Discussion · House of Representatives
Eric Burlison Republican
“I support this bill. Right now, the government has to pick the cheapest option when buying products and services. That rule can lead to hidden costs later. This bill lets the government choose the best overall value instead of just the lowest price.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support the Value Over Cost Act, H.R. 1118, which modernizes the General Services Administration’s governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program. GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule program is the Federal Government’s most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services. Federal agencies rely on the Multiple Award Schedule to purchase the best commercial products, services, and solutions at the best price. Currently, GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative’’ when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule. This requires a burdensome process that can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden administrative or ongoing support costs along to the Federal Government. This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative. This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies. This bill will maximize the Federal Government’s ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Byron Donalds and Jared Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support the Value Over Cost Act, H.R. 1118, which modernizes the General Services Administration’s governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program. GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule program is the Federal Government’s most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services. Federal agencies rely on the Multiple Award Schedule to purchase the best commercial products, services, and solutions at the best price. Currently, GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative’’ when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule. This requires a burdensome process that can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden administrative or ongoing support costs along to the Federal Government. This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative. This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies. This bill will maximize the Federal Government’s ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Byron Donalds and Jared Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.