Senator Scott Introduces Value Over Cost Act

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced a bill to prioritize the best value available instead of the just lowest cost alternative when choosing products or services for the federal government. The Value Over Cost Act would allow the Administrator of General Services to consider factors of quality and performance instead of only the lowest price.

“The cheapest option doesn’t always best serve the interest of the government, even when we are working to be fiscally responsible,” said Senator Scott. “This legislation would give the necessary flexibility to secure services and products that would have the best quality, not just the lowest price tag.” 

Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full text of the legislation can be found here. 

BACKGROUND:

• The bill allows the Administrator of General Services to prioritize best value (as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation) over simply choosing the lowest cost alternative when it benefits the federal government’s interests. 
• The Federal Acquisition Regulations define the best value by considering factors of quality and performance, not just the lowest price.
• The language in sections 152(3)(B) of Title 41 and 3012(3)(B) of Title 10 is amended to include the possibility of choosing the best value when it is determined to serve the government’s best interests.

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