On the recordApril 28, 2010
I thank my friend from Mississippi for offering this very well-thought-out amendment. One of the key ideas of this bill is that we have a high-quality, well-trained acquisition workforce. Mr. Childers's amendment makes sure that that workforce is well trained in a key area, which is understanding that a contract does not simply affect the firm that wins the contract and the employees that work for that firm. It affects the entire region for which a contract is awarded. Now, again, nothing in Mr. Childers's amendment would divert the procurement organizations away from best value for the taxpayer dollar. But what he does suggest is that when one defines the concept of value, it's broader than just the four corners of the contract being considered. The area he represents so ably is one where the economy really pivots on the presence or absence of military contracts, and in his efforts to try to make sure that his region prospers, I know that he wants to be sure, as each of us does, that there is fair consideration of the regional and community economic impact of a contracting decision. I think the amendment that he has offered, which goes to the training of decision-makers, is entirely appropriate in that regard.
