U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) has introduced a bill that seeks to modernize and improve the efficiency of technology acquisition.
The AGILE (Advancing Government Innovation with Leading-Edge) Procurement Act focuses on retaining in-house specialists while employing small businesses over government contractors.
“The federal government should be focused on recruiting and retaining skilled procurement specialists within our government agencies, not wasting federal dollars on outsourcing work to costly government contractors,” Ernst said. “By redirecting efforts to acquire the properly equipped professionals and removing red tape on high-tech small businesses, we will see a more effective and less costly implementation of our advanced technology goals.”
Bill provisions include requiring the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the General Services Administration to streamline federal government commercial technology purchases while providing specific training for information and communications technology acquisition; establishing a pilot program to attract more junior and mid-career professionals such as veterans, military spouses, and private sector procurement professionals from other fields into federal procurement; and creating a working group to reduce barriers to government contracting for small businesses.
The legislation is supported by the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, the Information Technology Industry Council, GovEvolve, HUBZone Contractors National Council, Women’s Procurement Circle, and the Women Veterans Business Coalition.