Acquisition
IG: IRS awards risky contracts
The Internal Revenue Service tends to award cost-reimbursement contracts although some of the work is for routine maintenance, a report says.
Acquisition
House committee establishes acquisition panel
The new defense acquisition panel will help guide reforms in the next two defense authorization bills, the House Armed Services Committee says.
Acquisition
Successful programs require independent management and oversight
Obama's emphasis on accountability should extend to agency/contractor relationships.
Acquisition
Readers react: The problems with the DOD acquisition workforce
Our recent story about the defense acquisition workforce struck a nerve with a lot of readers, who have pretty strong ideas about what needs to be fixed.
Acquisition
Obama: Big changes coming in federal contracting
President Obama wants more oversight of no-bid contracts and wants agencies to review their existing contracts to identify waste.
Acquisition
Administration wants to change contracting
Officials intend to review sole-source contracts and cost-type contracts, which offer awards for good performance, while clarifying the types of work only government employees can do.
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