DOD gets authority to limit contract competition

Defense Department officials today adopted a rule that grants DOD authority to limit competition for contracts when buying to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Is Obama justified in turning up heat on contractors?

Editor Nick Wakeman discusses President Barack Obama’s latest push to make sure contractors disclose Recovery Act work.

Cultural changes at DOD a major factor in defense acquisition reform

Industry officials see the need for change in DOD ideas of weapons systems, contracting practices.

Obama warns contractors: Report ARRA money or else

The president says contractors failing to report information must be held accountable by all agencies to the fullest extent of the law.

4 strategies for a business development makeover

Government service providers are making adjustments to compete in a shifting market, says Bill Scheessele, chairman and CEO of MBDi.

Acquisition support still a good market for contractor

There's no resolution in sight for the shrinking talent pool of federal employees who have the expertise and knowledge to handle the ever-increasing number of government procurements.

How not to build an acquisition workforce

Recent actions undermine efforts to maintain a strong cadre of acquisition employees, says Stan Soloway, president and CEO of the Professional Services Council.

Ask the right questions to understand your customer's objectives

Arm your capture team with well-crafted questions so it can gain a clear understanding of customer requirements and objectives, says Bob Lohfeld, CEO of Lohfeld Consulting Group.

NIH contract in GSA's crosshairs brings in $2.1 billion a year

If the General Services Administration is successful in convincing the Office of Federal Procurement Policy that NIH should lose its governmentwide contract authority, the agency could pick up $1 billion in new business.

Advocacy group sues government over contract data

A small-business group is concerned the loss of historical contracting data could prevent future investigations.

GSA could be trying to kill rival agency contract

GSA urged procurement officials to deny the NIH its GWAC authority, raising an old question.

GSA small-business advocate retires

Mary Parks has been a strong leader in directing GSA to support small businesses in new avenues.

Government policies fire up acquisition activity this year

Tax, budget and conflict of interest policies will drive more merger and acquisition activity throughout 2010 as the impact of these policies is felt in the government services market.

Administration hopes for ripple effect from outsourcing policy

The administration wants a workforce that can carry out the government's operations and reduce the reliance on contractors.

Is GSA gunning for other GWACs?

Blogger Steve Kelman argues that the federal government is better off having GSA compete with other agencies for acquisition business.

OFPP proposes tests for deciding when to outsource work

OFPP publishes proposed policy to help agencies decide when work should be outsourced to contractors.

Is the acquisition workforce too small -- or too big?

In response to a recent article, a reader suggested that the Obama administration is trying to solve the wrong problem in government acquisition.

Senators again try for small business parity

Proposal would strip HUBzone businesses of their special standing among small businesses.

GSA tries wiki approach to develop RFPs

The General Services Administration wants public commment on requests for proposals, but blogger Steve Kelman wonders whether the public take the agency up on it.

What's next for GSA?

Martha Johnson shares her thoughts on green IT, tapping the collective intelligence, collaboration among agencies and industry, and the state of telework.