In committee
Value Over Cost Act of 2026
Federal agencies buying goods and services through government supply catalogs will be allowed to award contracts based on overall value rather than being forced to pick the cheapest bid. This permits purchasing officials to weigh factors like durability, past performance, and quality alongside price. While this helps agencies avoid poorly made products, it can also lead to the government spending more money on higher-priced contracts.
People affected—The text does not state or quantify a specific population affected.
Fiscal magnitude—No specific appropriation or fiscal amount is specified in the text.
Reach38provisional · pending reviewrigor: heuristic llm
What this bill touches.
Spending vs. restraintEthics & oversight−30
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Federal procurement officialsGains the flexibility and authority to award contracts and orders under the multiple-award schedule program based on "best value" rather than being bound to the lowest overall cost alternative (Sec. 2).
Who it burdens
- General Services Administration and purchasing agenciesMust evaluate and justify multiple-award schedule contracts and orders under a "best value" standard instead of the previous lowest overall cost standard (Sec. 2).
- Government contractors bidding on multiple-award schedulesAre evaluated on overall value factors rather than having multiple-award schedule contracts awarded solely to the lowest overall cost alternative, altering the criteria required to win awards (Sec. 2).
The provisions, in plain language.
Directs the General Services Administration to use procedures that provide the "best value" to meet government needs, rather than requiring the lowest overall cost, when awarding contracts or orders under the multiple award schedule program.