It's about time big business grew a set and started standing up to the government and making them feel the pain of stupid laws and regulations.
So9
A number of years ago, an associate in an HD store signed a government contract under which HD lost several hundred thousand dollars in complying with. At that time, employees were told not to deal with government purchases. They had to make a bright line rule, so the associates understood that under no circumstances were they authorized to deal with government contracts.
Recently, after the 9/11 attacks occurred, HD became concerned about delivery trucks being sabotaged en route to deliveries at federal facilities (and the incumbent liabilities therefor), hence the prohibition on CASH purchases that require delivery to federal properties. However, HD has a subsidiary company that deals with sensitive deliveries.