# D.C. Circuit Upholds DoW Anthropic Restrictions

On September 25, 2026, the D.C. Circuit upheld the Department of War’s authority under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) to designate Anthropic as a supply-chain risk. The ruling allows the department to direct contractors to stop using Anthropic products on Department of War contract work, making contractor product inventories and contract-specific usage controls relevant to ongoing performance. Contractors should distinguish Department of War contract use from commercial use and review SAM.gov and contracting-officer communications for written orders or contract modifications.

- Contractors performing Department of War work should inventory Anthropic products used on that work and keep commercial use segregated from contract work.
- The ruling affirms the department’s authority to issue directions; contractors should look for written orders or contract modifications for applicable contract-specific instructions.
- Companies should use SAM.gov and contracting-officer communications, as identified in the signal, to check for such instructions and assess impacts on their contract performance.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 29, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of War (DoW)
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit)

### Vendors
- Anthropic (AI product provider designated as a supply-chain risk)

### Sources
- [D.C. Circuit Rules Pentagon Can Exclude Anthropic From Supply Chain | Legal 500](https://www.legal500.com/intelligence/united-states/government-public-sector/dc-circuit-rules-pentagon-can-exclude-anthropic-from-supply-chain) - Legal 500