement ban issues: Eric Moore, Office of the Procurement Executive, Department of State, Telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 13, 2021, the U.S. Government applied the measures authorized in Section 3 of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (Pub. L. 109-353) against the following foreign persons identified in the report submitted pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Act:

Ningbo Vet Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (China) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof;

Ningbo Zhongjun International Trade Co., Ltd. (NBZJ) (China) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof;

Rim Ryong Nam [DPRK Munitions Industry Department (MID) Official] (North Korean individual in China).

Accordingly, pursuant to Section 3 of the Act, the following measures are imposed on these persons:

1. No department or agency of the U.S. government may procure or enter into any contract for the procurement of any goods, technology, or services from these foreign persons, except to the extent that the Secretary of State otherwise may determine;

2. No department or agency of the U.S. government may provide any assistance to these foreign persons, and these persons shall not be eligible to participate in any assistance program of the U.S. government, except to the extent that the Secretary of State otherwise may determine;

3. No U.S. government sales to these foreign persons of any item on the United States Munitions List are permitted, and all sales to these persons of any defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act are terminated; and

4. No new individual licenses shall be granted for the transfer to these foreign persons of items the export of which is controlled under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 or the Export Administration Regulations, and any existing such licenses are suspended.

These measures shall be implemented by the responsible departments and agencies of the U.S. government and will remain in place for two years from the effective date, except to the extent that the Secretary of State may subsequently determine otherwise.

Gonzalo O. Suarez,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Security and Nonproliferation.