Jane Harman: “I strongly support H.R. 1670 and encourage our colleagues to vote for its passage. ``Better,'' ``faster,'' ``cheaper''…”

“I strongly support H.R. 1670 and encourage our colleagues to vote for its passage. ``Better,'' ``faster,'' ``cheaper'' are more than buzz words, Mr. Chairman. Last Congress we began efforts to make these words a reality as we began the process of streamlining the Federal acquisition process. Starting with the enactment into law of FASA, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, H.R. 1670 builds on that initiative. I would like to address right now, however, two issues that I think need more clarification. First is the administration's position. My colleague from Virginia [Mr. Moran] read some excerpts from the statement of administration policy, and I would like to read some others, because they bear on the issue of this amendment. The administration appreciates the committee's intent to authorize the streamlined competitive methods the administration has sought without micromanaging in statute. These would include, one, authorizing innovative two-phased procedures allowing elimination of uncompetitive bidders prior to full competitive proposals; and, two, allowing reduction of the competitive range after receipt of proposals in order to conduct an efficient procedure. I do not think, Mr. Chairman, that efficiency is the only goal, but it is a valid goal. The other goals are opportunity, and ``better'', ``faster'', ``cheaper'', and I think what we are trying to do here is to achieve a balance among three good goals.”