S. 680, The Accountability in Government Contracting Act of 2007

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S. 680 would ensure proper oversight and accountability in Federal contracting.

Detailed Summary

Accountability in Government Contracting Act of 2007 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to: (1) designate a member of the Senior Executive Service as the Assistant Administrator for Workforce Programs; and (2) establish a government-wide acquisition intern program.

Requires: (1) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish an Acquisition Fellowship Program; (2) the Administrator to establish a government-industry exchange program for acquisition professionals; (3) agency heads to establish acquisition and contracting training programs; and (4) agencies' Chief Acquisition Offices to develop a strategic human capital plan.

Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and defense contracting provisions to: (1) require task or delivery order contract awards that are anticipated to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold to be made on a competitive basis providing notice to all contractors offering goods or services under a multiple award contract, with specified exceptions; (2) require agencies to meet specified notice requirements regarding sole source orders in excess of such threshold that are placed against multiple award contracts or blanket purchase agreements; (3) require a statement of work for a task and delivery order valued over $5 million to specify the basis for selection; (4) require agencies to provide offerors not selected for such an order a post-award debriefing; (5) authorize protests of such orders valued over $5 million; (6) include as a condition for use of noncompetitive contract procedures the public disclosure of justification and approval documents; and (7) limit the length of specified noncompetitive contracts for property or services available from only one source.

Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) conditions required for the award of a task or delivery order contract for services in an amount estimated to exceed $100 million; (2) the issuance of guidance on the use of tiered evaluations of offers for contracts and for task or delivery orders under contracts; (3) a requirement for each agency to develop a plan for minimizing the use of cost-reimbursement contracts; (4) agency deferral of recording an obligation until issuance of a task or delivery order contract; (5) time periods for definitizing letter contracts; (6) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines for and requirements governing interagency acquisitions; (7) OMB guidelines and procedures for government-wide commercial purchase cards; (8) a report on travel by agency employees at the expense of the federal government; (9) agency use of lead systems integrators; (10) limitations on the use of subcontractors or tiers of subcontractor; (11) a report to Congress on the U.S. Agency for International Development's assistance programs in Afghanistan; and (12) the debarment of contractors that are serious threats to national security.

Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to prohibit an inspector general from receiving cash awards or bonuses. Changes specified inspectors general positions from Level IV to Level III of the Executive Schedule. Requires inspector generals to be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of other qualities. Specifies a time frame for the head of an entity to communicate with Congress about the reasons for the removal or transfer of an inspector general.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 10/15/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 420.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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