Value Over Cost Act of 2026
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Official Summary
Value Over Cost Act of 2025 This bill specifies that contracts and orders under the multiple award schedule program of the General Services Administration (GSA) may be evaluated on best value, rather than lowest overall cost, if the GSA determines that to be in the best interests of the federal government. (Best value allows consideration of non-cost factors when evaluating contract proposals to determine the offer that provides the greatest overall benefit. The GSA's multiple award schedules provide federal agencies with a simplified process for obtaining commercial supplies and commercial services at prices associated with volume buying.)
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Value Over Cost Act of 2026 allows the General Services Administration (GSA) to evaluate contracts and orders under its multiple award schedule program based on "best value" rather than strictly the lowest overall cost. This means that when the GSA determines it is in the federal government's best interest, non-cost factors such as quality, efficiency, or other benefits can be considered alongside price to select contract proposals. The multiple award schedule program simplifies procurement of commercial supplies and services for federal agencies by leveraging volume buying prices.
This bill permits the GSA to prioritize best value over lowest cost in certain federal contracts, potentially allowing more comprehensive evaluation criteria in procurement decisions.
- Contracts under the GSA multiple award schedule program may be evaluated on best value instead of lowest cost.
- Best value evaluation includes consideration of non-cost factors to determine the greatest overall benefit.
- The change applies only when the GSA determines it is in the best interests of the federal government.
['General Services Administration (GSA)', 'Federal agencies using the multiple award schedule program', 'Commercial suppliers and service providers competing for GSA contracts']
['Implementation may require updated evaluation criteria and training for procurement officials.', 'Potential for increased complexity in contract evaluations compared to lowest cost criteria.', 'Oversight mechanisms may need adjustment to ensure consistent and fair application of best value determinations.']
The bill was introduced in the House during the 119th Congress and has been received in the Senate, where it was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It addresses federal procurement policy within the Government Operations and Politics policy area, specifically focusing on the GSA's multiple award schedule program.
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['Potential for improved quality and performance in federal contracts due to consideration of non-cost factors.', 'Possible longer procurement timelines due to more complex evaluation processes.', 'Commercial suppliers may adjust proposals to emphasize value-added features beyond price.']
The bill does not provide the full text, limiting detailed analysis of specific provisions or enforcement mechanisms. Oversight will be important to ensure that best value determinations are transparent, consistent, and do not inadvertently disadvantage certain suppliers. Monitoring implementation will help assess whether the shift from lowest cost to best value achieves intended benefits without undue administrative burden.
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