Acquisition
Officials change tone on insourcing
Officials say they never intended for massive insourcing, and the administration has not let it happen.
Acquisition
New rules change procurement process
New procurement rules put limitations on cost-reimbursement, multiple-award and 8(a) contracts.
Acquisition
Too much training still leaves interns inexperienced
Managers are dealing with highly certified employees who still need supervision and intervention from more experienced contracting officers, officials say.
Acquisition
Procurement oversight: A case of friendly fire?
A well-meaning lawmaker might be reading too much into government-industry interactions, writes blogger John Klossner.
Acquisition
Government should adopt instant feedback features
Columnist Steve Kelman suggests that the government should implement technology to allow quick and easy feedback.
Acquisition
SBA changes anti-suspension, debarment culture, IG says
Some SBA officials believe enforcement foils their agency's mission.
Acquisition
OFPP's Gordon shy about opening meeting results
Experts want more information from the meetings assessing agencies' oversight to protect the government from abusive contractors.
Acquisition
GSA names new acquisition chief
New GSA official, working in an earlier position, helped draft the president's memo on reducing the government's footprint on the environment.
Acquisition
How outsourcing keeps America on top
Contractors are critical to our nation's history of successfully competing through innovation, writes SRA International President Stanton Sloane.
Acquisition
How close is too close for contracting officers and contractors?
FCW readers are puzzled by Sen. Claire McCaskill's recent comments about the dangers of contracting officers and vendors becoming pals.
Acquisition
Portman gets contracting subcommittee 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.
Acquisition
GSA official tackles slow policy review process
Acquisition officials are looking closely at three areas of the procurement process that must be fixed to make a faster, smooth-running system.
Acquisition
Obama wants money to help agency contracting shops
The acquisition workforce is a key part of the Obama administration's efforts to put control back into the hands of federal employees.
Acquisition
Budget constraints could help IT
While there is more cost-cutting ahead for federal budgets and contracting, federal IT services are likely to be an oasis, says a new report.
Acquisition
Could mission specialization solve DOD's woes?
In an era of tight budgets and ongoing conflict, specialization is an intriguing idea, but experts question whether it would save money.
Acquisition
OFPP mythbusts government-industry communications
Yes, contractors and agencies are allowed to talk. Steve Kelman has some thoughts.
Acquisition
Talks with vendors increase agencies' independence, 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.
Acquisition
Army secretary directs strategic insourcing
Proposals now must be fully documented and justified before they get senior officials' approval.
Acquisition
Contracting officers get too friendly with contractors, senator says
Contracting officers lose objectivity because they are too friendly with companies, McCaskill says.
Acquisition