Regime change cuts both ways
The status of the federal civil service and acquisition workforce is likely to be high on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's agenda this year.
Stan Soloway | Forging progress on key initiatives
The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction issued a massive report in December, which concluded that the U.S. engagement in Iraq was marked, and to an extent doomed, from the beginning by an under-resourced and undermanned infrastructure.
Stan Soloway | Reforms must follow fact, not fiction
The Obama administration will need to get the facts straight before making acquisition reforms.
Acquisition issues await next president
Although the outcome of the presidential elections is not yet known, some realities ? and related imperatives ? are becoming clear.
Service awards give partnerships their due
The winners of the Service to America Medals awards program teach lessons on the importance of government-industry partnerships.
The straight story on contractors in Iraq
The Congressional Budget Office released a report early last month on the use of contractors in Iraq. Predictably, the report generated eye-catching headlines but little in-depth analysis. Yet, as always, that analysis is where the real story lies.
U.K. approach to outsourcing merits study
Few countries have moved as aggressively ? and as successfully ? as the United Kingdom in transforming the provision of public services. The private delivery of federaland local public services in the United Kingdom exceeds $150 billion, up from $60 billion in 1995.
Fine line between transparency and chaos
Transparency is essential to building credibility when dealing with public funds and the public trust, and numerous proposals now before Congress seek to enhance transparency in government contracting. Their essentialgoal is laudable even though some of these proposals are driven bya misperception that fraud is rampant in federal contracting ? aperception even the special inspector general for Iraq reconstructionhas repeatedly challenged.
Congress' mixed messages on competition
Some in Congress believe the proportion of federal contracts that are competitivelyawarded has dropped precipitously even though competition levels are at about the same proportion today as they were 10 years ago.
Contracting as an economic engine
Just as in every campaign that has preceded it, the issue ofjobs has been at center stage throughout the 2008 presidentialcampaign. Candidates talk about creating jobs, buildingsustainable domestic industries and so forth. Ironically, onetopic that never comes up in those discussions is one of thenation's most significant sources of high-quality, well-compensatedemployment: government contracting.
Time to nail down contractor roles
The question of which functions can or should be performed by federal contractors has been the focus of increasing debate, including two congressional hearings held in early March. The issues involved are complex but timely.
Departures leave leadership vacuum
One of the most disturbing trends in Washington has been the contentious, overly partisan environment in which too many congressional hearings seem more focused onassessing blame than finding solutions.
Beware of an election-year feeding frenzy
Let's be clear. Earmarking raises some important and legitimate questions. Howmuch transparency is there? How much should there be?
Pulling no punches on Army acquisition
The October report from the Special Commission on Army Acquisition and Program Management in Expeditionary Operations contains a set of recommendations that will require collaboration from the Army, DOD and Congress.
Profiteering legislation lacks real purpose
Buylines | Commentary: War profiteering legislation is not needed.
Stan Soloway | Old personnel policies harm government
The Intelligence Science Board published a report in late 2006 warning that the intelligence community is losing rather than gaining connectivity to the technologycommunity.
Public assistance modernization stalls
Many states are looking to modernize public assistance programs. But, the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007, passed by the House July 27, would prohibit states from doing that with private sector support.
A glass half empty to some, half full to others
Two hearings on the acquisition process held during the third week of July told two different stories. Through them the troubling dichotomy of the debate over federal acquisition was eminently clear.
New report on contractor workforce rife with flaws
The Progressive Policy Institute's recommendation to slash 750,000 contractor jobs from the government is short-sighted and fatally flawed.
Partnership is a concept worth fighting for
Government/contractor partnerships are under an unfounded assault
Almost There!
Help us tailor content specifically for you: