U.S. House passes Rep. Derek Schmidt legislation to help small businesses compete for Department of Defense contracts

WASHINGTON, DC: Legislation proposed by Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) to make it easier for small companies to become suppliers for the Pentagon passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday as part of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"The security threats facing our country are evolving rapidly, but our processes for acquiring new technologies and materials to meet those threats has lagged behind," Schmidt said. "That's why as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to support efforts to streamline our Defense procurement processes so the Pentagon can more quickly and nimbly acquire what it needs to defend our country and sustain peace through strength."

As part of that effort, Schmidt added an amendment to require the Pentagon to establish a single application process that minimizes paperwork and bureaucracy for small businesses interested in competing for Pentagon contracts.

"Creative and innovative small businesses that want to contribute to America's national security should not need a team of accountants, lawyers, and government relations professionals just to supply the Pentagon with what our military needs," Schmidt said. "The creative energy and can-do mentality of small businesses are exactly what is required to reinvigorate our military supply chain and maintain our edge over potential adversaries. By clearing away much of the unnecessary bureaucratic burden, my amendment strengthens America's defense, lowers costs for taxpayers by improving competition, and enables more small businesses-including in Kansas-to compete to supply our country's defense needs."

Schmidt's amendment was included in H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery (SPEED) and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA). The bill passed the House last night on a bipartisan vote of 231-196. It now must be reconciled with a different version under consideration by the Senate.

The House-passed NDAA also includes other provisions Schmidt sponsored including:

• Protection against downsizing of Department of Defense (DoD) medical facilities in Kansas and across the country, including Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley;
• Preservation of the National Simulation Center at Fort Leavenworth;
• Establishment of a pilot program to evaluate the efficacy of experimental burn and blast treatments for wounded personnel;
• Prohibition of bans on fossil fuels and plastic bags at DoD facilities to ensure optimal services are available;
• Increased restroom facility access for DoD-contracted truck and transportation drivers; and
• Encouragement to identify and develop expanded training and maneuver space for Army drone programs.

Additional provisions in the bill supported by Rep. Schmidt include:

• Institution of a 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel;
• Preventing deactivation of Army Reserve helicopter units, including the Aviation Support Facility at New Century;
• Prevention of the cancellation of the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail aircraft acquisition, protecting Kansas jobs;
• Streamlined credentialing of military healthcare professionals;
• Increased access to school-transition information for military families prior to relocation; and
• Improved retention of quality Army and Air Force National Guard officers by eliminating a penalty for breaks in service.

BACKGROUND

The Second District of Kansas is home to numerous military interests including the U.S. Army's 1^st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Center and 35^th Infantry Division at Fort Leavenworth, the 190^th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Field in Topeka, and both the Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Air National Guard Headquarters with authority over nearly 7,000 Kansas soldiers and airmen. Congressman Schmidt sought and obtained a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, the first held by a Kansas representative since 2008.

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VIDEO: View Schmidt's remarks on the House floor in support of the NDAA: