Opinion

We have a budget deal. Now what?

Congress and the White House might have reached an agreement on the budget, but they didn't forge a long-term fiscal solution. So, what's next?

Opinion

18F steps up its acquisition game

PSC President Stan Soloway takes another look at GSA's 18F experiment and finds that maybe it's going to help the acquisition process after all.

Opinion

The e-QIP shutdown: Another big headache

OPM's decision to shutdown the e-QIP tool central to the clearance process has broad implications for government and industry that won't be resolved until OPM and OMB can clarify the full scope of the problem.

Fair Pay rules are 'disaster waiting to happen'

The proposed rules to implement the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces executive order lacks fairness, due process and is of questionable legal standing. In short, they are a disaster waiting to happen.

Better buying power? Well, maybe

There is plenty to like about the Defense Department's Better Buying Power 3.0, but there are some curveballs in the document that bear watching.

Opinion

The time is right for bridging procurement gaps

PSC President Stan Soloway sees signs that government customers are increasingly dissatisfied with the results of LPTA procurements, so now might be the time to use that dissatisfaction as a lever for bridging gaps in the procurement process.

Opinion

Acquisition Reform? Who Says?

There may be a lot of talk about acquisition reform, but the biggest challenge might be changing the underlying procurement culture instead of changing the rules, writes PSC President Stan Soloway.

Opinion

Contractors face greater risk as accountability measures grow

A push for more supply chain accountability and the new workforce executive order will shift more responsibility to contractors, and with responsibility comes greater risk, but PSC President Stan Soloway asks, Is this pendulum swinging too far?

Opinion

It's called human capital for a reason

PSC President Stan Soloway outlines how the government has lost sight of the value of human capital and instead sees people as a commodity.

Opinion

Government sends mixed signals with LPTA, small biz initiatives

The government is sending plenty of mixed signals thanks to LPTA requirements in the new Defense Logistics Agency's STORES contract and small business talk coming out of GSA, writes PCS President Stan Soloway.

Opinion

How 'healthy' is the GovCon industry?

The government needs a healthy contractor base, but there is a lack of understanding of how government policies and behaviors impact that health. PSC President Stan Soloway argues that measuring the condition of the industry demands looking beyond profit and losses.

Opinion

Acquisition reform: Where do you start?

There are several acquisition reform efforts underway, but the best starting point needs to begin with reestablishing the foundation laid in the 1990s that emphasized communication, collaboration and commercial best practices.

Opinion

Convergence in the market: Darwin's delight

As technology is increasingly delivered as a service, the need to adapt grows for both buyers and sellers in the government market.

Opinion

A gift-wrapped budget for Christmas?

The bipartisan budget deal is a welcome gift as we head into the Christmas season, but tough decisions lie ahead for 2014 and beyond. PSC President Stan Soloway explores the pressing issues that are yet to be resolved.

Opinion

Weak processes stymie DOD cost-control efforts

While solving the overarching fiscal impasse is out of DOD's control, there is plenty the department can and should be doing to reduce costs and operate more efficiently; however, the problem is that no one seems to be doing it. PSC President Stan Soloway explains.

Opinion

Post shutdown: Back to business as usual?

There are some tough conversations ahead between contractors and their government customers as they try to bounce back from the 16-day shutdown. Doing things the usual way just won't cut it, but will anything really change?

Opinion

Resistance to talking with contractors runs deep

In an era of deep budget cuts and fiscal uncertainty, the need for communication and collaboration between government and industry has never been greater but the resistance on the part of agency officials runs deep.

Opinion

New DOD cost analysis reg 'just wrong'

The Defense Department has moved forward with a cost-analysis regulation that's inaccurate and based on false assumptions. PSC President Stan Soloway explains the damage that potentially will be done.

Opinion

Snowden case launches open season on contractors

Washington turns the Edward Snowden scandal into another opportunity to attack contractors instead of entering a serious debate about national security policy.

A cautionary word about strategic sourcing

As the government rushes forward with strategic sourcing, PSC President Stan Soloway advices caution because how and where strategic sourcing gets applied can be the difference between a win and lose for both sides.