VALUE OVER COST ACT OF 2026

On 2026-07-20, Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "VALUE OVER COST ACT OF 2026" in the House.

VALUE OVER COST ACT OF 2026

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [House] [Page H4656] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] VALUE OVER COST ACT OF 2026 Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1118) to amend title 41, United States Code, and title 10, United States Code, to provide best value through the multiple award schedule program, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1118 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Value Over Cost Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. PROVIDING BEST VALUE THROUGH THE MULTIPLE AWARD SCHEDULE PROGRAM. Section 152(3)(B) of title 41, United States Code, is amended by striking ``lowest overall cost alternative'' and inserting ``best value''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Burlison) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri. General Leave Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Missouri? There was no objection. Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support the Value Over Cost Act, H.R. 1118, which modernizes the General Services Administration's governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program. GSA's Multiple Award Schedule program is the Federal Government's most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services. Federal agencies rely on the Multiple Award Schedule to purchase the best commercial products, services, and solutions at the best price. Currently, GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative'' when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule. This requires a burdensome process that can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden administrative or ongoing support costs along to the Federal Government. This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative. This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies. This bill will maximize the Federal Government's ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Byron Donalds and Jared Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1118, the Value Over Cost Act of 2026, as well. The GSA maintains a list of goods and services that they can order from vendors called the Multiple Award Schedule. This simplified process allows the government to make orders quickly and get discounts for bulk purchases. The Value Over Cost Act would clarify that the government can choose these contracts based on best quality, not just lowest cost. These are known as best value contracts. This is a commonsense bill that will make sure the Federal Government spends its dollars wisely while delivering for the American people the services they need. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important governmentwide procurement reform bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Burlison) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1118, as amended. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR1118, HR1118