The Security Industry Association (SIA) praised both parties in the U.S. House of Representatives after unanimously passing the Local Preparedness Acquisition Act (H.R. 3179).

The bill would ensure that state and local governments have the option to purchase fire alarm systems, access control devices, perimeter and video surveillance systems, and other homeland security products and services at GSA-approved reduced prices.

“The overwhelming, bipartisan support for this legislation shows that lawmakers understand the cost-savings this bill provides state and local governments, and ultimately, the American taxpayer,” says SIA Executive Director and CEO Richard Chace.

The GSA Schedules are catalogues of more than four million commercial goods and services that are currently available to federal agencies at discounted prices. State and local governments have only limited access to the program.

The E-Government Act of 2002 authorized “cooperative purchasing,” permitting state and local government access to products and services only offered on GSA Schedule 70. In July, SIA secured the introduction of legislation that would extend cooperative purchasing to Schedule 84.

The bill will now move to the Senate.

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