“The American people expect government employees to be wise stewards of their federal tax dollars and to be free of conflicts of interest, and the legislation approved today promotes these objectives,” said Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO).

            H.R. 1362 improves the quality of contracts by limiting the duration of non-competitive contracts, minimizing sole-source contracts, and maximizing fixed-price procurement contracts.  The bill increases contract oversight by requiring executive agencies to make certain documents publicly available and by requiring reports to Congress on completed audits that identify unjustified spending or performance deficiencies.  Finally, the bill promotes integrity in contracting by tightening post-employment restrictions on government procurement officials.   

Chairman Skelton offered an amendment to H.R. 1362 in the nature of a substitute as the chairman’s mark, which was accepted by unanimous consent.  No other amendments were offered.  The Committee reported the bill favorably to the U.S. House of Representatives on a vote of 53 to 0. 

A copy and a summary of the Chairman’s mark are attached.

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