Senate OKs Iraq competition

The Senate approved an amendment to a supplemental spending bill this month that requires new Iraqi construction contracts to be awarded through full and open competition, unless the contracting agency publicly justifies a sole-source or limited-bid contract.

The amendment was sponsored by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore. It would affect new contracts and contracts that are extended with funds from the supplemental. Contracts for reconstruction, expected to total $20.3 billion, are included, as are contracts with private-sector companies providing products and services to the U.S. military.

The amendment does not apply to funds for weapons or munitions or to funds provided directly to the military.