Us Code § 1705 - Advocates for competition

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 1705 — Advocates for competition, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 1705. Advocates for competition

(a) Establishment and Designation.—

(1) Establishment.—Each executive agency has an advocate for competition.

(2) Designation.—The head of each executive agency shall—

(A) designate for the executive agency and for each procuring activity of the executive agency one officer or employee serving in a position authorized for the executive agency on July 18, 1984 (other than the senior procurement executive designated pursuant to section 1702(c) of this title) to serve as the advocate for competition;

(B) not assign those officers or employees duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the duties and responsibilities of the advocates for competition; and

(C) provide those officers or employees with the staff or assistance necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the advocate for competition, such as individuals who are specialists in engineering, technical operations, contract administration, financial management, supply management, and utilization of small and disadvantaged business concerns.


(b) Duties and Functions.—The advocate for competition of an executive agency shall—

(1) be responsible for challenging barriers to, and promoting full and open competition in, the procurement of property and services by the executive agency;

(2) review the procurement activities of the executive agency;

(3) identify and report to the senior procurement executive of the executive agency—

(A) opportunities and actions taken to achieve full and open competition in the procurement activities of the executive agency; and

(B) any condition or action which has the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition in the procurement actions of the executive agency;


(4) prepare and transmit to the senior procurement executive an annual report describing—

(A) the advocate's activities under this section;

(B) new initiatives required to increase competition; and

(C) remaining barriers to full and open competition;


(5) recommend to the senior procurement executive—

(A) goals and the plans for increasing competition on a fiscal year basis; and

(B) a system of personal and organizational accountability for competition, which may include the use of recognition and awards to motivate program managers, contracting officers, and others in authority to promote competition in procurement programs; and


(6) describe other ways in which the executive agency has emphasized competition in programs for procurement training and research.


(c) Responsibilities.—The advocate for competition for each procuring activity is responsible for promoting full and open competition, promoting the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services, and challenging barriers to acquisition, including unnecessarily restrictive statements of need, unnecessarily detailed specifications, and unnecessarily burdensome contract clauses.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3709; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(b)(2), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1861.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
1705 41:418. Pub. L. 93–400, §20, as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2732(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1197; Pub. L. 103–355, title VIII, §8303(a), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3398.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "commercial products and commercial services" for "commercial items".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a savings provision, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.

About This Section

41 U.S.C. § 1705 is part of Title 41 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 41 U.S.C. § 1705. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 1705

What does United States Code § 1705 cover?

Section 1705 ("Advocates for competition") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 1705?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 1705" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 1705 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.