H.R. 5235 · Where this bill is now
Passed both chambers
House: Passed Feb 23, 2026, by voice vote; Senate: Passed Sep 30, 2026, by unanimous consent
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLimits education requirements in federal contracts
This bill changes how the federal government hires contractors. Right now, job postings can require specific degrees or education levels. The bill says contracting officers have to explain why they're requiring certain education—they can't just ask for it by default. It also tells the Office of Management and Budget to give federal agencies guidance on using other ways to show someone can do the job, like work experience.
How it affects you
If you're a contractor or looking to bid on federal work, this could matter to you. Instead of being locked out because you don't have a specific degree, you might be able to show you can do the job through experience or skills. Federal agencies will need to think harder about whether education requirements are actually necessary for the work.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 9, 2025)
Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act
This bill prohibits federal contract bid solicitations for contractor personnel from including minimum educational requirements unless the contracting officer justifies the requirements. The prohibition applies to educational requirements that may be met through education alone, education or experience, or a combination of education and experience.
The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget to issue implementing guidance to federal agencies, including instructions for contracting officers that encourage using alternatives to education requirements.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5235
AN ACT
Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC-1) · Introduced Sep 9, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 5 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 30, 2026: “Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5295)”