FIT Procurement Act

This bill aims to make it easier and faster for the federal government to buy modern technology. It trains the teams who handle government purchases, encourages using off‑the‑shelf tools like cloud services and AI, and allows simpler steps—such as demos and oral presentations—instead of only long written proposals when buying tech. It also opens more doors for small businesses by cutting red tape and letting agencies count past work outside government when judging a company’s experience .

It raises some dollar limits so smaller buys can move quicker, and lets agencies prepay for things like software or cloud subscriptions when appropriate. The bill also calls for a public report on how well small businesses are doing in federal tech projects, updates conflict‑of‑interest rules, and does not add new spending .

Key points

• Who is affected: federal buying teams, technology vendors, and small businesses that want to sell to the government .
• What changes:
  • New tech‑buying training on market research, cloud, AI, and cybersecurity; includes case studies and hands‑on learning; starts within 18 months and is updated every two years for at least six years. The training fund share is increased to help pay for it .
  • A pilot adds hands‑on learning into key certification programs within 18 months.
  • Simpler buying methods are encouraged, like demos and oral presentations, and greater use of commercial off‑the‑shelf tech when it makes sense.
  • The simplified acquisition limit is raised to $500,000, and the micro‑purchase limit is also increased, to speed small buys.
  • Agencies may pay in advance for certain tech subscriptions and cloud “tenancy” when standards are met.
  • Agencies should accept non‑government past performance and consider tests or demos when needs are new; guidance due within 1 year.
  • Red tape that blocks small businesses must be identified with public input and reduced; actions due within two years. Buying policies should focus on cost‑efficiency and quality.
  • A public report on small business participation in federal procurement is due within 18 months; conflict‑of‑interest rules for buying staff must be updated; no new funds are authorized.