Acquisition

House boosts agency spending in fiscal 2009 appropriations

The House approved $410 billion for the major agencies, which have been operating under a continuing resolution since October.

Acquisition

Stimulus spending and fixed-price contracts: Readers react

Numerous readers took issue with the news that the new stimulus legislation directs agencies to spend stimulus money through firm fixed-price contracts.

Acquisition

Stimulus law requires fixed-price contracts

Congress continues to limit contracts that give companies incentives, such as contracts with award fees.

Acquisition

Partner or patsy?

The economic downturn gives agencies a tool for negotiating contract discounts – if they use it.

Acquisition

GSA gives Alliant small-biz contractors the all clear

The General Services Administration gave the all clear this week to the contractors tapped for the $15 billion Alliant Small Business contract.

Acquisition

Lieberman creates contracting oversight panel

Sen. Joe Lieberman has created a subcommittee that will deal with contracting abuses. Sen. Claire McCaskill will chair the subcommittee.

Acquisition

Panel will review Alaska Native set-asides

The House Small Business Committee said it will examine the SBA's program after a 2008 report raised questions about possible fraud.

Acquisition

Senator wants tougher checks on agencies' domestic buys

Sen. Brown wants to toughen the Buy America Act's requirements with a Web-based waiver process.

Acquisition

GSA works to improve Schedule 70 operations

GSA officials want to return the $16 billion IT contract program to its former prestige.

Acquisition

Agencies must share details about noncompetitive contracts

Regulators require agencies to post online their reasons for awarding a contract with no competition.

Acquisition

GSA awards Alliant Small Business contract

Seventy-two small businesses get slots on the information technology contract.

Acquisition

Paper urges tougher controls on contractors

A report recommends requiring contractors to report overpayments, have ethics programs.

Acquisition

ITAA plans merger, name change

The technology trade group is merging with another association and changing its name on New Year's Day.

Acquisition

FedTracker: Landrieu to chair small business committee

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) will be the new chairwoman of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee in the next Congress.

Acquisition

Letters to the Editor

Attrition in the acquisition workforce; Innovation is overrated

Acquisition

Time to crack the protest case

IAC should take the lead in helping reduce the frequency of bid protests.

Acquisition

Feds to toughen rules on fake IT

The widespread availability of counterfeit IT products presents a threat to the United States.

Acquisition

Letter: Dependence on contractors eternal

A reader writes that the contractor vs. civil servant debate ensures dependence on contractors.

Acquisition

Experts: Value beats price to avoid fake IT

At a recent meeting, procurement experts agreed that contracting officers should look beyond price when awarding contracts.

Acquisition

Letter: T&M contracts not necessarily risky

A reader writes to say that time-and-materials contracts are unpopular because government irresponsibility.