Chairman Carper Responds to New Administration Strategy to Improve Federal Contracting and Cut Costs

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding an executive memorandum that lays out a strategy for improving performance and innovation in federal contracts while driving down costs. You can read more about the Office of Federal Procurement Policy memo, “Transforming the Marketplace: Simplifying Procurement to Improve Performance, Drive Innovation and Increase Savings,” here.

“While the federal government has made important progress in reducing costly contracts over the past several years, there is broad consensus that there’s more we can do to cut costs and get better results,” Chairman Carper said. “The strategy laid out by the Administration today shows a commitment to reducing wasteful duplication in government contracts and to providing contract officers with the information they need to negotiate the best deals possible. It also takes a fresh look at outdated rules that may stifle competition and innovation by implementing a 180-day review period for current policies and practices.

“I look forward to learning more about the strategy, including new approaches to acquisition workforce training and the management of relations between vendors and government,” Chairman Carper continued. “While the Administration has taken an important step today, it can’t transform the government’s procurement process on its own. As we look toward the 114th Congress, I plan to work with my colleagues and the Administration to explore possible legislative changes that may be needed to help enhance and move this initiative forward. At the same time, I expect the Administration to keep Congress apprised of goals, metrics for success, and outcomes for the American taxpayer.”