Value Over Cost Act of 2025

This bill changes how the federal government buys goods and services through its main buying programs. Right now, agencies often have to choose the lowest overall cost. The bill would let them choose the option that offers the best overall value, not just the cheapest price—when the head of the General Services Administration decides that picking “best value” is needed to serve the government’s interests. If that decision isn’t made, agencies would still pick the lowest overall cost option. Similar changes would also apply on the defense side.

Key points

• Who is affected: Federal purchasing offices; companies that sell to the government; taxpayers.
• What changes: Agencies could select offers that provide the best overall value, not only the lowest price, when approved by the General Services Administration; otherwise, they must choose the lowest overall cost. Conforming changes apply for defense purchases.
• When: The text does not specify a start date.