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U.S. International Trade Commission seal

U.S. International Trade Commission

Abbreviation: USITC

Chair (as of 2026): Amy A. Karpel

2026 Budget: $120M

SAM.govCGAC Code: 3400

Website: usitc.gov

The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial federal agency with investigative responsibilities on matters of trade. USITC conducts antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, Section 337 investigations on unfair import practices, and global safeguard investigations.

The Commission is led by six commissioners, no more than three of whom may be from the same political party, serving nine-year terms.

How to Win USITC Contracts

Winning work at the U.S. International Trade Commissionmeans understanding a procurement culture that blends rigorous compliance, deep mission focus, and a preference for vendors who can speak the agency's language from day one. This guide walks through how USITC buys, the vehicles it uses, and the steps your company should take to go from registered vendor to awarded contractor.

Understanding USITC Procurement

The U.S. International Trade Commission obligates roughly $15-25M in contracts annually supporting trade investigations, antidumping/countervailing duty analysis, and economic research.

USITC is a small specialist agency. Contracts focus on economic modeling, litigation and investigation support, and IT.

How USITC Buys

USITC uses GSA MAS and small agency contracts. The Office of Administration runs procurement centrally.

Major Contract Vehicles

  • GSA MAS— Primary vehicle for IT, research, and services.
  • Economic Analysis BPAs— Specialized econometric modeling for trade investigations.

Step 1: Get Registered and Compliant

Required Registrations

SAM.gov registration with UEI and CAGE code, full FAR representations and certifications.

USITC-Specific Requirements

Trade economics or international-trade law expertise. FedRAMP Moderate for cloud.

Certification Programs

8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB.

Step 2: Identify Opportunities

Primary Sources

SAM.gov filtered by USITC.

Key Offices

USITC Office of Administration — Washington, DC.

Top Contract Types

FFP and T&M/LH.

Step 3: Position Your Company

Build Relationships

Attend International Trade Commission Bar Association and ABA International Law Section events.

Relevant NAICS Codes

  • 541720–Research in Social Sciences
  • 541990–Professional Services NEC
  • 541512–Computer Systems Design
  • 541110–Offices of Lawyers

Step 4: Develop Winning Proposals

Technical Approach

Demonstrate trade-economics and AD/CVD investigation expertise.

Past Performance

Prior USITC, Commerce ITA, USTR, or major trade-law firm experience.

Pricing Strategy

Price-sensitive; specialized expertise justifies rates.

Winning Strategies

  1. Specialize in trade-remedy economic analysis.
  2. Build PhD economist networks for USITC contracts.
  3. Use GSA MAS as primary vehicle.
  4. Team with trade-law firms for AD/CVD investigation support.
  5. Track USITC’s investigation docket for demand signals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Bidding USITC work without trade-economics domain expertise.
  2. Treating it as a generic federal research buyer.
  3. Under-resourcing econometric modeling teams.

Small Business Programs

USITC meets small-business goals with modest but consistent 8(a) and WOSB utilization.

Key Contracting Offices

  • USITC Office of Administration — Washington, DC

USITC by the Numbers

Annual Contract Spend
~$20M contract obligations (FY2025)
Contract Actions / Year
~150 prime awards/year
Top NAICS
541720
Research in Social Sciences

Ready to Win USITC Contracts?

Stop guessing — let Blacksmith AI draft your next winning proposal.