PSC Comments on Government-Wide LPTA Regs; Urges Harmonization and Accountability

Arlington, Va. (Dec. 2, 2019)—The Professional Services Council (PSC) submitted comments today on a proposed rule that would limit civilian agencies’ use of the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) source selection process for certain services contracts.

“PSC has repeatedly pushed to limit the misuse of LPTA for professional and technical services government-wide to help ensure that buying authorities can maximize value, access innovation, and improve acquisition outcomes,” said PSC Executive Vice President and Counsel Alan Chvotkin. 

“Once finalized, every federal agency will now have the guidance necessary to implement the required LPTA limitations. If this mandate is implemented as intended by Congress, there must be significant visibility and transparency into the government’s source selection decision-making. Public accountability is also essential,” Chvotkin continued. 

The final regulations will implement a provision of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 115-232). PSC worked with Congressmen Meadows, Beyer, Connolly, and Wittman on the provision (Sec. 880), which built on previously-enacted, DoD-only legislation to limit LPTA. The Defense Department issued its own long-awaited final regulations on Sept. 26, 2019.

“While PSC and our members companies welcome this action, we are concerned about the inconsistent applications that can impose unnecessary, costly and burdensome requirements on the contractor community,” said Chvotkin, citing the FAR, DAR and potential GSA Schedules deviations. “Harmonization of criteria and services across the whole of government allows federal contractors to operate more efficiently and effectively in the entire federal marketplace, and will be our priority for additional action.”

PSC has led the contractor community’s push to rein in LPTA at DoD and the civilian agencies. PSC helped secure enactment of both provisions and responded to the proposed DFARS rule and concurrently urged the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) to coordinate with DoD to synchronize implementation government-wide. Listen to Chvotkin discuss LPTA on the Federal Drive: "Federal Contractors Welcome Civilian and Defense Rule Changes." 

###

Media Contact: 
Ashlei Stevens
Director, Media Relations
703.875.8974 |media@pscouncil.org 
About PSC: PSC is the voice of the government technology and professional services industry. PSC’s more than 400 member companies represent small, medium and large businesses that provide federal agencies with services of all kinds, including information technology, engineering, logistics, facilities management, operations and maintenance, consulting, international development, scientific, social, environmental services, and more. Together, the trade association’s members employ hundreds     of thousands of Americans in all 50 states. Follow PSC on Twitter @PSCSpeaks. To learn more, visit www.pscouncil.org.