Bill would let agencies pick "best value" over lowest-cost bids
Passed one chamberH.R. 1118Latest action
Sponsor: Byron Donalds · Representative · FL
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Value Over Cost Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Value Over Cost Act lets federal agencies choose the best-value option, not just the cheapest, in GSA schedule purchases.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 1118, the "Value Over Cost Act," changes federal procurement rules so agencies buying through GSA's multiple award schedule program can choose the "best value" option instead of being required to pick the "lowest overall cost." The GSA Administrator must determine that this choice serves the government's best interests, and the same change applies to both general federal purchasing law and Department of Defense purchasing law.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects federal agencies and purchasing officers, government contractors bidding on GSA schedule contracts, and the Department of Defense. Taxpayers, who fund federal procurement, are also affected.
Why does it matter?
The change gives purchasing officers more flexibility to weigh quality, reliability, or long-term savings, not just price, which could make higher-priced contractors more competitive. It could also reduce strict cost controls and introduce more subjective decision-making in awarding contracts.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 7, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Jul 22, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Recorded votes
Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.
House · · Roll call 252
As recorded
- Question
- On Motion to and Pass, as Amended
- Result:
- Passed
- 421
- Nay
- 1
- 0
- 9
Republicans 210 yes, 1 no, 7 not voting · Democrats 210 yes, 2 not voting · Independent 1 yes
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record