Washington - U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-MI), Co-Chair of the Congressional Automotive Caucus, introduced the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act of 2014, legislation designed to save taxpayer dollars on repair of government vehicles by encouraging the use of remanufactured automotive parts. Peters was joined by Rep. James Lankford (R-OK), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, on this bipartisan measure to reduce taxpayer burden, promote conservation and support the U.S. auto supply industry.

Peters said, “Congress has a duty to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars. That is why I’m proud to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that provides oversight of federal vehicle repair and maintenance, which is a nearly $1 billion annual expense. Remanufactured parts are often less expensive than new parts and they save energy, conserve landfill space and reduce air pollution. ”

Remanufactured parts are often less expensive than similar new parts and have been returned to same-as-new condition using a standardized industrial process. The parts, such as engines, transmissions, alternators and starters, are fully-warranted and do not compromise the safety or quality of the vehicle, its performance or its operator. The bill requires all heads of federal agencies to encourage the use of remanufactured parts when doing so lowers costs, maintains quality and performance and does not compromise safety. This legislation provides the necessary oversight to ensure that federal agencies are considering remanufactured parts in order to control repair and maintenance costs.  The Motor and Equipment manufacturers Association (MEMA) has endorsed the measure.

“I am proud to join Rep. Peters to produce this common-sense solution that implements cost-saving measures and improves our federal procurement procedures,” Lankford said. “Whenever we have an opportunity to make government work smarter and more efficiently, we should work together to do it. This bill accomplishes just that.”  

In December 2011, Representatives Peters and Lankford requested a Government Accountability Office study on the potential for using remanufactured parts in order to reduce repair and maintenance costs of government vehicles. The GAO study released in March 2013 confirmed that remanufactured parts present an opportunity to reduce vehicle repair and maintenance expenses. The federal government spends nearly $1 billion per year on repair and maintenance of 588,000 government vehicles. Agencies including the US Postal Service and Department of Interior informed GAO that they rely on remanufactured parts in order to sustain their vehicle fleets in a cost effective manner.

###