Legis Daily

ACCESS Act

USA119th CongressS-79| Senate 
| Updated: 1/13/2025
James Lankford

James Lankford

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (1)
Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act" or "ACCESS Act," amends title 41 of the U.S. Code to restrict the use of minimum educational requirements in federal contract solicitations. Specifically, it prohibits agencies from requiring specific degrees or educational attainments for proposed contractor personnel unless the contracting officer provides a detailed written justification. This justification must explain why the agency's needs cannot be met without such a requirement and clarify how it ensures those needs are met, thereby promoting a focus on skills and experience over formal education. The legislation mandates that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issue guidance within 180 days of enactment, providing instructions for contracting officers on justifying educational requirements and encouraging the use of alternatives. It also repeals a previous related section of law (Section 813 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001) once the OMB guidance becomes effective. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is required to submit a report within three years evaluating executive agency compliance with these new provisions, which will apply to solicitations issued 15 months after the bill's enactment.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4383
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3517
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2658
ACCESS Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4309
ACCESS Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1049
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-57
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4631
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3983
ACCESS Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3742
ACCESS Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2521
ACCESS Act of 2023
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Feb 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1157
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4383
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3517
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2658
    ACCESS Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4309
    ACCESS Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1049
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-57
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4631
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3983
    ACCESS Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3742
    ACCESS Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2521
    ACCESS Act of 2023


  • January 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • February 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1157
    Introduced in House

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5235: Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025
Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesPublic contracts and procurement

ACCESS Act

USA119th CongressS-79| Senate 
| Updated: 1/13/2025
This bill, titled the "Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act" or "ACCESS Act," amends title 41 of the U.S. Code to restrict the use of minimum educational requirements in federal contract solicitations. Specifically, it prohibits agencies from requiring specific degrees or educational attainments for proposed contractor personnel unless the contracting officer provides a detailed written justification. This justification must explain why the agency's needs cannot be met without such a requirement and clarify how it ensures those needs are met, thereby promoting a focus on skills and experience over formal education. The legislation mandates that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issue guidance within 180 days of enactment, providing instructions for contracting officers on justifying educational requirements and encouraging the use of alternatives. It also repeals a previous related section of law (Section 813 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001) once the OMB guidance becomes effective. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is required to submit a report within three years evaluating executive agency compliance with these new provisions, which will apply to solicitations issued 15 months after the bill's enactment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4383
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3517
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2658
ACCESS Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4309
ACCESS Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1049
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-57
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4631
ACCESS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3983
ACCESS Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3742
ACCESS Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2521
ACCESS Act of 2023
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Feb 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1157
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4383
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3517
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2658
    ACCESS Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4309
    ACCESS Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1049
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-57
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4631
    ACCESS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3983
    ACCESS Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3742
    ACCESS Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2521
    ACCESS Act of 2023


  • January 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • February 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1157
    Introduced in House
James Lankford

James Lankford

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (1)
Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5235: Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesPublic contracts and procurement