S.2137 - Expedited Delivery Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Expedited Delivery Act (S.2137) aims to streamline government procurement processes by amending Section 3204 of Title 10, United States Code. The bill seeks to allow the use of procedures other than competitive procedures under specific circumstances, such as when market research indicates differentiated capabilities, accelerated delivery schedules, or continuous improvements. It also increases the thresholds for justification and approval requirements for such procedures.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is to speed up the acquisition of certain goods and services by government agencies, particularly the Department of Defense. This could lead to quicker deployment of new technologies and capabilities. However, it may also reduce oversight and competition in the procurement process.
Potential Benefits
- Faster Acquisition: Allows quicker access to needed goods and services.
- Flexibility: Provides agencies with more flexibility in procurement.
- Innovation: Encourages the adoption of innovative technologies and solutions.
- Efficiency: Potentially reduces bureaucratic delays in procurement.
- Improved Capabilities: Could lead to enhanced capabilities for defense and other government functions.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced Competition: Limits opportunities for competitive bidding, potentially increasing costs.
- Less Oversight: Decreases oversight and justification requirements, raising the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse.
- Potential for Favoritism: Could lead to preferential treatment of certain vendors.
- Increased Costs: May result in higher procurement costs due to the lack of competitive pricing.
- Lack of Transparency: Reduced transparency in the procurement process.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is primarily related to Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare. The bill aims to improve the efficiency of government procurement, which could be argued as supporting these constitutional mandates. However, the reduction in competitive procedures raises concerns about accountability and potential misuse of funds, which could conflict with the principle of responsible governance. The increased flexibility afforded to agencies must be balanced against the need for transparency and adherence to established procurement regulations to ensure that government actions remain within constitutional bounds.
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).