HR 5235

Summary

Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act This bill prohibits federal contract bid solicitations for contractor personnel from including minimum educational requirements unless the contracting officer justifies the requirements. The prohibition applies to educational requirements that may be met through education alone, education or experience, or a combination of education and experience. The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget to issue implementing guidance to federal agencies, including instructions for contracting officers that encourage using alternatives to education requirements.

Bill status

Status

Passed House

Sponsor

Rep. Nancy Mace [R-SC-1]

Cosponsors

2

Policy area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced

2025-09-09

Latest action

2026-02-24: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Committee referrals

• Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee: Senate · Referred To · 2026-02-24
• Oversight and Government Reform Committee: House · Markup By · 2025-12-02
• Oversight and Government Reform Committee: House · Referred To · 2025-09-09

Recent actions

• 2026-02-24: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
• 2026-02-23: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-02-23: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
• 2026-02-23: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2247)
• 2026-02-23: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5235.