WASHINGTON, DC – Today the House Armed Services Committee approved legislation to restrict the use of public-private competitions for functions within the Department of Defense. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) offered an amendment to suspend all A-76 competitions for three years while the new administration reviews the system.
“A-76 competitions have not been proven to save the taxpayer enough money to justify the enormous strain they put on government offices and personnel. We cannot continue to distract individual commands at a time when the services are focused on two wars, trying to implement the 2005 BRAC round, and undergoing transformational initiatives,” said Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI).
“The new administration must have time to review the current A-76 process and determine how it can be updated and made more useful. Until that time, it is only fair that the current system be suspended.”
The amendment takes the following action:
- Places a three year moratorium on A-76 studies within DOD, until the administration reviews the entire process.
- Temporarily halts all pending studies until the Secretary of Defense can review and determine if such studies should continue.
- Provides pre-award and post-award debriefings to federal employee representatives.
The bill also includes the following language:
- Clarifies existing statute allowing federal employee representatives to file bid protests on A-76 competitions.
- Requires all future A-76 studies be conducted in no more than 18 months.
*** All provisions are subject to change pending final passage of H.R.2647 ***
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