Bill · S. 905· Senate(119-S-905)
Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act
- Introduced
- 3/6/2025
- Last activity
- 3/6/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act requires the Department of Defense to establish a five-year pilot program. This program aims to sustain the workload at Department of the Army arsenals owned and operated by the United States Government. The Secretary of Defense will give preference in procurement actions to non-public partners who use these government-owned arsenals as partners. Specific preferences are also given to partners using the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence of the Army and those employing at least 25 percent Department of Defense employees. Finally, the Secretary must submit a report to congressional committees regarding the program's activities and operational challenges.
Yes· 3 of 4
Is this likely to create jobs?+5
The bill seeks to sustain workload at government-owned arsenals, which supports continued employment of Department of Defense personnel.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill creates specific procurement preferences for businesses that enter into public-private partnerships with government arsenals.
Would union members be better off under this?+3
By emphasizing the use of Department of Defense employees in partnerships, the bill supports continued employment within the public sector workforce.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
The 20 percent price penalty for non-partners may disproportionately burden smaller firms that lack the resources to form large-scale public-private partnerships.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Maintaining Defense Capabilities: The bill notes that sufficient workload at government-owned Army arsenals ensures cost efficiency, technical competence, and the ability to respond to national defense contingencies or emergencies (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Support for Public-Private Partnerships: The program provides a preference for non-public partners that enter into public-private partnerships with the Secretary of Defense (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Support for Specific Manufacturing Centers: Preference is given to non-public partners that utilize the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence of the Army (Section 2(d)(3)(A)).
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Employment Opportunities within the Department of Defense: The bill encourages partnerships where not less than 25 percent of activities are performed by employees of the Department of Defense (Section 2(d)(3)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Costs for Non-Partner Bidders: Non-public partners that do not use a government-owned Army arsenal as a partner in their bid will face a 20 percent price addition to their offer during the selection process (Section 2(d)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Union Workers+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Small Business Support-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 3/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Joni ErnstRepublican · Iowa
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa