R 241642Z APR 26  MARADMIN 193/26  MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DC I WASHINGTON DC//  SUBJ/GUIDANCE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT REVIEW AND APPROVAL SYSTEM (ITPRAS)//  REF/A/USC/19 USC 2501/TRADE AGREEMENTS ACT OF 1979//  REF/B/USC/41 USC 8301-8305/BUY AMERICAN ACT OF 1933//  REF/C/DOC/MARINE CORPS/2025/PACIFIC MARINES STRATEGY 2025//  REF/D/DOC/MARINE CORPS/2025/MARINE CORPS VISION AND STRATEGY 2025//  REF/E/DOC/IRM 5236-05/MARINE CORPS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT (ITPR) PROCESS GUIDE/31 OCT 2024//  REF/F/MARADMIN/375/11/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) FUNDING, APPROVAL, AND PROCUREMENT/6 JUL 2011//  REF/G/MARADMIN/464/17/FINANCIAL GUIDANCE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) PURCHASES//  REF/H/MARADMIN/176/17/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT REVIEW AND APPROVAL SYSTEM (ITPRAS) 50,000 DOLLAR APPROVAL THRESHOLD//  REF/I/MARADMIN/453/21/UPDATE TO MARADMIN 375/11 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) FUNDING, APPROVAL, AND PROCUREMENT/27 AUG 2021//  REF/J/MEMO/SECDEF/OSD006689-25/UNLEASHING U.S. MILITARY DRONE DOMINANCE//REF/K/PL/118-31/NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FY 2024// REF/L/MARADMIN/471/25/SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM PROCEDURES//  POC/G. S. DAVIS/MAJ/HQMC IC4 TRANSMISSIONS BRANCH HEAD/-/ PHONE: 571-256-8817/EMAIL: [email protected]//  POC/J. N. SIMS/GS14/HQMC IC4 ICC CIO ITPRAS LEAD/-/PHONE: 703-571-6543/EMAIL: [email protected]// 

1.  Situation. This MARADMIN provides updated guidance for the submission, review, and approval of Information Technology (IT) requirements via the Information Technology Procurement Review  and Approval System (ITPRAS). This guidance is in support of Secretary of War orders and directives, statutory requirements,  and in no way inhibits unit readiness or operations. It ensures the Marine Corps acquires IT capabilities that are secure, interoperable, and fiscally compliant, while aligning with strategic objectives. 
2.  Mission. To inform all commands and personnel of the policies and procedures governing the procurement of IT hardware, software, and services through ITPRAS, with specific emphasis on Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance, small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) procurement, and proper justification of requests. 
3.  Execution.  3.A. Concept of Operations.  3.A.1. ITPRAS System and Purpose. ITPRAS is the mandatory system for reviewing and approving all Marine Corps IT purchases to ensure compliance, prevent wasteful spending, and align procurements with enterprise strategy. All IT purchases require ITPRAS approval before funds are obligated. 3.A.2. Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and Buy American Act (BAA) Compliance. Per references (a) and (b), IT procurements must comply with the TAA and BAA. Generally, TAA requires products to be manufactured or "substantially transformed" in the U.S. or a designated partner country. Vendors are responsible for and must explicitly state TAA compliance on all quotes. For greater detail, consult the references.  3.A.2.A Major TAA Compliant Countries Include: Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and most of the European Union.  3.A.2.B Major Non-TAA Compliant Countries Include: China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, and Vietnam.  3.A.3. How to Use the ITPRAS System. Commanders and requestors must:  3.A.3.A. Identify the Gap: Clearly articulate the capability gap.  3.A.3.B. Identify the Solution: Identify a specific IT solution.  3.A.3.C. Obtain a Quote: Obtain a vendor quote that explicitly states TAA-compliance for each item.  3.A.3.D. Justify the Requirement: Clearly explain the requirement and how the purchase resolves the gap in the ITPRAS "Justification Narrative." Aligning requests with strategic documents (refs c and d) enhances approval likelihood.  3.A.3.E. Impact of Non-Approval: Provide a realistic operational assessment of negative impacts in the "Impacts of Non-Approval" section. Well-justified requests with clear operational benefits that consider network security are more likely to be approved.  3.A.4. Previously Published MARADMINS. Per references (e) through (i), specific approval authorities are delegated for ITPRs under $50,000. Requirements must not be segmented to fall below this threshold. Approving officials are responsible for ensuring must ensure submissions are accurate and compliant. All other ITPRAS MARADMINS remain in effect.  3.A.5. Bailment Agreements (No-Cost Contracts)  A bailment agreement is an arrangement where a supplier provides equipment for use at no cost, without a formal transfer of ownership. Despite the lack of a financial transaction, all equipment obtained via a bailment agreement must still be input into ITPRAS for review and approval by IC4 and appropriate network governance review. This ensures all hardware and software are compliant with Marine Corps security and interoperability standards before being connected to the network.  3.B. Specific Instructions for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS).  3.B.1. General. Due to national security concerns, all SUAS (drone) procurements and their components require stringent oversight and must be processed via ITPRAS.  3.B.2. NDAA and SECWAR Guidance. Per references (j) and (k), sUAS procurement and use are heavily restricted. These restrictions prohibit DoW from contracting with certain Chinese military companies and procuring drones manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity, particularly those from the People's Republic of China.  3.B.3. Domestic Operations. Per reference (l), sUAS intended for domestic operation require National Telecommunication and Information Administration or Federal Communication Commission spectrum approval. While not required for ITPRAS approval, lacking these certifications will significantly challenge operational employment.  3.B.4. Procurement of Parts from Covered Countries. Per reference (j), a narrow exception exists for procuring drone components from covered countries (e.g., China) for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) or counter-UAS purposes only. ITPRAS submissions must explicitly justify the procurement for these authorized purposes to be considered for approval. 
4.  Administration and Logistics. This MARADMIN is effective immediately. Questions regarding this guidance should be directed to the POCs listed above. 
5.  Command and Signal.  Signal: This MARADMIN is applicable to the Total Force. Command: Ensure widest dissemination. 
6.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General J. A. Matos III, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//