GovernmentExecutive.com

Even as Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and John McCain, R-Ariz., bash each other on the campaign trail, both are backing a bill beefing up federal contracting transparency.

During a Senate appearance Wednesday, Obama joined Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., to introduce legislation to increase information available through USASpending.gov, a database of federal contracts and grants created under a bill the senators co-sponsored in 2006.

McCain and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Management Subcommittee Chairman Thomas Carper, D-Del., joined as original co-sponsors.

While USASpending.gov lists government contract and grant amounts, the bill would require federal agencies to include searchable copies of all contracts they award, details about the bidding process, assessments of work already done and information on civil, criminal or administrative proceedings against award recipients, among other categories.

Despite the relatively late date in the session, Senate aides said the measure could move quickly given past passage of the database bill and its high-profile support.

"It should be pretty easy to pass, especially with the two presidential candidates on it," a Carper aide said. He said the bill could be marked up at either the subcommittee or full committee level by July.

"Having McCain and Obama as backers is very significant," a Coburn spokesman said via e-mail. "Perhaps they can promote the bill during their upcoming joint town hall meetings." McCain recently proposed a series of town-hall style appearances, an idea the Obama camp called "appealing."

The measure may move alone or be attached as an amendment to another bill. While no companion House bill has been introduced, Obama's staff has shared language with the staff of House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman, aides said.

Various provisions in the bill address government accountability themes adopted by both presidential candidates. The bill would require that the database indicate if contracts or grants resulted from congressional earmarks, for instance.

The measure also requires that the Web site include information on contractor's tax compliance. It mandates enhancements to USASpending.gov through twice-yearly audits of data quality, a public error-reporting system and reviews of data samples by agency inspectors general.

COMMENTS

• I am a small businessman and have two federal contracts. Preparing and submitting a proposal can be a long and expensive undertaking. I very much need all the help I can legally and ethically obtain about a project before I bid. I can then judge if the project, for some reason, is not right for my company and thus do not bid. What is worse than not winning a project is winning that project and then finding out that for some obscure reason I either cannot do it for a technical reason or would have to do it at a loss. I definitely need all the information I can get beforehand. Bob Posted September 12, 2008 5:44 AM
• Transparency isn't the issue it's the lousy that the acquisition folks do. The complaints are always not enough people and the complexity of the job. Well guess the acquisition folks write the play book so if your not happy with the plays how about redoing the play book. It always amazes me that the standard line from the acquisition folks to any question is "FAR" well guess what it ain't the bible its time its disposed of and rewritten for the 21st century, not for the quill and ink. With automation the workforce should be shrinking not growing Dan ketter Posted June 10, 2008 10:58 AM
• I agree that more experienced acquisition personnel are needed; however, agencies don't utilized experienced acquisition personnel that they currently have. Of course, I think it depends on the agency that you work for, but having more "bodies" won't solve the problem of fraud, waste, and abuse in the government. We may be overworked but if management supports just getting the job done in lieu of protecting the public's interests, first and foremost, then it is about time the federal government is open and honest about their dealings. Again, we are public servants. Another Federal Contracting Employee Posted June 10, 2008 9:46 AM