Us Congress House Bill HB5272

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/25/23
• Refer: 8/25/23

Caption

To amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the requirements relating to truthful cost or pricing data submissions, and for other purposes.

Impact

The implementation of HB 5272 could lead to significant changes within procurement practices in the Department of Defense. The bill is designed to ensure that federal contracts are awarded based on accurate and timely cost information, which could, in turn, impact overall defense spending and contractor performance. By introducing mechanisms for public notation of delays, the bill aims to foster a culture of integrity and transparency among contractors, possibly improving overall contractor performance and compliance with federal procurement laws.

Summary

House Bill 5272 aims to amend title 10 of the United States Code by modifying the requirements related to truthful cost or pricing data submissions. Introduced by Mr. Deluzio, the bill seeks to improve transparency in governmental contracting by implementing stricter regulations on contractors who delay the submission of their pricing data. Specifically, the legislation proposes that any offeror who incurs more than a 200-day delay must be identified publicly, thereby enhancing accountability in the contracting process.

Contention

While the bill seems to have a straightforward goal of improving contractor accountability, there may be concerns about the potential overreach of government regulation. Opponents might argue that such stringent requirements could inadvertently penalize contractors for delays that occur due to factors beyond their control. Additionally, there could be debates surrounding the effectiveness of public notations in actually enhancing contractor integrity, as well as concerns about the administrative burden these new requirements could impose on both contractors and government agencies.