On Thursday, June 13, Rob Burton presented testimony on the negative impact of certain government-wide strategic sourcing contracts on small businesses before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce. He testified with representatives of major industry trade associations and expressed concern about a recent directive from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy that mandates agency use of government-wide strategic sourcing contracts. He argued that the mandatory use of the contract vehicles will reduce competition and the pool of eligible small business contractors. He also expressed concern about the government's increased use of low-price technically acceptable (LPTA) contracts (recent government–wide strategic sourcing vehicles are designed as LPTA contracts). Rob stressed that the government's strategic sourcing initiative should be planned and implemented carefully, emphasizing maximum small business participation, competition, and best value for the taxpayers.
Read Rob Burton's full congressional testimony.
View the subcommittee hearing, "Putting the Strategy in Sourcing: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Business Contractors." (Burton Opening Statement, 16:11 – 21:43)
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