After nearly two months of no activity, H.R. 4092, otherwise known as the Binding Bids Bills, showed some new progress, picking up 12 additional co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.
Introduced by Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) and John Larson (D-Conn.), the Binding Bids bill would require bidders to have special surety bonds forcing them to hold to their bid amounts. This addresses the major flaw of competitive bidding’s non-binding bids: that it lets companies engage in the sort of low-ball bidding at prices that some bidders have no intention of honoring. The surety bond forces them to live up to their obligation.
Until this week, the most recent co-sponsors had signed onto the bill back on Sept. 18, but now the bill is enjoying support from a dozen new backers:
- Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.)
- Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.)
- Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio)
- Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.)
- Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-Mass.)
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)
- Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine)
- Rep. Candice S. Miller (R-Mich.)
- Rep. David P. Roe (R-Tenn.)
- Rep. Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.)
- Rep. Mike D. Rogers (R-Ala.)
- Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.)