Federal agencies buy goods and services through GSA's "multiple award schedule" program, a shared purchasing system meant to get the government a good deal. Current law generally requires purchases under this program to go with the lowest-cost option available. This bill would let the General Services Administration instead select the "best value" bid — weighing quality, past performance, and other factors beyond price — whenever it determines that approach better serves the government's interests. The same change would apply to the Department of Defense's version of the program. Federal contractors of all sizes bidding on these contracts would be affected, since price alone would no longer always decide who wins.
Corporate Benefits
- Federal contract award standard — GSA schedule contracts may use best-value bids, not just lowest cost
Congressional Summary
Value Over Cost Act of 2025This bill specifies that contracts and orders under the multiple award schedule program of the General Services Administration (GSA) may be evaluated on best value, rather than lowest overall cost, if the GSA determines that to be in the best interests of the federal government. (Best value allows consideration of non-cost factors when evaluating contract proposals to determine the offer that provides the greatest overall benefit. The GSA's multiple award schedules provide federal agencies with a simplified process for obtaining commercial supplies and commercial services at prices associated with volume buying.)
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-02-07
- Date Added
- 2026-07-16
- Source
- Congress.gov →
Like reading a bill in plain English?
We're building an app that does this for every bill in Congress and lets you tell your reps how you want them to vote. We're a small team getting ready to launch, and we're trying to show investors that real people want this. Be one of them. Help us get it built. Leave your email and we'll tell you the moment the app is ready.