Acquisition
House panel links acquisition reforms to people
After a year of hearings, the chairman of a House panel on Defense Department acquisition reforms says DOD must develop new regulations for hiring and building up a civilian acquisition workforce.
Acquisition
Senate bill takes aim at HUBZone fraud
The bill seeks to ensure that only eligible firms participate in the HUBZone program.
Acquisition
Army to insource core governmental functions, official says
The Army intends to insource 7,162 positions this fiscal year and 11,000 more jobs from fiscal 2011 to 2015, official says.
Acquisition
GSA administrator promises innovative solutions, superior performance from her agency
The General Services Administration must know its clients, meet their needs through innovation and do it well, Martha Johnson, the new GSA administrator said in a speech after her swearing-in.
Acquisition
IBM to integrate federal acquisition databases
The contract is for merging nine databases to streamline the federal procurement process.
Acquisition
Government should take a cue from consumers
A startup called Groupon provides the federal government with a good model of how to leverage buying power, writes blogger Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
The rise of the 'critical function': A new way to think about acquisition
The critical function stole the importance of the inherently governmental function because the Obama administration has said it wants less outsourcing.
Acquisition
Agencies should not fear talking to contractors
Columnist Steve Kelman writes that communication between government and industry is key to saving money and and preventing misunderstandings in contract language.
Acquisition
Contract management: Glass half empty or half full?
Where GAO finds problems with DOD contract management, blogger Steve Kelman finds reason for hope.
Acquisition
Senator: Military in Afghanistan has improved its contract oversight
The military has improved slightly regarding audits and contracting oversight in Afghanistan, a senator says.
Acquisition
VA to implement IT-driven, patient-centered care model
In what it describes as a massive transformation, the Veterans Affairs Department is preparing to adopt a relatively new concept called patient-centered care that uses technology to keep patients informed and engaged.
Acquisition
VA officials toughen small business rules
A new rule defines the eligibility requirements for businesses to get verified status as a veteran-owned small business
Acquisition
Bill would increase oversight of prime-subcontractor relations
The bill would pressure companies to keep a clean performance record by paying subcontractors on time.
Acquisition
Senators push for more small-business contracts
New legislation would require agencies to think about small businesses and reconsider bundled contracts.
Acquisition
Lieberman urges confirmation of nominee to lead GSA
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) has urged his colleagues to end debate on the nomination of Martha Johnson to be the General Services Administration’s administrator and confirm her as soon as possible.
Acquisition
Army let contractor get too involved in program, IG says
DOD's IG found that a company helped develop a contract and then bid on it.
Acquisition
Bid protest numbers increased during fiscal 2009
Protesters filed more complaints with the Government Accountability Office about agency contracting decisions in fiscal 2009 than in the previous four years.
Acquisition
Did CDC violate contract rules? Agency, auditors disagree
The HHS inspector general is accusing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of violating federal acquisition rules prohibiting personal services contracts, while CDC's director insists no violation has occurred.
Acquisition
GSA disaster recovery program could open doors, expert says
Growing sales in the disaster recovery program could help to sway legislators to open all GSA schedules contracts for cooperative purchasing.
Acquisition