Will senators pay attention to OFPP nominee?

Joe Jordan is poised to step into Dan Gordon's role as leader of the OFPP, but it could be too close to election time for the Senate to act.

House members introduce flood of small-business legislation

Insourcing, agency advocates, budget cuts, raised contracting goals: The legislation contines to pour out of the House. But will it go anywhere?

Northrop Grumman feels federal penny-pinching

Northrop Grumman winds up with declines in its IT division for the fourth quarter of 2011 and the year overall as compared to 2010.

Are you ready for life in the low-cost era?

Expect bids with the lowest prices but technically acceptable solutions to capture the bulk of contract awards in 2012.

Bill pressures feds to meet small-biz goals or else

House bill would cut budgets and senior leader perks if small-business goals aren't met.

USDA backs off controversial labor rule targeting contractors

Officials opted to withdraw the rule after receiving industry complains that it's too much of a burden.

Industry objects to new labor rule, cites extra burden on contractors

Six industry groups are concerned that a new USDA rule on labor laws is redundant and would put an extra burden on contractors and contracting officers.

Lockheed braces for declining IT sales in 2012

The company's IT business was hit by budget pressures that kept agencies from spending as much on IT in 2011.

Army contracting scandal nets guilty plea

Former Army Corps of Engineers employee pleads guilty, but trials are pending against contractors in bribery scheme.

Successful IT projects: Good news travels slowly

Steve Kelman finds a GAO report documenting successful IT acquisitions that apparently did not get much attention.

Congress turns heat up on small-biz goals

Under a new bill, a department that misses a small-business contracting goal could lose money from the next year's budget.

Obama nominates chiefs for policy, readiness, acquisition

The president nominates three senior Defense Department officials to fill key management positions.

CCSi names former TASC exec its homeland security director

Suzanne Petrie Liscouski has had years of experience in the Defense Department, White House and Homeland Security Department.

$24B NETCENTS 2 awards expected in 2012

The long-delayed NETCENTS-2 contract vehicle is set to be awarded this year, says the Air Force's acquisition chief.

Should contractors fear sequestration?

You bet. As agencies scramble to cut costs under sequestration, contractors should expect to be squeezed too.

Don't gloat over the death of the 3-percent withholding tax

The 3-percent withholding tax may be gone, but something just as 'dysfunctional' may be coming soon.

Public release of contractor data delayed

The delay gives the government time to make system changes so contractors can challenge what's in the system.

Agencies didn't weigh risks when hiring support contractors: GAO

Few considered risks when awarding contracts that closely supported inherently governmental functions.

GSA demands IT companies provide security plans

GSA officials want security plans to describe how companies will properly secure information.

PSC says let conflict rule play out before expansion

Officials offered up the question of whether regulations should stretech beyond the employees working closely to sensitive acquisition jobs.