ACT Letter on the Daschle-Lierberman Amendment

RE: Daschle-Lieberman Homeland Security Amendment

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), I write in opposition to the proposed Daschle-Lieberman Amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Bill, H.R. 5005.

By removing the risk sharing and indemnification protections for government contractors that were part of the House-passed legislation, this amendment could limit the new Department’s ability to procure cutting-edge antiterrorism technologies. These protections mirror those provided to defense contractors under the National Defense Contracts Act and have a long history of serving the interests of both innovation and accountability.

While these protections are important for all potential providers of antiterrorism technologies, they are particularly important for small, innovative technology companies. Without these protections, thousands of small companies will either choose not to develop new anti-terrorism technologies or simply not offer them to the Department of Homeland Security.

Thus, I urge you to reject the Daschle-Lieberman Amendment and ensure that technology contractors to the new Department of Homeland Security are provided the same protections as contractors for the Department of Defense.

Representing nearly 3,000 information technology (IT) companies and professionals, ACT is the industry’s strongest voice when it comes to preserving competition and innovation in the high tech sector.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Zuck,

President