Peter Blute: “the legislation before us, H.R. 1670, the Federal Acquisition Reform Act, will enable businesses to compete much more…”

“the legislation before us, H.R. 1670, the Federal Acquisition Reform Act, will enable businesses to compete much more effectively in the Federal marketplace. Each year our Government spends approximately $200 billion for goods and services ranging from weapons systems to everyday commodities. According to a report prepared by the Secretary of Defense, the Government pays an additional 20- percent premium for the goods and services it acquires solely because of the requirements it imposes on its contractors, a 20-percent premium. Clearly, some requirements are needed. But taxpayers pay a premium for many unnecessary, duplicative procedures. H.R. 1670 streamlines these procedures without compromising any necessary safeguards. H.R. 1670 reaffirms the underpinnings of the Government's acquisition system by placing in statute the policy of Government reliance on the private sector to supply the products and services the Government needs. This has been a longstanding administrative policy of the Federal Government since the days of Eisenhower. It is particularly significant at this time, as we are reassessing the role of Government to reinforce our reliance on the free enterprise system as the source of goods and services to fulfill the public's needs. I commend the chairmen, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger] and the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spence] for bringing forth this important and commonsense legislation.”