Improving federal IT acquisitions

Blogger Steve Kelman contends vendors should make experts available to provide comments or suggestions on technical or contracting strategy issues during the contract bidding process.

HUBZone preference debate may end

The Obama administration has faced off against GAO and the Federal Claims Court over the HUBZone preference issue since 2009.

Republicans push for SBA position on contractor pay policy

Senate Republicans fight a policy that would give preference in awarding contracts to businesses that offer better-than-average pay and benefits.

Inherently governmental remains inherently confusing

Ongoing debates about what government work is inherently government reminds FCW cartoonist and blogger John Klossner of a game he played (but not very well) as kid.

Fiscal year-end spending: Does 'use it or lose it' still rule?

Since 2001, the Office of Management has championed a number of ideas or programs intended to bring order to federal IT spending. But has it really made a difference?

How good is your emissions reporting? GSA wants to know.

GSA finds it feasible for companies to report their emissions data in a voluntary system and is moving ahead with the idea.

NIH opens bidding for $40B IT services contract

The National Institutes of Health has issued a solicitation for the long-awaited Chief Information Officer-Solutions and Partners 3 governmentwide IT contract.

GSA may recompete HSPD-12 contract

Violations of procurement policies revealed in an IG report could lead to a new competition for a services contract at GSA.

Senators press OMB nominee on contracting reforms

Senators questioned Obama's nominee for OMB director during his confirmation hearing, getting insights on how he would run the agency.

Serco takes on more hazmat duties for Navy

Under an $88 million contract, Serco extends its hazmat management services for the Navy at a Norfolk, Va., facility.

Small businesses could suffer if fed contracting goes in-house

If agencies bring contracting work in-house, small companies believe they will bear the brunt of it, and officials want agencies to remember that.

New DOD acquisition strategy sparks debate

DOD's leaders want to revamp the Pentagon's acquisition processes, but analyst say much of the guidance isn't new but actually familiar regulations that have failed to be properly implemented in the past.

Game changer: DOD rewrites its book on acquisition strategy

Defense Secretary Robert Gates releases a 23-point memorandum for reforming defense acquisition processes, with an increased focus on efficiency and productivity.

Proposal writers should do the work too

Blogger Steve Kelman takes a dim view of the practice of having professional proposal writers who are not involved in carrying out the work they bid.

Gates to outline new acquisition guidelines

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to lay out a guide for moving ahead with his acquisition reforms and budget cuts.

Agencies must toughen rules to protect sensitive information, GAO says

Federal officials need to address nondisclosure agreements and the process for notifying officials when information is improperly disclosed or misused.

Pentagon IG responding to critical Grassley report

The Defense Department's inspector general is defending his office's performance in the wake of a Senate investigation charging that contract audits are ineffective

GSA plans for 'sustainability acquisitions'

The premier procurement agency’s plan is to use its buying power to change the federal marketplace.

Serco assists Navy with logistics support

Serco Inc. will provide logistics support to the Naval Operational Logistics Support Center under a five-year contract that could be worth as much as $44 million if all option years are exercised.

Set-aside program for women on the way, SBA says

Small Business Administration officials have proposed amending the agency's rules, and federal regulators are considering changes to governmentwide rules.