Bills
| 3.23.22

Should Federal Agencies Use Remanufactured Auto Parts to Save Money? (S. 565)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is S. 565?

(Updated March 15, 2018)

This bill was enacted on October 7, 2015

This bill would encourage the head of each federal agency to use remanufactured auto parts to maintain federal vehicles to reduce maintenance costs.

Agencies would get a nudge under this bill to use remanufactured auto parts when using such parts would: 

  • Not have a significant impact on the quality of the federal vehicles. 
  • Reduce maintenance costs
Exceptions for using remanufactured auto parts would be allowed where their use would not reduce the cost of maintenance, would lower the quality of vehicle performance, or delay the vehicle’s return to service.

Argument in favor

Remanufactured auto parts are basically the same level of quality as new parts — but less expensive. This bill should make maintaining the federal vehicle fleet less costly.

Argument opposed

Giving agencies discretion about when to not use remanufactured auto parts is wise, but may also negate some of the cost savings this bill could provide.

Impact

People who drive or maintain federal vehicles, remanufactured vehicle part producers, the heads of federal agencies with vehicle fleets.

Cost of S. 565

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: A nearly identical version of this bill was introduced during the 113th Congress, but failed to advance beyond the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.


Of Note: A 2013 study by the Government Accountability Office found that federal agencies spent about $975 million in vehicle repair and maintenance during the 2011 fiscal year. The study found that remanufactured auto parts are less expensive than new parts, despite having been rebuilt to the original manufacturer’s standards.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user nooccar)