Software group backs curbs on LPTA in defense bill

A trade group backed by Microsoft, Adobe, Box and other tech industry powerhouses is backing proposed limits on "lowest price technically acceptable" standards in federal governmentwide acquisition efforts.

In a July 18 letter, BSA/The Software Alliance told leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees that it supports the LPTA limits in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act now under consideration.

The NDAA has provisions that would control LPTA use in governmentwide acquisition efforts for IT and technology.

"These provisions would greatly strengthen the cybersecurity of US government information systems in the face of growing cyberthreats and we urge conferees to retain them in the final version of the legislation," said the letter from Craig Albright, vice president of the trade association.

Albright's group was originally formed by Microsoft in 1988 as The Software Alliance. Microsoft is still a member, as are tech giants such as Adobe, Box, IBM, Oracle, Salesforce, Symantec and others.

The letter said LPTA "prevents the workforce from investing in cybersecurity." The NDAA provisions, backed by Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C), would remove the restrictions, Albright said.

"When it comes to more-complex acquisitions involving multiple technical variables or functions, such as innovative information technology or cyber security services, LPTA's priority of price over value leads to acquisition outcomes that actually prevent the government from getting the most for its money," Albright wrote.