(Updated September 20, 2006)
H.R. 2066
General Services Administration Modernization Act
Floor Situation
The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 2066 under suspension of the rules, the
week of September 25, 2006. It is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be
amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.
Summary
H.R. 2066 would authorize a reorganization and streamlining of the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency charged with leveraging the federal government’s buying power to purchase commercial goods and services for the federal government at the best value possible.
The bill streamlines the systems that currently exists within GSA into one system.
The bill provides for the appointment of five “Regional Executives” appointed by the GSA Administrator to carry out the functions and responsibilities of the new Federal Acquisition Service Nation-wide. The language would make these positions statutory and require nation-wide coordination in order to facilitate closer oversight and more management control over acquisition-related activities that are conducted in GSA’s Regional Offices throughout the country.
The bill establishes government-wide policies aimed at recruiting and retaining experienced acquisition staff in all federal agencies whose mission will be to ensure that federal acquisitions are as cost effective as possible. More specifically, this legislation would (1) make available retention bonuses to all agencies for their federal acquisition workforces, and (2) provide that an individual retired from the civil service can become reemployed in an acquisition-related position without having to give up his or her annuity.
Background
H.R. 2066, the General Services
Modernization Act, was introduced by Chairmen Davis and Hunter and would
authorize a reorganization of the General Services Administration (GSA), the
federal agency charged with leveraging the federal government’s buying power to
purchase commercial goods and services for the federal government at the best
value possible.
This legislation has long been championed by Chairman Davis, has been the
subject of multiple legislative and oversight hearings by the Committee on
Government Reform, and was included in the President’s FY2006 Budget Proposal.
Chairman Davis has worked closely with GSA leadership and the Office of
Management and Budget in crafting this important legislation to provide federal
agencies with a one-stop shop to acquire all of their goods and services.
Legislative
History
H.R. 2066 was introduced by Rep. Tom Davis (VA) on May 4, 2005. The bill was
ordered to be reported from the Government Reform
Committee, as amended, by voice vote, On May 5, 2005. House Report
109-91 was filed on May 23, 2005. The bill passed the House by voice vote on
May 23, 2005. The Senate passed H.R. 2066, with amendments making minor
technical changes, by unanimous consent,
on September 6, 2006.
For additional information or questions, please contact the Government Reform Committee at 5-5074.