Acquisition

Nominations now open for 2021 Rising Stars

Help us identify the early-career innovators and change agents in government IT.

Acquisition

Lawmakers reach bipartisan deal to probe Jan. 6 attack

The proposed commission would have investigative and subpoena powers and would hold hearings to produce a report by the end of 2021.

Acquisition

With Biden's equity agenda in play, experts talk about making procurement more inclusive

Government procurement practitioners discussed equity and procurement at the Code for America summit, as leaders across the federal enterprise look to measure and expand inclusiveness in public spending.

Acquisition

House Dems urge Biden to back plan for all-electric USPS fleet

House Democrats are urging the White House to support an $8 billion taxpayer-funded proposal to direct the United States Postal Service to move towards an all-electric delivery fleet far sooner than the plan Postmaster General Louis DeJoy unveiled earlier this year.

Acquisition

Lawmakers press White House for space acquisition chief

House appropriators lamented the absence of a dedicated space acquisition chief, challenging the new administration to make a nomination soon.

Acquisition

TMF payback rules relaxed for cyber upgrades, pandemic response

Biden administration officials announced on Tuesday that payback requirements will be relaxed for some projects funded by the recent $1 billion addition to the Technology Modernization Fund. Administrators want urgently needed upgrades that help respond to the pandemic or improve the cybersecurity of federal agencies.

Acquisition

DOD seeks clean acquisition data for better policy oversight

Shelby Oakley, the director for contracting and national security acquisition for the Government Accountability Office, said the ability to conduct data-driven oversight was the Pentagon's acquisition office's biggest challenge.

Acquisition

This year's Sammies includes a special COVID response category

Partnership for Public Service announced the 29 finalists for its annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals.

Acquisition

Biden orders $15 minimum wage for federal contractors

The new minimum wage is set to take effect in early 2022. Agencies will have to include the $15 wage floor in any new contract solicitations starting on January 30, 2022 and have this minimum wage in new contracts by March 30, 2022.

Acquisition

Consortium OTAs suffer from lack of guidance, data, IG finds

The Defense Department's internal watchdog found a lack of data on other transaction awards made through consortiums.

Acquisition

IVAS and the future of defense acquisition

The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System has been in the works for years, but the potentially multibillion deal could mark a paradigm shift in how the Defense Department buys and leverages technology.

Acquisition

Could 2022 see the end of OCO?

As the Biden administration prepares to deliver its first budget, the question arises of whether there's enough political clout to end the controversial overseas contingency operations account.

Acquisition

Expected breach disclosure mandates will test government-industry cooperation

The White House and lawmakers are eyeing steps to make sure contractors have to alert the federal government to cybersecurity breaches on their systems, but expect companies to balk at rules that put them at risk for legal action or require the disclosure of trade secrets.

Acquisition

Will DOD keep collaborating after CVR?

Commercial Virtual Remote, spun up last year to support pandemic telework, goes away this summer. DISA is working to ensure the cloud collaboration continues.

Acquisition

New House task force focuses on supply chain vulnerabilities

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force, said "sometimes the marketplace just doesn't get it right and we, without intending to, create real national security vulnerabilities for ourselves."

Acquisition

HASC chair flips spending debate to acquisition reform

House Armed Services Committee chair, Adam Smith's response to Republicans' call for at least a 3% topline defense budget increase is: "How you spend the money is what matters."

Acquisition

Senate votes to extend pandemic relief for contractors

A Senate amendment to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act extends pandemic relief authorities to government contractors for paid leave through the end of the fiscal year.

Acquisition

House GOP urges increase in defense spending

House Republicans are urging the Biden administration to seek an increase in defense spending in the upcoming budget request to better compete with China and "fill ongoing readiness gaps."

Acquisition

Presidential Rank Awards are back

The Biden administration is bringing back the Presidential Rank Awards for 2021 after a one-year hiatus.

Acquisition

Lawmakers, contractors look to extend COVID aid to industry

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) are pushing for legislation to extend reimbursements for federal contractors unable to work due to COVID-19 through Sept. 30.