CICA (Competition in Contracting Act)

The Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), enacted in 1984, is a U.S. law aimed at promoting fair competition in government contracting. It requires federal agencies to use competitive bidding processes when awarding contracts. This helps ensure the government gets the best possible value for taxpayer money. If a contract is not awarded based on competition, the agency must provide justification. CICA also offers mechanisms for companies to challenge unfair contracting decisions, promoting transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent. Overall, CICA supports the principle that open competition leads to better services and prices.