Accountability in Contracting Act gathers contractor opposition

This earlier article has been replaced by news that the House "marked up" a version and later passed a similar version of this bill (HR 1362). What is it about?

Its primary purpose is to limit abuse-prone contracts- primarily sole source and cost-reimbursable. How? By:

Restricting the length of any contract over [originally SAP] $1,000,000 and using "other than competitive" procedures to the minimum period necessary [originally 240 days, as passed 1 year].

• to meet the urgent and compelling requirements of the work to be performed and
• to enter into another contract through use of competitive requirements

Also, the originally introduced and passed bills:

• Require plans for reducing the use of sole source and cost-reimbursable contracts, including measurable goals.
• Increase contract oversight, by publicly disclosing J and As and disclosing audits and other reports that describe contractor costs over [Originally $1 million] $10 million that are unsupported, questioned or unreasonable.

[The bill as introduced added funding contract oversight by increasing amounts for hiring, training, contract planning, contract administration,oversight and audits by an amount equal to one percent of the aggregate amount of contracts awarded during that fiscal year. (my emphasis)]

FInally, the bill hopes to close what it perceives as legislative "loopholes" and will deter corruption in contracting by further restricting the time for a federal employee to start working for a contractor.

Check out the articles and bill to see what is coming down the pike. This has to go to the Senate as well, so it is not a done deal, yet.