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119-s-79119th CongressWALLET

ACCESS Act

Sponsored By: Senator Lankford, James [R-OK]

Introduced

Summary

Limit blanket education requirements in federal contracting. This bill would prohibit minimum degree or education-or-experience rules in contractor personnel solicitations unless a contracting officer includes a written justification and explains why the agency’s needs cannot be met otherwise.

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  • Workers and job seekers: Would reduce automatic degree barriers for federal-contract jobs so candidates can compete more on skills and experience.
  • Contractors and employers: Would let contractors hire based on demonstrated capability rather than formal degrees, potentially widening the talent pool for bids.
  • Contracting officers and agencies: Would require each use of an education requirement to be determined, justified, and reviewed in the solicitation.
  • Office of Management and Budget: Would require OMB to issue implementing guidance within 180 days of enactment that encourages alternatives to education requirements.
  • Government Accountability Office: Would require a GAO evaluation of agency compliance no later than 3 years after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

No college degree to bid

This bill would generally stop executive agencies from requiring a college degree for contractor personnel to be eligible for award. "Education" would mean an associate degree or higher, specific coursework, or similar awards from accredited or State-approved schools. Agencies could still use a degree rule only if the solicitation includes a written justification that explains why the degree is needed. The rule would apply to solicitations issued 15 months after enactment. OMB would be asked to issue guidance to agencies on how to make and review those justifications and to consider alternatives to degree rules.

Repeal of procurement eligibility rule

This bill would repeal Section 813 of the FY2001 NDAA as implemented in FAR subpart 39.104, as in effect on January 3, 2025. The repeal would take effect on the date that the OMB guidance required by the bill becomes effective. If enacted, this could change who is eligible to win some federal contracts. Contractors, subcontractors, and contracting officers could gain or lose opportunities depending on how agencies apply the new guidance.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lankford, James [R-OK]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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