S.2136 - Smart Pricing Practices Permanence Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.2136, the Smart Pricing Practices Permanence Act, aims to modify and extend a pilot program designed to accelerate contracting and pricing processes within the government. Specifically, it amends Section 890 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. The bill seeks to streamline reporting requirements and eliminate a subsection of the original act.
The primary changes involve replacing "minimal reporting" with "no unique reporting" and striking subsection (d) of the original act. This suggests a move towards reducing bureaucratic overhead in government contracting.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on June 18, 2025, by Mr. Sheehy and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is a more efficient and streamlined contracting process, particularly within the Department of Defense. By reducing reporting requirements, the bill aims to accelerate the acquisition of goods and services.
This could lead to faster deployment of resources and potentially lower costs for the government. However, reduced reporting could also decrease transparency and oversight.
Potential Benefits
- Faster acquisition of necessary goods and services for national defense.
- Reduced administrative burden for government contractors.
- Potential cost savings for the government due to streamlined processes.
- Increased efficiency in government operations.
- Encourages innovation by making it easier for companies to work with the government.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced transparency in government contracting.
- Potential for increased risk of fraud or abuse due to decreased oversight.
- May disproportionately benefit larger contractors who are better equipped to navigate the contracting process, even with reduced reporting.
- Could lead to less accountability in the use of taxpayer money.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare. By aiming to improve the efficiency of government contracting, the bill could be seen as an effort to better fulfill these constitutional mandates.
However, the reduction in reporting requirements could raise concerns about accountability and transparency, potentially conflicting with the spirit of ensuring responsible governance. The specific impact on constitutional principles depends on how the reduced reporting affects oversight and prevents potential abuses.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).