[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 166 (Tuesday, November 12, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5942-H5943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VALUE OVER COST ACT OF 2024
Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 9596) to amend title 41, United States Code,
and title 10, United States Code, to provide best value through the
multiple award schedule program, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 9596
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Value Over Cost Act of
2024''.
SEC. 2. PROVIDING BEST VALUE THROUGH THE MULTIPLE AWARD
SCHEDULE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 152(3)(B) of title 41, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(B) orders and contracts under those procedures result
in--
``(i) the lowest overall cost alternative; or
``(ii) in the case that the Administrator of General
Services determines that obtaining best value (as described
under section 15.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)
is necessary to promote the best interests of the Federal
Government, obtaining the best value to meet the needs of the
Federal Government.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3012(3)(B) of title 10,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(B) orders and contracts under those procedures result
in--
``(i) the lowest overall cost alternative; or
``(ii) in the case that the Administrator of General
Services determines that obtaining best value (as described
under section 15.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)
is necessary to promote the best interests of the Federal
Government, obtaining the best value to meet the needs of the
United States.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Higgins) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
General Leave
Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material for this measure.
=========================== NOTE ===========================
On November 12, 2024, page H5942, in the third column, the
following appeared: Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I ask
The online version has been corrected to read: Mr. HIGGINS of
Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask
========================= END NOTE =========================
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Louisiana?
There was no objection.
Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9596, the Value Over Cost Act.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Donalds).
Mr. DONALDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Value
Over Cost Act. This is a simple, commonsense piece of legislation that
modernizes the antiquated Federal procurement process. Specifically,
this bill provides the General Services Administration with additional
contracting flexibility by allowing for the consideration of best value
in addition to the lowest overall cost alternative.
Instead of just looking at the initial price tag, the Federal
Government should be fiscally responsible and also consider the
contractual value of products and services over time, if it is in the
best interest of the Federal Government.
Ultimately, my bill increases contractual flexibility and contracting
competition, provides clarity for acquisition stakeholders, maximizes
the Federal Government's ability to procure modern technology, and
helps the small business community by reducing regulatory burdens
associated with Federal procurement.
In sum, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this commonsense
piece of legislation.
Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of H.R. 9596, the Value Over Cost Act.
The GSA keeps a list of goods and services that
[[Page H5943]]
are available to Federal agencies for multiple GSA-approved vendors at
different prices. This schedule is known as the Federal supply
schedule. Agencies can order commercial goods and services listed on
this schedule in different quantities at the prices stated on the
schedule.
It provides a simplified process for agencies to acquire goods and
services while also earning the volume discounts for the Federal
Government as a whole.
Current law is ambiguous about whether the contracts and orders under
the Federal supply schedule program must be the lowest price or the
best value price. Best value contracts consider price but also things
like the quality of the product and the expertise of the service
provider.
The bill clarifies that both the lowest price and the best value are
acceptable outcomes for contracts obtained under the scheduled program.
I commend Representative Byron Donalds and Representative Gerry
Connolly from Virginia for their work on the legislation, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on
this bill, and I am prepared to close.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 9596.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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