Rep. Stansbury Votes to Clean Up the Government Contracting Process

WASHINGTON– Last night, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted to pass the bipartisan Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act to support the responsible use of taxpayer dollars and prevent federal contract awardees from gaming the system to benefit private client interests.  

“New Mexicans should feel confident that their government spends taxpayer dollars for the public good—not to line the pockets of already successful corporations. The federal government’s reliance on contractors can create the potential for conflicts of interest that undermine governmental accountability and put the health and wellbeing of our communities at risk,” said Rep. Stansbury. “Last night, I was proud to vote to pass the bipartisan Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act to promote transparency and ensure that our government works in the best interest of every New Mexican.” 

Recently, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform released a report detailing significant and long-running conflicts of interest between McKinsey and Company, a management consulting firm often hired by the federal government, which frequently completed conflicting work for the FDA and opioid manufacturers. The report, which calls into question whether consultants from McKinsey were providing biased advice to the FDA, and whether that advice was influenced by their relationship with the drug makers whose business practices are a root cause of the opioid epidemic, highlights the need for increased regulation over consulting companies contracted by the federal government.  

The Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act would help to mitigate and prevent conflicts of interest for entities receiving federal contracts by directing the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to: 

• Identify contracting methods, types, and services that raise heightened concerns for potential organizational conflicts of interest beyond those currently addressed in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)  

• Revise the FAR to address organizational conflicts of interest and require executive agencies to take certain actions relating to conflict-of-interest procedures 

Rep. Stansbury’s vote to pass the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act builds on her work to support good government and protect the future of our democracy. Previously, Rep. Stansbury voted to pass the Preventing a Patronage System Act to preserve merit-based civil service. She has also voted to pass the Presidential Election Reform Act to prevent future attempts at decertifying the presidential election.  

The full text of the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act can be found here.