Competition in Contracting Act (CICA)
The Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984 is a United States federal law that requires government agencies to use full and open competition when they hire outside contractors. The main goal of this law is to lower costs, stop waste, and give all qualified businesses a fair chance to win work.
Key Rules
- Open Bidding: Agencies must advertise jobs publicly before they pick a worker.
- Fair Choice: Any qualified and responsible company can send in an offer or a bid.
- Clear Methods: Agencies must use sealed bids or competitive proposals depending on what fits best.
Allowed Exceptions
An agency can skip open competition only in specific situations:
- Only One Source: Only one company can do the work or provide the item.
- Urgent Need: A fast emergency puts safety or operations at immediate risk.
- National Security: Open bidding would hurt the safety or defense of the country.Law: A specific statute tells the agency to use a designated provider.
Categories
- Full & Open
- Full & Open After Exclusions
- Other Than Full & Open