Overview
Title
Directing the Committee on House Administration to take certain actions to promote the procurement of goods and services from the AbilityOne program established under chapter 85 of title 41, United States Code (commonly known as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act), and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants a special group in charge of running the House to buy more things from a program that helps people who can't see well or have big disabilities get jobs. It also asks for these things to be easy to find in their online store and for a new helper to make sure everyone knows and uses this special program.
Summary AI
H. RES. 1401 is a resolution directing the Committee on House Administration to promote the procurement of goods and services from the AbilityOne program, which supports employment for Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities. It requires updates to procurement guidelines by January 1, 2025, to prioritize AbilityOne products and services, including changes to the internal House Supply Store website and signage. Additionally, the resolution mandates that new members of Congress receive information about the AbilityOne program, and it establishes the position of "AbilityOne Representative" within the Chief Administrative Officer's office to increase use and compliance. An annual report on the procurement of AbilityOne products is also required.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The resolution, submitted to the House of Representatives, focuses on promoting the procurement of goods and services from the AbilityOne program. Established under the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, the AbilityOne program aims to provide employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities. The bill directs the Committee on House Administration to update procurement guidelines to prioritize products and services from this program. Additionally, it mandates the establishment of the position of an "AbilityOne Representative" and requires annual reporting on procurement activities. The bill outlines various actions to ensure that the House of Representatives maximizes its procurement from the AbilityOne program.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the primary issues with this bill is the potential limitation on competitive procurement. By mandating a preference for AbilityOne products and services, other suppliers may be at a disadvantage, potentially stifling innovation and competition in the market. Moreover, the bill requires these products to be ranked first on the House Supply Store's website, which could unfairly influence perceptions of value and quality.
The bill also introduces the role of the "AbilityOne Representative," which may lead to inefficient use of resources if not executed with clear oversight and measurable metrics. Furthermore, vague requirements in the procurement strategies could result in inconsistent application across different offices. The demand for annual reports detailing deviations from procuring through AbilityOne might result in bureaucratic burdens without established criteria.
Impact on the Public Broadly
The broader public may experience indirect impacts from this resolution. By emphasizing procurement from the AbilityOne program, the bill could contribute to increased employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, positively affecting this demographic's livelihood and self-sufficiency. However, should this focus limit competitive procurement, there might be missed opportunities for innovation and cost savings in government operations, potentially translating to inefficiencies that affect taxpayer dollars.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The bill is likely to have a positive impact on the stakeholders directly involved with the AbilityOne program, such as participating agencies and individuals benefiting from employment opportunities. These parties might see an increase in demand for their products and services, leading to greater job security and economic benefits.
Conversely, other suppliers and vendors could be negatively impacted as their opportunities to engage in government contracts may diminish due to the prioritized procurement guidelines. This could result in reduced market competition and limit options for procurement officials, affecting the quality and variety of goods and services obtained by the government.
In summary, while the resolution aims to support a laudable cause, its implementation raises concerns regarding competition and practical application. Balancing these goals with a fair and open market approach is crucial to achieving equitable outcomes for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The promotion of the AbilityOne program through mandated procurement goals could reduce competition and limit choices from other suppliers, potentially impacting innovation and market options. [Section 1]
The lack of clear criteria for determining the 'maximum extent practicable' for procurement from AbilityOne could lead to ambiguous interpretations and inconsistent application. [Section 1]
The requirement to rank AbilityOne products and services first on the House Supply Store's website may skew perceptions of value and quality by prioritizing specific products regardless of competitive considerations. [Section 1]
Creating the position of 'AbilityOne Representative' might lead to inefficient spending if the role lacks proper oversight, clear metrics for effectiveness, and explicit responsibilities. [Section 2]
The absence of specified goals, targets, or deadlines within the 'strategic plan' for procurement from AbilityOne may result in vague and ineffective implementation. [Section 2]
There is potential for preferential treatment and lack of competition if the spending favors certain vendors or organizations within the AbilityOne program, leading to concerns about fairness. [Section 3]
Requiring explanations for not purchasing from the AbilityOne program without clear criteria or standardized processes could create bureaucratic burdens and subjective reporting. [Section 3]
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Promoting procurement of AbilityOne products and services for House of Representatives Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines requirements for promoting the procurement of products and services from the AbilityOne Program within the U.S. House of Representatives. By January 1, 2025, the House Administration Committee must update procurement guidelines, prioritize AbilityOne products in the House Supply Store, and include information about the program in new Members' orientation.
2. AbilityOne Representative Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes the position of "AbilityOne Representative" in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer within 30 days of the resolution's adoption. The Representative's duties include promoting AbilityOne products, providing necessary data for an annual report, ensuring compliance with regulations, acting as a liaison, and developing a plan to increase procurement; these responsibilities can also be extended to other support offices if directed by the Committee on House Administration.
3. Annual report Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text describes a requirement for the Chief Administrative Officer to submit an annual report to the Committee on House Administration by January 1 each year, starting in 2025. This report must include details on spending for products and services, specifically highlighting expenditures and purchases related to the AbilityOne program, along with explanations and qualitative information about procurement efforts and obstacles related to the AbilityOne program.
4. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, several definitions are provided for terms related to the AbilityOne program, such as the AbilityOne Commission, AbilityOne Participating Agency, and the AbilityOne Procurement List. It also defines a Member of the House of Representatives to include Delegates and Resident Commissioners, and describes what a support office of the House is.