Government Contracting

Contracting with the government can be a complicated process, which hinders many businesses from entering the market.  The government should have appropriate oversight and safeguards, while avoiding such onerous measures that deter businesses from attempting to obtain contracts. 

• Acquisition Reform
• Federal Prison Industries Reform
• Competitive Sourcing
• Small Business Administration Recertification Rule
• Procurement Council

Background

The U.S. Chamber has a long-standing policy that the government should not produce goods and services for itself or others if acceptable privately owned and operated services are or can be made available for such purposes. The government saves billions of dollars when it partners with and invests in private sector companies. This in turn helps sustain our nation's competitive edge in industries such as defense, information technology, and management. Despite these benefits, the government continues to perform countless commercial services, even though business has repeatedly proved that it can provide these services at a lower price, with higher quality and a faster delivery schedule. The Chamber formed the Privatization and Procurement Council in October 2001 to promote and protect private sector involvement in the federal market and to maximize business prospects.

The federal government procures billions of dollars of goods and services annually, which amounts to tremendous opportunities for the private sector. In the post-9/11 world, the government is increasingly relying on the private sector to provide products and services to protect our homeland. Government must continue to streamline the acquisition process, ensure a fair and open procurement system, and rely more on the private sector for the goods and services it needs. Federal procurement requirements often create regulatory inflexibility and impose costly administrative burdens on industry with little value to taxpayers. The federal government must undertake more reforms that reduce government restrictions and promote a level playing field for all interested firms.

The Chamber will continue to work to streamline the acquisition process and increase business opportunities for the private sector in the federal market. 

Staff Contact Information

Chris Braddock
cbraddock@uschamber.com