Acquisition

Understanding the not-so-scary state of bid protests

Vendor protests of huge contract awards are probably inevitable, but a federal procurement expert says that’s always been the case.

Acquisition

White House releases open source policy

Federal CIO Tony Scott announced plans to make federal software code usable and sharable across agencies, and a pilot program to release some code to the public.

Acquisition

NITAAC's Coen headed to GSA

The director of one of the biggest IT acquisition vehicles is headed to the GSA.

Acquisition

Understanding how FITARA grades are calculated

The Government Accountability Office scores agencies' implementation efforts -- and some of the metrics may surprise you.

Acquisition

OMB's new one-stop shop for digital services

A new site, developed by OMB and USDS, gives feds a one-stop shop for information and best practices for digital services acquisition.

Acquisition

At CHESS, Army gets flexible on contracting

The contracting regime run by the Army's Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions is moving into a new phase with big implications for federal IT acquisition.

Acquisition

GSA needs to keep a sharper eye on reseller prices

GSA's inspector general says the agency must do a better job of ensuring the government receives competitive pricing from resellers, which often charge different prices on different contracts.

Acquisition

Finding the industry linchpins of federal IT

Help FCW and Washington Technology identify this year's Hot Companies to Watch.

Acquisition

Bill would extend civilian contractor whistleblower protections

New legislation would protect personal service contractors and subcontractors who report waste, fraud and abuse.

Acquisition

Congress mulls changes to 'inherently governmental' activities

Lawmakers are considering opening up previously limited federal functions to commercial competition.

Acquisition

DOD memo clarifies DIUX mission

The July memo seeks to put Defense Innovation Unit Experimental on firmer ground following criticism from Congress.

Acquisition

DOE backs away from new business system mandates

The Energy Department withdrew plans for a rule that would set up definitions for contractors to adhere to or face financial penalty.

Acquisition

Scott: ITMF paybacks won't be an issue

The federal CIO says agencies will be compelled to pay back their loans as modern IT systems come online. But some on Capitol Hill still have their doubts.

Acquisition

Deadline extended for Rising Star nominations

Got some early-career colleagues who are doing great things in federal IT? Nominate them for FCW's 2016 Rising Star awards.

Acquisition

Alliant 2 hits the street

The General Services Administration is seeking proposals from vendors on its $50 billion Alliant 2 IT services contracts.

Acquisition

New procurement rule boosts price transparency

GSA hailed a big change to transactional data reporting rules for its Federal Supply Schedules Program as a pivotal moment in procurement.

Acquisition

Supreme Court sharpens False Claims Act definitions

A recent Supreme Court ruling covering the False Claims Act is going to change the way contractors do business with the federal government.

Acquisition

DOD officials say IT acquisition rules still woefully outdated

Acquisition reform has typically been iterative, via the annual defense policy bill. That approach has still left acquisition officials wanting for a means of speeding up the process.

Acquisition

FBI bullish on enterprise services

"It's a major change internally within the FBI [in] how we buy stuff," FBI Chief Acquisition Officer Paul Courtney said.

Acquisition

How agencies seek to shape the acquisition process

Revamping the federal acquisition process requires innovation and a creative approach to break with the way things have been done and appeal to the incoming workforce.