Defense authorization bill becomes law

President signs a bill that reforms contracting and rebuilds the acquisition workforce.

President Bush today signed into law the fiscal 2009 National Defense Authorization Act.


The bill (S. 3001) mandates changes to contracting regulations, including more competition for task and delivery orders. It also limits to one year the length of certain noncompetitive contracts, such as those awarded for urgent and compelling circumstances.


"This law will strengthen competition in federal contracting, help rebuild the government’s long-neglected acquisition workforce, and increase accountability and transparency to protect taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who introduced many of the contracting reforms in a separate bill that was included in the authorization bill. 


The House and Senate passed the legislation in September.


Read more stories about provisions of the defense authorization bill:


DOD authorization bill reinforces competition, transparency, oversight


DOD bill would raise profile of chief management officers


Bill would tighten task-order rules governmentwide


Administration opposes curbs on contractors