Rep. Meadows Introduces Bill on GAO Protest Authority

Washington, D.C—On Tuesday, Rep. Mark Meadows (R –NC) introduced a bill that will extend the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) authority to hear protests over civilian agency contracts.

Whenever the government issues civilian agency contracts, individual contractors are permitted to protest the government’s decision before the GAO to ensure transparency and a fair process. A contractor can protest any civilian agency award over $10 million before the GAO. However, under current law, the GAO’s authority to hear civilian award protests will expire on September 30, 2016. Rep. Meadows’ bill would make the GAO’s authority permanent, similar to their permanent authority to hear Department of Defense task order protests. This will ensure that contractors to civilian agencies have the same rights as contractors to defense agencies.

“In the federal government’s issuing of contracts, transparency and fairness are always standards we should strive toward,” Rep. Meadows said. “I am pleased that we are able to update our laws to ensure that civilian award protests can continue, and I want to thank my friend, Congressman Gerry Connolly, for his work in moving this bill forward.”

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) is an original cosponsor of the bill.

“I am glad to join my colleague, Congressman Mark Meadows, in advancing this commonsense reform. This legislation ensures that contractors to civilian agencies continue to have the same right as contractors to defense agencies to protest task orders and to have that protest heard by the GAO. This bill will provide a level playing field and help make sure that the taxpayers are getting the best possible value for every dollar spent.”

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