Competitiveness in Contracting Act

Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 28, 2006

Competitiveness in Contracting Act - Permits, in awarding a contract to procure property or services in connection with a major disaster or emergency, if an executive agency awards the contract using procedures other than competitive procedures pursuant to the exception provided under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 for when the agency's need for the property or services is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the government would be seriously injured unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals, such contract to be for a period of not greater than 90 days, with an option to extend that contract for one additional 90-day period.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3] · D–IA

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 28, 2006
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Jul 28, 2006
Introduced in House
Jul 28, 2006
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 28, 2006 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5981 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.5981, 109th Congress: Competitiveness in Contracting Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/5981

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-07-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr5981/BILLS-109hr5981ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.5981 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.5981 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.5981, 109th Congress: Competitiveness in Contracting Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/5981

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-07-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr5981/BILLS-109hr5981ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5981 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.5981 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5981, 109th Congress: Competitiveness in Contracting Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/5981

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-07-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr5981/BILLS-109hr5981ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5981 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.5981 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5981, 109th Congress: Competitiveness in Contracting Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/5981

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-07-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr5981/BILLS-109hr5981ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5981 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.