Plain Language in Contracting Act

Plain Language in Contracting Act – Plain English Summary

This bill aims to make federal government contracts easier to read and understand, particularly for small businesses that want to do business with the government. It would require that contracts and related documents issued by federal agencies be written in clear, straightforward language — avoiding confusing legal terms, bureaucratic jargon, and overly complex wording whenever possible. The goal is to make the contracting process more accessible to a wider range of businesses, not just those with lawyers or specialists on staff.

Small business owners are the primary group this bill is designed to help. Currently, federal contracts can be filled with dense legal language that is difficult for everyday business owners to interpret, which can discourage smaller companies from pursuing government contracts or lead to misunderstandings about the terms they are agreeing to. By requiring clearer language, the bill seeks to level the playing field and make it easier for small businesses to compete for federal contracts alongside larger corporations that have more resources.

The bill has passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote and has been sent to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for further consideration. If it becomes law, federal agencies would need to review and update how they write contracting documents to meet plain language standards. The broader public benefit would be greater competition among businesses bidding for government work, which could potentially lead to better value for taxpayers.