The House recently passed a bill, The
Accountability in Contracting Act, to address potential contracting abuses like those found in the no-bid contract to Halliburton.
Among other provisions, the bill requires specified executive agency heads to develop and implement plans to minimize the use of: (1) noncompetitive contracts; and (2) cost-reimbursement type contracts; requires agencies to make justification and approval documents for noncompetitive contracts, including defense agency contracts, publicly available; and requires agencies to submit quarterly reports on unjustified contractor costs and audits identifying deficiencies in contractor performance.
The
vote in the House - 347 ayes, 73 noes (all Repubs). Its on to the Senate, where it likely will pass ...then we'll see if Bush signs.