Infotech and the Law: DOD should update FOIA policy for releasing contractor info

Last summer, the federal court of appeals ruled that vendor line item prices and a contractor's option-year pricing were confidential information and that they could be withheld under the Freedom of Information Act, because their release was likely to cause substantial harm to a contractor's competitive position.

E-Gov's Tools of the Trade: Acquisition made easy

Seventeen new tools could be the key to simplifying the cumbersome, complicated federal procurement process.

Army outsources HR services

Three contractors have won deals worth a total of $586 million to provide the Army with human resources, personnel and support functions.

Army outsources HR services

Three contractors have won deals worth a total of $586 million to provide the Army with human resources, personnel and support functions.

Health care IT gets $139 million

The Health and Human Services Department this month announced $139 million in grants and contracts to promote the use of health IT and take the department a step closer to electronic health records for all Americans.

Outsourcing runs aground in Florida

Two months after Simone Marstiller took over as Florida's chief information officer, a report landed on her desk from the state auditor general blasting the way her predecessor had awarded three statewide outsourcing contracts, known collectively as the MyFlorida Alliance.

Virginia nears key review of tech service proposals

The state of Virginia expects to begin a detailed review next month of proposals received for a public-private partnership to outsource its technology infrastructure, the state's chief information officer said this week.

OMB issues guidance for A-76 reports

By Nov. 12, agencies must send annual reports on their competitive sourcing efforts to the Office of Management and Budget. OMB will then report the results to Congress.

Feds fear offshore outsourcing, while contractors fear a backlash

Government employees and contractors are worried about offshore outsourcing, but for different reasons.

Undecided on e-voting

The market potential promised in the Help America Vote Act of 2002 has yet to materialize for government systems integrators.

Two views on competitive sourcing

A hot issue ? public-private competitions for federal work ? for federal contractors and for politicians on both sides of the aisle isn't going to get less controversial. But its direction could change dramatically.

Split ticket on IT issues

Neither presidential candidate has staked out distinct, compelling positions on the technology issues that matter most to industry, said analysts monitoring the race.

The Money Trail: Contractors lean to the right

Federal IT contractors are overwhelmingly supporting President Bush and other Republican candidates with their campaign contributions. That's the most obvious conclusion from our exclusive pre-election report, "The Money Trail." Analyzing data from the Center for Responsive Politics, Washington Technology tracks where the Top 100 federal IT contractors are putting their political capital.

CRM finds a seat in government

Customer relationship management is crossing into government as agencies facing e-government mandates have come to appreciate the benefits of streamlined, cheaper, more effective contact with constituents.

OMB mulls new shared-savings programs

The Office of Management and Budget is evaluating proposals that would have federal agencies share services for financial management and human resources, a move that could create significant integration and outsourcing opportunities for contractors.

Amendments would slow outsourcing

Three new amendments to federal spending bills will, if passed, choke the Bush administration's effort to compete government jobs within the private sector.

No performance without partnership

The U.S. military has a reputation for opposing change and espousing a "my way or the highway" attitude. But when it comes to using performance-based contracting, the U.S. Strategic Command, known as Stratcom, is a harbinger of change.

ITES lessons learned

As the Army readies the next version of its Information Technology Enterprise Solutions program, service leaders are taking steps to ensure greater use of performance-based contracting on ITES 2 projects. According to ITES 2 program overseer <b>Kevin Carroll</b>, ITES2 will have a larger ceiling than before and will focus on performance contracting.

A way to win

When the Defense Logistics Agency awarded Accenture Ltd. a performance-based contract two years ago to modernize its supply chain management system, agency officials soon realized the "performance-based" aspect of the contract required as much work from them as it did from the contractor.

DOD rules curb contract consolidations, add subcontracting incentive

Defense Department procurement rules that went into effect today limit the consolidation of DOD requirements into single contracts and allow incentive payments to companies that use Native American, Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian small businesses as subcontractors on DOD contracts.