TRAC
(Truthfulness,
Responsibility and Accountability in Contracting Act)
The
Truthfulness, Responsibility and Accountability in Contracting (TRAC) Act was
introduced in the House (H.R. 721) by Representative Al Wynn (D-MD) and in the
Senate (S. 721) by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL). It is anything but what it’s name
claims it to be! The bill requires public-private competitions of all contracts
that are considered for the private sector, including all extensions, renewals
or modifications of existing service contracts. It also requires public-private
competitions for future outsourcing of all services regardless of whether or not
the capability exists to perform the service within the federal government.
Furthermore,
under the House version, HR 721, there would be a suspension of all negotiations
for new services contracts for at least six months. The moratorium on service contracts
would not be lifted until a centralized record keeping and cost accounting
system is established. The Senate
version, S. 1152, calls for the suspension of new services contracts for 180
days following enactment of the bill unless satisfactory federal agency progress
is made and certified by OMB toward establishing the required centralized record
keeping and cost accounting system on agency contracting efforts.
Several
“mini-TRAC” proposals have been offered.
These were targeted at only the Department of Defense. To date, these efforts have been
defeated due to the efforts of the CSA-led coalition and their numerous
congressional supporters.
For more information (including what is listed below), click HERE (CSA Members only):
White
papers and analysis of TRAC and “mini-TRACS”
Copies
of language of TRAC and “mini-TRACS”
CSA
and Coalition letters to the Congress