Contractor advocates are concerned that new legislation moving through the House could result in a more rigid suspension and debarment process.

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has approved a bill known as the SUSPEND (Stop Unworthy Spending) Act, which proposes a centralized board to manage all agency suspension and debarment issues.

The idea is to create a more consistent system — though some agencies would be able to use waivers to maintain their own suspension and debarment processes.

There were 836 discretionary suspensions and 1,722 discretionary debarments in fiscal 2012, according to data provided by the committee. Both figures represent a decrease from the previous year.

A committee spokesman said in past years some agencies have reported very few suspension or debarment actions — despite significant contract spending.

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