Lawmakers aim legislative volley at contractors
A year ago, Sen. Hillary Clinton 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.
A year ago, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) said shewanted to trim the federal contracting workforce by500,000 employees. The huge growth in federalcontracting, which has reached more than$440 billion a year, motivated her to speak out.That remark continues to get attention, but therealso has been increased activity in the legislativearena.In April, Clinton introduced the GuaranteeingReal Accountability in Federal Transactions Act, inwhich she proposes requiring contractors to discloseto inspectors general any significant overpaymentsand possible legal violations.The day before, the House passed three contractingreform bills that would eliminate an exemptionfor contractors performing work in foreigncountries, create a database of federal contractorperformance and require top executives at federalcontracting firms to disclose their salaries."Things are moving at a torrid pace," said StanSoloway, president of the Professional ServicesCouncil and a Washington Technology columnist."There is a lot of attention and a desire foraction."Here are some of the major contracting billsunder 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.
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