ACCESS Act

This bill aims to open more federal contract jobs to people without college degrees. It stops agencies from listing minimum education requirements in contract bids unless the contracting officer explains why a degree is truly needed. It also tells the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance that pushes agencies to consider other ways to judge skills, not just schooling. The limit covers any rule that requires education alone, education or experience, or a mix of the two.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Federal agencies, companies that bid on federal contracts, and workers who may not have a degree.
• What changes: No minimum education requirements in contract solicitations unless clearly justified; OMB must issue guidance encouraging alternatives to education requirements.