Dear Aryt,
The federal administration is proposing changes to conditions for every federal contract. Under the guise of streamlining paperwork and countering discrimination, it would, in fact, disqualify any contract that could be seen to be in favor of equity, diversity and/or inclusion.
In other words instead of vetting of proposals based on merit, the General Services Administration (“GSA”)'s recent proposal fundamentally seeks to politicize all contract awards.
Why is this important?
The General Services Administration is the agency in charge of operations for the federal government. It has a budget of billions of dollars and is the administrator for all government contracts, including procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, real estate and service transactions. Thus any change in the requirements for granting awards will impact every single American and our respective institutions—including higher education.
According to the amendment, the GSA’s funding practices should align with Executive Order 14173, which punishes any entity applying for or receiving federal funds if they “..actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) or “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA).”
Colleges and universities receive billons of government dollars for research grants and other activities related to the functioning of American society such as training for the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Defense. In weaponizing the GSA for ideological ends, the Trump administration is attempting to place another nail in the coffin of academic freedom and institutional autonomy not only for Harvard, but for all of higher education.
We urge you to submit your objection to the GSA's arbitrary requirements via public comment by March 30th by clicking here.
Below is some suggested language you can use to frame your own comments to the GSA. And remember, the more specific and personal your comments, the more impact it will have.
Sample Comment for Personalization and Submission to the GSA
Re: OMB Control No. 3090-0290, System for Award Management Registration Requirements for Financial Assistance Recipients (Docket No. 2026-0001; Sequence No. 2)
Dear Administrator Forst,
As a member of the public, I urge you to rescind the proposed rule change, “OMB Control No. 3090-0290, System for Award Management Registration Requirements for Financial Assistance Recipients (Docket No. 2026-0001; Sequence No. 2),” as it will trample on the freedom of inquiry, institutional autonomy and civil rights of those in higher education.
According to the amendment, the GSA’s funding practices should align with Executive Order 14173, which punishes any entity applying for or receiving federal funds if they “..actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) or “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA).”
Using federal funding as a cudgel for political ends is a breach of freedom of expression, freedom of inquiry and civil liberties of all Americans, especially those in higher education.
My alma mater, Harvard University, has already seen $100 million of federal contracts cut by the GSA due to so-called “race discrimination,” which is clearly an illegal attempt to control Harvard’s institutional autonomy. The GSA’s current proposal would subject all universities to the same ideological control that the Trump administration is attempting to impose on Harvard, thus crushing free speech and expression at every level of education. Furthermore, the vague language in the proposal lends itself to arbitrary and capricious enforcement that will strangle the vibrancy of research, innovation and quality of life for all Americans.
Once again, I ask you to cancel the proposed policy change which will do irreparable harm not only to American higher education, but also to the economic and social well-being of our country.
Sincerely,
[your name]
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