Lawmakers aim legislative volley at contractors
Lawmakers aim legislative volley at contractors
A year ago, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) said she
wanted to trim the federal contracting workforce by
500,000 employees. The huge growth in federal
contracting, which has reached more than
$440 billion a year, motivated her to speak out.
That remark continues to get attention, but there
also has been increased activity in the legislative
arena.
In April, Clinton introduced the Guaranteeing
Real Accountability in Federal Transactions Act, in
which she proposes requiring contractors to disclose
to inspectors general any significant overpayments
and possible legal violations.
The day before, the House passed three contracting
reform bills that would eliminate an exemption
for contractors performing work in foreign
countries, create a database of federal contractor
performance and require top executives at federal
contracting firms to disclose their salaries.
"Things are moving at a torrid pace," said Stan
Soloway, president of the Professional Services
Council and a Washington Technology columnist.
"There is a lot of attention and a desire for
action."
Here are some of the major contracting bills
under consideration:
- H.R. 3033 ? The Contractors and Federal
Spending Accountability Act, which would require
the General Services Administration to create a
database on federal contractors' past performance.
Approved by the House April 23.
- H.R. 3928 ? Government Contractor
Accountability Act, which would require certain
contractors to reveal their top executives' salaries.
Approved by the House April 23.
- H.R. 5712 ? Close the Contractor Fraud
Loophole Act, which would close an exemption in
the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Approved by
the House April 23.
- S. 2916 ? Guaranteeing Real Accountability in
Federal Transactions, Act sponsored by Clinton.
Introduced April 24.
- H.R. 1362 ? Accountability in Contracting Act.
- H.R. 1873 ? Small Business Fairness in
Contracting Act.
- H.R. 3867 ? Small Business Contracting
Program Improvements Act.