Law lets men, mules continue forward without funds

If money for supplies runs out, an old law can save the day.

Top CBP procurement execs show lighter side at Industry Day

Many of the top IT and procurement officials at Customs and Border Protection were on hand to share information and a few candid remarks at Tuesday's Industry Day.

Contractors face more pain from government shutdown

A government shutdown today will hurt contractors more than it did in 1995. Who will feel the deepest cuts?

Customs increases collaboration with $1B in IT spending at stake

Customs and Border Protection's IT office is using more requests for information and other methods to get ideas from vendors in advance of a procurement, officials said.

Jenkins to be FAI director

Federal Acquisition Institute's acting director gets full-time position.

Is competitive sourcing ready for a comeback?

While competitive sourcing has been a no-show for several years, a new provision signals a change in the future toward the Bush administration's policy.

Federal contract spending slowdown just beginning, OMB official says

The pressure to slow down federal contract spending will continue as the government tries to rebuild its acquisition workforce, says OMB's Dan Gordon. What are his three top priorities?

What's DOD's worst acquisition policy? Ashton Carter wants to know

Defense Department wants industry input on policies that drive up costs and bring little value. What will you tell them?

The golden opportunity of deep budget cuts

The IT infrastructure cuts at some agencies create the chance to rethink the contractor-customer relationship, writes Editor Nick Wakeman.

Portman gets Senate contract oversight spot

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman replaces Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown as ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's Contracting Oversight Subcommittee.

GSA policy chief takes on acquisition regulations

Acquisition officials are looking closely at three areas of the procurement process that must be fixed to create a faster, smoother system.

Tight budget revives contracting professional debate

Do contracting officials serve the public or their agency programs? Steve Kelman considers the arguments.

Obama pushes for commodity IT purchasing

Obama wants to reform IT management by leveraging the sheer size of the government as a buyer to get better prices for common IT.

2012 budget feeds tougher competition

The Obama administration's fiscal 2012 budget proposal trims $1.1 trillion over 10 years, creating a tougher competitive environment for contractors, but many of the details are still lacking.

Watchdog group faults Obama decision to withdraw transparency proposal

The Obama administration withdrew a proposal to require that contracts, as well as task and delivery orders, be posted online.

SBA to Alaska Native Corporations: Show us the money

Alaska Native Corporations soon will have to report to the Small Business Administration on how they have used their special set-aside government contract funds to help their communities back home.

More collaboration means more competition, OMB official says

By opening discussions with vendors, officials can learn what other companies can offer them, instead of sticking with the current vendor, an official says.

What if they gave a hearing and nobody came?

Not everyone can stay awake through a dry hearing about contract auditing, those who try deserve a high-five or maybe a gift of less than $25.

OFPP mythbusts government-industry communications

Yes, contractors and agencies are allowed to talk. Steve Kelman has some thoughts.

Army halts insourcing initiatives

Proposals now must be fully documented and justified before they get senior officials' approval.