This bill mandates the modernization of the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) information technology systems to enhance export control efficiency, supply chain visibility, and threat detection through 2030.
Jason Crow
Representative
CO-6
The BIS IT Modernization Act mandates a comprehensive overhaul of the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) technology systems through fiscal year 2030. This modernization aims to leverage advanced tools like AI and data analysis to speed up export licensing and enhance supply chain tracking. The goal is to improve national security by better identifying and tracking entities involved in illicit trade, particularly concerning adversaries like China and Russia. Ultimately, the Act requires a unified, secure IT environment to boost efficiency and data sharing capabilities across government and industry partners.
New BIS Modernization Act Allocates $25M Annually to Speed Up Export Licenses and Map Global Supply Chains
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) IT Modernization Act is essentially a massive, federally funded IT upgrade for the agency tasked with controlling U.S. exports. Starting in fiscal year 2026 and running through 2029, Congress has authorized $25 million annually to drag BIS’s computer systems into the modern era. The core goal is simple: replace old systems with a single, unified environment that uses advanced data analysis—think AI and machine learning down the road—to make the export licensing process faster and more consistent for businesses.
The Digital Overhaul: Faster Licenses, Better Tracking
For the average U.S. company that needs a license to export products—whether they are selling specialized manufacturing equipment or advanced software—this bill is designed to cut down on bureaucratic wait times. The modernization plan (Sec. 2) requires BIS to deploy cutting-edge tools to analyze trade transactions and global industrial relationships. This is supposed to speed up license approvals and improve the user experience for companies interacting with the system. If you’ve ever had a shipment held up waiting for government approval, the promise here is a smoother, quicker process that should help keep supply chains moving.
Mapping the Global Chessboard
This isn't just about efficiency; it's heavily focused on national security. A major mandate in the bill is for BIS to use these new systems to get a much clearer picture of who is doing business with whom internationally. Specifically, they are directed to map out the industrial bases and commercial connections between countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (Sec. 2). This means spotting shell companies, evasive trade tactics, and tracking military end-users will become significantly easier. For companies that play by the rules, this is good news, as it levels the playing field. For any entity trying to skirt U.S. export controls, the digital net is about to get much tighter.
Measuring Success and Staffing Changes
Before BIS rolls out any new IT solution, the bill requires them to prove it works. Success will be measured by clear metrics: does it boost productivity, cut down on manual review (which should save money), and make the underlying systems more secure against cyber threats? This focus on measurable outcomes is key to ensuring taxpayers get value for the $100 million authorized over four years. However, the bill also mandates a review of staffing levels across the Bureau. While improved efficiency is the goal, this review could signal potential changes in personnel needs as automation takes over routine tasks. It’s a classic modernization trade-off: better technology often means fewer people are needed for data entry and processing, which could impact government employees in those roles.