S. 872: Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025

The Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency regarding federal funding, specifically by making sure that 'other transaction agreements' (OTAs) are reported to a public website, USAspending.gov. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of the bill:

Reporting Requirements

The bill amends existing laws to ensure that OTAs, which are agreements used by federal agencies to procure goods or services in a flexible manner, are included in regular reporting on federal spending:

• Addition of OTAs to Reporting: The section of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 is altered to include OTAs in the types of agreements that federal funding data must report.

Data Standards and Publication

The legislation requires the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure that:

• Automatic Transmission of Data: Data related to OTAs must be automatically sent to USAspending.gov within three years after the law is enacted.
• Centralized View of Data: The website must provide a comprehensive view of all data regarding OTAs.

Annual Reports on Unreported Funding

Beginning one year after the bill’s enactment, the Secretary must publish an annual report detailing:

• The total federal spending related to awards that have not been reported on the website.
• The reasons for any unreported spending, which may include national security concerns or specific federal agency actions.

Implementation Plan

If the necessary data is not included within specific timeframes, the Secretary must:

• Publish detailed reports about OTAs from the previous fiscal year within one year of enactment.
• Submit a comprehensive plan to Congress within two years detailing how they will ensure appropriate data submission by relevant agencies.

Other Amendments

This legislation also includes additional amendments related to transparency and accountability, which specify:

• Inspector General Reports: Establishing more strict reporting requirements for federal agencies to ensure compliance.
• Full Disclosure of Federal Funds: Agencies are required to accurately report federal spending, and measures will be taken to verify the accuracy of this information.
• Display Standards: Federal agencies must comply with established standards for how information is displayed online.

GAO Recommendations

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is tasked with reviewing and recommending any updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to enhance the effectiveness of these transparency measures, due within one year of the bill's enactment.

Relevant Companies

None found.