Acquisition
Acquisition reforms rush forward while top OFPP seat remains empty
The OFPP administrator, in theory, is an important person when reforming the procurement system. Nevertheless, Obama's making changes without one.
Acquisition
Senate passes bill with HUBZone change
The legislation would remove the “shall” in the law that some say gives small businesses in economically depressed areas first preference in contract set-asides.
Acquisition
Congress, administration move into protected territory
The government is having a debate about certain small businesses that live by special rules — from ANCs to companies in historically underutilized business zones.
Acquisition
Vet-owned firms grow but still short of goals
Spending with service-disabled, veteran-owned contractors has grown for five years, but is still short of mandated goal.
Acquisition
Small bites, greater expertise produce speedier acquisitions
Procurement experts say there are numerous steps DOD officials could take to increase the odds that acquisitions will deliver the expected results in a timely and cost-effective fashion.
Acquisition
Vets could get edge on no-bid contracts at VA
A new bill would require the Veterans Affairs Department to give priority to veteran-owned small businesses when outsourcing work with no competition.
Acquisition
House passes spending bill with outsourcing provisions
Agencies would have to create an annual inventory of services they’ve outsourced to the private sector and review whether to return the work to government employees.
Acquisition
Administration, GAO clash in turf war
The Government Accountability Office has denied the Small Business Administration’s request to reconsider recent bid protest decisions that give priority to HUBZone businesses. This might lead to a turf fight.
Acquisition
Senators probe Alaska set-aside program
A Senate subcommittee says agencies are using ANCs to award contracts quickly and avoid competition.
Acquisition
Report: Alaska Native contracting program delivers little benefit to communities
Four Alaska Native Corporations were among the top 100 recipients of contract awards in 2008 and six companies made Washington Technology’s list of the top 100 prime contractors in 2009.
Acquisition
Audit agency reaffirms earlier ruling against HUBZone preference
SBA and OMB contended GAO overreached its authority in ruling that HUBZone businesses should get priority over 8(a) small businesses and service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.
Acquisition
Coalition stumps for Alaska Native set-asides as hearing looms
Native8(a)works launched its effort to tell Congress about what SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program does for the United States’ indigenous people.
Acquisition
SAIC faces challenge in False Claims Act defense
SAIC could be facing long odds in its defense against a False Claims Act lawsuit, says a watchdog group.
Acquisition
SAIC faces challenge in False Claims defense
SAIC claims the lawsuit is false, but one expert says that the company is playing a game of chicken with the Justice Department.
Acquisition
Spending panel wants inventory of service contracts
The House Appropriations Committee wants an inventory of services contracts and for agencies to consider bringing that work back in-house.
Acquisition
VA's Acquisition Academy gets excellence award
The academy's Internship School that trains the next generation of acquisition employees gets award for its approach to teaching.
Acquisition
Defense bill: Contractors would feel the hurt if feds are injured
If a contractor is found at fault for causing injury to a government employee, DOD must prohibit any award fee.
Acquisition
It takes a village
As editors of a publication that reaches tens of thousands of executives and professionals in and around government, we know the importance of listening to all points of view, even — or especially — when one of those viewpoints is that we’ve got a story all wrong.
Acquisition
Sharing of past-performance data now mandatory
A revised FAR rule requires agencies to use a standard database to share contractors' performance information with one another.
Acquisition
Are GWACs dead or not? Readers sound off
Readers are giving us an earful about our recent coverage of a speech about the fate of GSA’s governmentwide acquisition contracts.
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