Ramp’s Federal Fast-Track Deserves Scrutiny

I am writing to express concern over recent reports indicating that the General Services Administration (GSA) may be favoring Ramp, a fintech company backed by Peter Thiel and other political allies of the Trump administration, for a significant role in the $700 billion SmartPay program. According to a ProPublica investigation, Ramp, despite lacking prior federal contracting experience, has received unusual attention from GSA officials. Notably, the agency issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a $25 million pilot program with a response window of less than seven business days, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the procurement process. Experts have highlighted that this approach deviates from standard contracting safeguards designed to prevent favoritism and ensure taxpayer funds are used responsibly. The potential for conflicts of interest and the undermining of competitive bidding processes warrant immediate congressional oversight. I urge you to initiate a thorough investigation into the GSA’s procurement practices concerning the SmartPay program and Ramp’s involvement. Ensuring transparency and accountability in federal contracting is essential to maintain public trust and uphold the integrity of our government’s operations.