A bipartisan House of Representatives group has introduced a bill to overhaul the process by which federal agencies procure information technology products and services.The Reforming Federal Procurement of Information Technology Act would establish a digital government office to oversee IT investments and policies across the government, Democratic California Rep. Anna Eshoo’s office said Wednesday.
Eshoo sponsored the bill with Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.).
RFP-IT Act is also designed to increase smaller companies’ participation in contract bidding by raising the simplified acquisition threshold for small business offerings to $500,000.
“The bipartisan RFP-IT Act recognizes that transforming federal IT procurement requires enhancing competition, attracting innovative new vendors, and strengthening accountability,” Connolly said.
According to the bill’s sponsors, the legislation aims to shorten purchasing lead times, lower administrative costs and encourage a diverse pool of contractors.
