Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts and Andy Kim have introduced the bipartisan Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act. The bill aims to assess the national security implications of current federal purchasing standards.

"Federal procurement processes should be efficient, but they shouldn’t risk our national security," said Ricketts. "Our bipartisan bill will review current processes and make necessary suggestions to keep Americans safe from threats, like Communist China."

Kim emphasized the importance of prioritizing national security in government operations: "As people look out to an ever-evolving and uncertain world, they should be able to trust their government is putting our nation’s security and Americans’ safety at the forefront of federal operations and standards."

The legislation mandates that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) evaluate whether the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process poses any national security risks. The OMB Director must report these findings to congressional committees within 180 days after the law's enactment.

LPTA provisions allow federal agencies to choose the lowest evaluated price meeting minimum performance requirements. However, this approach may not suit agencies seeking complex or innovative services, potentially sacrificing long-term value for short-term savings.

The Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act passed unanimously in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 3rd, 2025, with a vote of 417-0. In the previous Congress, it passed various committees with unanimous support.