Value Over Cost Act of 2026
Introduced Feb 7, 2025 by Rep. Byron Donalds
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
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.)
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
- Jul 22, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Jul 21, 2026The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Jul 21, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jul 21, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 252).
- Jul 21, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 252).
- Jul 21, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4705-4706)
- Jul 20, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- Jul 20, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1118.
- Jul 20, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4656; text: CR H4656)
- Jul 20, 2026Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Feb 5, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
- Feb 4, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Feb 7, 2025Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Feb 7, 2025Introduced in House