Industry clamors for OFPP chief who listens

Openness and collaboration would be welcome characteristics of the next OFPP administrator as he or she leads reform efforts.

DOD bill could revamp acquisition process

A defense task force has recommended the new acquisition process must be agile and capable of delivering IT systems in no more than 18 months.

Agencies miss deadline to file insourcing guidance

Officials said they are awaiting more guidelines from OMB

Small-business contractors get bump from stimulus funds

As of Oct. 2, the government overall has awarded 26 percent of the economic stimulus law's funds to contracts for small businesses, an estimated $4 billion.

White House announces Gordon nomination for OFPP job

Gordon has a reputation for candor and evenhandedness, according to procurement observers and his public record.

What kind of OFPP leader would Gordon be? Look at his track record

Judging by his history, GAO's Daniel Gordon will bring to the OFPP post a wealth of legal and procurement experience, as well as a reputation for candor and evenhandedness.

Obama's likely pick for OFPP head emerges

The White House has settled on the acting general counsel at the Government Accountability Office to run the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

Some companies can keep small-biz contracts under House proposal

Under a House bill, small businesses that have outgrown that status because of a government contract could have some cushioning when a contract is again competed.

Report: EPA's total labor-hour giveaway

On nearly half of audited task orders, the Environmental Protection Agency's labor-hour estimate and the contractor’s proposed cost were the same, a new report says.

Microsoft can keep selling Word, judge rules

The federal appeals panel held that Microsoft can continue to sell Word during its appeal of a patent-infringement ruling.

5 proposed rules that could rock the acquisition community

The acquisition landscape has been changing in the past several years, and now lawmakers and regulators are working on writing stricter rules and setting new precedents.

New past performance database proposed

The system would contain specific information on the integrity and performance of contractors and federal grantees.

Hey, small businesses: Uncle Sam wants you!

In a governmentwide plan for more outreach to small firms, Commerce Department and Small Business Administration officials plan to take part in more than 200 industry events by mid-October.

Agencies plan small-business outreach

Commerce Department and Small Business Administration officials plan more than 200 events before mid-October.

Former GAO official will lead GSA's outreach efforts

McClure said he wants to foster "a more citizen-centered government that is transparent, participatory, and collaborative."

NIH acquisition chief puts focus on customer service

The center cut its assisted acquisition services and aimed those resources at customer service, manager says.

GSA plans more small businesses contracts

GSA expects the mentoring program to increase the number of small businesses getting its contracts and subcontracts.

Regulators urged to lighten up on award-fee rules

Agencies urged regulators to avoid more burdensome rules and reporting requirements to see whether contractor award fees work.

Fred Schobert joins Topside Consulting

Schobert was director of the Office of Infrastructure Optimization in a section of the Federal Acquisition Service.

Fed CIO helps search for new procurement policy leader

Vivek Kundra said the OFPP administrator should understand the overall challenges in government procurement and be able to speed up the acquisition of rapidly changing technologies.