Little business means big trouble
A House committee has promised ongoing scrutiny of federal small-business programs after receiving evidence that large companies frequently are awarded contracts intended for small firms.
Boeing, SAIC win contract for Future Combat Systems
A team led by Boeing Co., Chicago, and Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, has won a $14.9 billion contract to develop and demonstrate prototypes of assault vehicles, sensors and related networking equipment for the Army's Future Combat Systems program.
Contract turmoil entangles Florida
Florida technology officials are scrambling to keep on track a major outsourcing project facing complaints from losing bidders and questions from lawmakers concerned whether the state is getting its money's worth.
Study: Governments like outsourcing
Governments worldwide are increasingly bullish about outsourcing, according to a new study.
Who gets welfare?
A major new business opportunity will open up for systems integrators this year if federal officials and state lawmakers decide to let private companies process applications for welfare eligibility.
DoD needs to share lessons
The Defense Department generally is doing a good job of using commercial best practices for implementing outsourcing programs, but it needs a framework for sharing lessons learned, according to a General Accounting Office report.
Field narrows for ITES
The much-anticipated request for proposals for the Army's $800 million Information Technology Enterprise Solutions contract was released early this month after several weeks of delay.
Ridge promises IT opportunities
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge asked high-tech companies to keep making suggestions about technology solutions for securing the nation's borders and ports.
AMD attacks Intel domain
Mark Seager, a contracting officer at the Energy Department's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will change the wording in the next solicitation he issues for servers. In previous purchases, Seager specified the particular make of processors to be used in the servers, often naming market leader Intel Corp., Santa Clara, Calif. But an eager challenger, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., has produced a microprocessor that could serve just as well, if not better, for the needed servers.
Energy will seek bids to manage Los Alamos
The Energy Department will seek competitive bids to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory when the University of California's contract runs out in September 2005.
Army readies Future Combat System for next phase
The Army will submit the latest version of its Future Combat Systems program to the Defense Acquisition Board for formal approval to move from the planning phase into development and demonstration. And a report says the operating system for computers in the program will be Linux.
ITAA: GSA schedule fee changes won't cover contractor costs
A proposed change to the fee agencies pay to use the General Services Administration's multiple-award schedules would result in substantial costs and administrative burdens on contractors and agencies, an IT trade association says.
Study: Fed execs want procurements based on best value
Senior federal procurement executives strongly support robust, fair competition for federal work, the competitive sourcing process and making purchasing decisions based on best value rather than lowest cost, according to a study released today.
Online extra: Climbing the performance-based stairway
In 2001, a task force comprised of volunteers from several federal departments created a roadmap to help agencies implement performance-based contracting. Acquisition Solutions Inc., a consulting company based in Oakton, Va., that specializes in advising on procurement policy and strategy, assisted in the process.
A-76 for budget program
The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, wants a contractor to support an A-76 study involving budget and financial program support services. The work requires using multiple government databases and software programs to provide logistical and financial controls. Details can be found at FedBizOpps.gov, solicitation no. N6133103R0035. Responses are due June 12.
Coalition attacks fed market
Dominic DeAngelo joined to give his company, Sonic Telecom Ltd., an entrée into the federal IT marketplace. Walter Hillabrant joined so his company, Support Services International Inc., would have more opportunities to win federal work.
Primes feel small business push
Large federal systems integrators are starting to see increased requirements for small-business subcontracting and agency oversight of those plans.
Show me results
Between now and 2007, the federal government will spend a whole lot of money -- $56 billion -- on outsourcing its information technology services.During this period, IT outsourcing is expected to grow 18 percent annually, from $8 billion in fiscal 2002 to $14.8 billion in 2007, according to market research firm Input Inc. of Chantilly, Va.Included in that sum are some juicy contracts.
New A-76 due by summer
A final version of a new Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 will likely be published before summer, said Angela Styles, administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
Multiple-award contracts grow strong as other vehicles fall
Government agencies are making less use of contracts awarded through open competition and more use of General Services Administration schedules, according to a new market-research study.
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