Contractors should brace for a government shutdown

As concerns grow that a government shutdown is inevitable, contractors need to prepare for the worst. Are you ready?

Law lets men, mules continue forward without funds

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

IT gets a bump up in 2012 proposal

The Obama administration is taking on several initiatives to keep IT projects in line with its goals as it introduces its fiscal 2012 budget proposal.

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.

Northrop Grumman has mixed fourth quarter

Sales in the company's information systems sector decreased while operating income rose compared to 2009.

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.

Retired Army Reserve general joins IT firm

Major General Diamond brings training and experience in total quality management and process improvement to Asynchrony Solutions.

Army halts insourcing initiatives

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

Professional, service contracts will come up short in 2012 budget

The 2012 budget is expected to be lean, and details of some of the proposed cuts are beginning to emerge.

Contracting officers get too friendly with contractors, senator says

Contracting officers lose objectivity because they are too friendly with companies, McCaskill says.

Alaska Native Corporations' contracting status under fire again

Four ANCs have been among the top 100 recipients of contract awards, and in 2009 six companies made Washington Technology's Top 100 List of IT contractors.