(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.