House passes bill easing IT educational requirements

A bill easing educational requirements for federal information technology contractors passed the House Tuesday.

H.R. 3582, sponsored by Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., restricts the use of mandatory minimum educational requirements by federal agencies when procuring information technology services.

Also known as the Federal Contractor Flexibility Act of 2000, the legislation mandates that federal contracting officials must "sufficiently justify" educational requirements.

Most federal contracts require that vendors use employees with four-year degrees plus added work experience. The IT industry is frustrated by this rule because it can preclude companies from bidding on projects even if their employees have "technical skills that go far beyond those acquired college or work experience," according to the Information Technology Association of America.