Ban on Self-Interested Contracting Act; BASIC Act
Summary
The Ban on Self-Interested Contracting Act (BASIC Act) aims to prevent special government employees from benefiting financially from federal awards issued by their employing agencies. It amends Title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit covered federal awards for these employees and introduces measures to increase transparency regarding their positions and financial disclosures. The bill also mandates revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Code of Federal Regulations to align with the new prohibitions.
Expected Effects
The act will likely reduce potential conflicts of interest and increase public trust in government contracting. It will also require additional administrative processes for tracking and disclosing information about special government employees. This could lead to increased scrutiny of government employees.
Potential Benefits
- Reduces potential for conflicts of interest in federal contracting.
- Increases transparency regarding special government employees' roles and financial interests.
- Promotes fairness and integrity in the awarding of federal contracts.
- Enhances public trust in government operations.
- Strengthens ethical standards for government employees.
Potential Disadvantages
- May increase administrative burden and costs associated with tracking and disclosing information.
- Could potentially discourage qualified individuals from serving as special government employees.
- May face challenges in enforcement and interpretation of the regulations.
- Potential for unintended consequences or loopholes that could be exploited.
- Possible delays in the contracting process due to increased scrutiny.
Constitutional Alignment
The BASIC Act aligns with the principles of good governance and preventing corruption, which are implicit in the Constitution's aim to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). It does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations. The Act is consistent with Congress's power to legislate on matters related to government ethics and contracting.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).