Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act

This bill tells the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to study whether “lowest price, technically acceptable” buying rules—where the government picks the cheapest offer that meets basic requirements—are putting national security at risk. OMB must look at how both Defense and civilian agencies use these rules and decide if they create any national security problems. The OMB has 180 days after the bill becomes law to finish the review and share the results with Congress.

In everyday terms, this is a check-up on whether choosing the cheapest option is always safe when the government buys goods and services. The study could lead to changes that make federal purchasing smarter and safer for the country.

• Who is affected: OMB, Defense and civilian federal agencies, and indirectly the companies that sell to the government.
• What changes: A required review of current “cheapest-acceptable” buying practices to see if they harm national security, with a report to Congress.
• When: The report is due within 180 days after the law takes effect.