OFPP proposes tests for deciding when to outsource work

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

Senators again try for small business parity

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

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.

GSA leader on where social media meets procurement

The General Services Administration can tap the wisdom of the crowds, but it still lacks needed policies to do it well, administrator Martha Johnson says.

GSA solicits wisdom of the crowd for acquisition improvements

General Services Administration officials are testing collaboration and using social media to improve the federal acquisition process.

Younger workforce can motivate agency leaders to embrace new technologies

The latest in technology is creeping into federal agencies, and a younger workforce will be holding the door open for it.

Agencies walk a tightrope between cost savings and innovation

Civilian agencies and military services take different paths to making technology investment decisions.

Federal Acquisition Service gets new acting commissioner

Steve Kempf will become acting commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service after current commissioner Jim Williams retires April 3.

GSA's Williams disputes IG charge of missed contract discounts

Williams said GSA has no evidence of a widespread problem of vendors submitting incorrect invoices.

Fog of war no reason to skirt contracting rules, GAO says

GAO recognized the Army’s need to swiftly award a task order, but the service can't stretch the scope of a contract to get it done.

OMB falls short on USASpending.gov data, GAO says

OMB has not included subcontracting award data on USAspending.gov and has no specific plan for collecting such data.

ICF business grows as agencies seek advice

ICF’s core revenue in its fourth quarter of 2009 increases 57 percent over the fourth quarter of 2008.

Open season: The hunt is on for contracting conflicts

These days, government oversight officials are searching for any possible conflicts, and companies are looking, too, just in case.

Procurement panel slams price reduction clause for services

The Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel offers 20 recommendations on how to improve GSA Schedules program.

Federal court gives HUBZone program priority

The Small Business Act makes it mandatory, not optional, to give HUBZone companies a preference over other small businesses, a judge rules.

GSA loses senior official to retirement

A top GSA official plans the next phase of his professional life.

Outsourcing can be cheaper for agencies, GAO analysis finds

Private security companies were often cheaper than the government, ranging from $3 million less on one task order to more than $785 million for a one-year contract.

GSA's Drabkin heads to Northrop Grumman

David Drabkin will be Northrop Grumman's director for acquisition policy.

SBA proposed rule directs set-aside contracts to women-owned firms

A proposed rule is designed to help agencies award 5 percent of federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses.

SBA tries again to help women-owned businesses get contracts

The Small Business Administration today proposed a procurement set-aside rule that would give women business-owners more opportunities in federal contracting.