Share-in-savings for energy-saving contracts -- how headquarters contracting shops can help

A specifc share-in-savings contract avoids termination liabilities.

Bill would set up library for contingency contracting

The measure would create an IG position with audit and oversight authorities and a "Center for Contingency Contracting."

5 things you need to know to close deals as fiscal year ends

With just weeks left in fiscal 2011, sales and marketing expert Steve Charles offers advice on how to close deals before Sept. 30.

Agencies don't account for all program costs, experts say

Auditors at GAO found that several agencies with interagency contracts and those that help with acquisitions don’t carefully account for all the costs of their programs.

Youel Page makes shift from Treasury to GSA

Long-time procurement official moves to the Integrated Technology Service at GSA.

Will OFPP's new guidance be used to take jobs from contractors?

The former deputy administrator of procurement policy office says the new term will swung open the gate for more insourcing in the federal government.

Kundra wrong to attack industry

When Vivek Kundra blamed an "IT cartel" for the slow adoption of cloud computing, he showed how little he understands about how government and contractors work, writes Mark Amtower.

OFPP keeps classic defintion of fed-only work

OFPP keeps the inherently governmental function definition 'intimate,' but leaves much discretion about jobs closely associated.

Do mid-tier companies need a helping hand?

A new industry group is concerned that when small companies become mid-sized that they aren't yet ready for stiffer competition.

Buying commercial items is back -- or is it?

Some ideas for saving costs would be good ideas even when budgets aren't tight, writes Steve Kelman. Buying commercial items is one of them.

ManTech names ex-NRO officer senior VP of advanced tech unit

ManTech International Corp. has appointed Deborah Thurman senior vice president and group deputy in the Systems Engineering and Advanced Technology group. She formerly served as senior vice president of contracts responsible for all contract-related functional areas within the company.

How Sept. 11 changed government contracting forever

The market underwent a rapid transformation after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Government contracting hasn't been the same since.

Why is GAO's glass so often half empty?

GAO reports often take a pessimistic tone about what could be seen as good news. Steve Kelman wonders why.

5 keys to improving federal procurement

Fixing the fundamentals is more important than introducing innovation, one reader argues.

Kundra's 'IT cartel:' Fact or fiction?

Outgoing Federal CIO says a cartel of contractors holds back progress in federal IT. Is he right, or on shaky ground? Our readers speak up.

DOD: Wartime contracting reforms underway

Defense officials say they have toughened prosecution of fraudulent contractors and boosted the department’s overall acquisition workforce, including contract managers.

Let's argue procurement. It's healthy.

Nothing is better for the procurement process that a good argument that pushes the best ideas forward.

Rule: Winning contractor must offer jobs to incumbent's employees

The theory is that the government can continue operations more smoothly when a successor contractor hires the previous company's employees.

House Republicans prepare to unveil new 3 percent solution

Lawmakers have continually said the tax that would keep back 3 percent of payments to companies would hurt contractors and make it tough for agencies to comply with the administrative burdens.

General Dynamics wins $3.7B Army procurement contract

General Dynamics C4 Systems Inc. will provide the Army with computer hardware and software procurement assistance under a five-year $3.7 billion contract, according to an Aug. 29 Defense Department announcement.