Acquisition

STARS III deadline draws near

The STARS II small business contract proved so popular that its ceiling value has been extended several times, but the General Services Administration is ready for its successor.

Acquisition

DOD's China-tech waiver targets high-volume buys, excludes major weapons systems

Nearly three-fourths of what the Defense Department buys will be temporarily exempt from the government-wide Huawei ban.

Acquisition

Pentagon advances domestic drone plan

The Defense Department names five U.S. vendors for domestic sourcing of small drone aircraft.

Acquisition

Engineering hurdles to clear ahead of tech 're-shoring'

The Trump administration has national security concerns when it comes to foreign dominance in microelectronics, but research and engineering advances are needed as a precursor to new policy, a top official said.

Acquisition

Extend Section 3610 of the CARES Act

Without an extension to the legislation that compensates federal contractors unable to work because of pandemic-related facility closures, more people would lose their jobs, more companies could fold and the government could lose access to highly experienced and skilled members of their workforce who are critical to supporting national security, defense and other federal mission areas.

Acquisition

DOD eyes large COVID payments for contractors

Ellen Lord, the Defense Department's chief buyer, said the organization is considering lump-sum payments for COVID-19 claims rather than negotiating contract-by-contract.

Acquisition

Huawei ban looms for contractors

Federal contractors are still facing uncertainty about new rules to get rid of Chinese-made gear.

Acquisition

Lawmakers push for border tech assessment

Legislation would have the Department of Homeland Security assess its border security technologies and consider new ones.

Acquisition

Army extends software contracts under ITES

The Army's enterprise software office extends a multiple award contract.

Acquisition

TVA rescinds plans to fire tech workers

The federally owned power company called the plan to fire workers and outsource IT operations as a "disappointing misstep" after the president blasted the move.

Acquisition

Lawmakers push back on STARS shutoff date

Changes the GSA made to one of its most popular governmentwide small business set-aside acquisition vehicles draws congressional scrutiny.

Acquisition

Trump fires TVA chairman over IT outsourcing

The federally owned power company is rethinking plans to fire its internal IT staff and shift to managed services in light of Trump's intervention and a new executive order on federal contracting.

Acquisition

DHS seeks permanent flexible acquisition authorities

Temporary acquisition authorities that aid the Department of Homeland Security in getting innovative commercial technologies and goods in response to the COVID-19 crisis should be lasting tools in the department's acquisition toolbox, the agency's top acquisition official told a Senate panel.

Acquisition

Sustainment issues plague F-35’s logistics IT backbone

Questions remain about the replacement for the F-35’s logistics infrastructure, Autonomic Logistics Information Systems, which has been riddled with errant alerts and corrupted data transfer.

Acquisition

SBA defends data exposure response

The notification of companies whose data had been exposed by the Small Business Administration's effort to set up advanced electronic emergency loan portals was slowed by a contracting issue, the agency's deputy CIO told Congress.

Acquisition

OMB says fourth quarter spending spree can help boost economy

The director of the Office of Management and Budget reminded agencies to keep category management, acquisition flexibilities and quick vendor payments in mind during the upcoming busy fourth quarter federal buying season.

Acquisition

GSA working on Alliant 2 Small Business replacement

The agency is moving ahead with a replacement for a troubled small business government wide acquisitions contract.

Acquisition

Agencies improving contracting forecasts

Second survey of dozens of federal agencies shows they’re improving their contracting forecast data making it easier for contractors to follow, according to contracting group.

Acquisition

DIU issues $13 million in drone contracts to fight COVID

The Defense Department's innovation arm has fast-tracked $13.4 million in small-drone contracts under the Defense Production Act.

Acquisition

Defense contractors pressure White House, DOD for more pandemic stimulus funds

Major defense company executives are pushing the White House and Pentagon for additional financial relief due to increased costs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.