ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13232Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13232

Further Amendment to Executive Order 10789, as Amended, To Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services To Exercise Certain Contracting Authority in Connection With National Defense Functions

This executive order amends a 1958 defense procurement order to add the Department of Health and Human Services to the list of agencies authorized to exercise certain contracting authority for national defense functions. It is a narrow, technical delegation of wartime/emergency procurement powers to HHS.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 53941

Key directives

  • Amend EO 10789, Section 21, by inserting 'Department of Health and Human Services' after 'Department of Commerce' in list of authorized departments/agencies

Timeline

Immediate

  • HHS added to authorized agencies under EO 10789
  • HHS may now exercise delegated contracting authority for national defense functions

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Potential expansion of HHS role in defense-related procurement during emergencies or war

Risks & tensions

  • Context suggests post-9/11 expansion of emergency powers, though text itself is purely technical; no explicit limits or oversight mechanisms specified in this amendment
Executive Order 13232: Further Amendment to Executive Order 10789, as Amended, To Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services To Exercise Certain Contracting Authority in Connection With National Defense Functions · Executive Orders