Obama Announces Contracting Overhaul

clipped from www.govexec.com President Barack Obama approved an order Wednesday to overhaul the way the U.S. government awards contracts for work to be done by the private sector, reversing a Bush administration policy. Obama joined Republican Sen. John McCain, his presidential campaign rival, and other congressional figures to announce an executive memorandum that commits his administration to a new set of marching orders for awarding contracts. Obama said "the days of giving government contractors a blank check are over" and said changes could save up to $40 billion a year. One area in particular that is targeted is no-bid contracts, which the administration is seeking to change so that there will be more competition for government-paid work.

The president said this could save as much as $40 billion annually. Also of interest:

"We will stop outsourcing services that should be performed by the government and open up the contracting process to small businesses," he said. "We will end unnecessary no-bid and cost-plus contracts that run up a bill that is paid by the American people. And we will strengthen oversight to maximize transparency and accountability."

They'll stop "outsourcing services that should be performed by the government?" Decades of Republican BS take a hit as it now becomes clear that the private sector can't provide government services better than the government itself.

Apparently, John McCain is now cool with that.