Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Passed House
Summary
Limits degree requirements in federal contracting. This bill would bar solicitations from setting minimum college-degree requirements for contractor personnel unless a contracting officer provides a written justification showing why the agency's needs cannot be met without the education and how the requirement ensures those needs are met.
Show full summary
- Job seekers without an associate or higher degree could face fewer automatic disqualifications because agencies must justify education rules and OMB guidance will encourage alternatives to degrees.
- Contracting officers and executive agencies would have to determine, document, and review every use of an education requirement. OMB must issue implementation guidance within 180 days and the rule applies to solicitations issued 15 months after enactment.
- The bill repeals Sec. 813 of the Floyd D. Spence NDAA as implemented in FAR subpart 39.104 when OMB guidance becomes effective and requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate agency compliance within 3 years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fewer degree screens in federal contracts
Executive agencies would not be allowed to require a degree for contractor staff unless the contracting officer puts a written reason in the solicitation showing why it is needed and how it meets the need. An “education requirement” would include a degree, set coursework, or similar awards from an accredited or state‑approved college, and even rules that can be met by education or experience. The Office of Management and Budget would issue guidance within 180 days to enforce this, require case‑by‑case justifications and reviews, and encourage skills‑based alternatives. These rules would apply to solicitations issued 15 months after enactment. An older federal degree rule would be repealed when the new OMB guidance takes effect.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Perez
WA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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