Enact Legislation Simplifying Procurement

Enact Legislation Simplifying Procurement

Legislation should be enacted to (a) increase the threshold for use of
simplified acquisition procedures from $25,000 to $100,000; (b) continue
to reserve purchases in excess of $2,500 made using simplified
procedures for small business; (c) amend the requirements for posting
contracting opportunities to provide improved access to information on
procurements in excess of $25,000 through the use of electronic
techniques (e.g., an electronic bulletin board or electronic commerce);
and (d) repeal or amend the statutes identified in Table 1 to either tie
their applicability to the new threshold for use of simplified
acquisition procedures or eliminate the requirement for a written
contract clause for purchases made using such procedures. Unless all of
these changes are made simultaneously, the government's efforts to
simplify the process and shift to an electronic commerce environment
will be frustrated. Simply raising the threshold for small purchases
without making the other recommended changes will have minimal impact
because the complexities and burdens associated with the other statutory
requirements will continue to exist.9

Endnote

9. Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972 (38 U.S.C.
2012) and Section 503(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
793(a))