Acquisition

Innovation, the devil and the details

Industry representatives want more information from federal officials supporting their claims that new procurement programs won't compete with the private sector.

Acquisition

DHS suspends work with USIS after cyberattack

Background-check firm says the breach "has all the markings of a state-sponsored attack."

Acquisition

DHS's Borkowski: Acquisition officials must get tougher with industry

Customs and Border Protection assistant commissioner offers straight talk on costs, performance of contracts.

Acquisition

Getting DoD to buy commercial IT

Former ranking defense IT officials argue that an empowered CIO would help the military focus on off-the-shelf IT and avoid the "death spiral of software development."

Acquisition

Kendall: Keep it simple on acquisition reform

Top Pentagon acquisition official says Better Buying Power 3.0 will come in 2-3 months.

Acquisition

Executive order targets labor law violators

The latest White House contracting directive singles out vendors while ignoring a much broader problem, says Alan Chvotkin of the Professional Services Council.

Acquisition

Beware: Taxpayer rip-off hidden in Defense authorization bill

Steve Kelman spotlights a provision that could make smart procurement even harder.

Acquisition

Bipartisan IT procurement overhaul bill unveiled

The measure, introduced by Reps. Eshoo, Connolly, Hanna and Swalwell, would establish an executive branch office to review select projects for cost overruns.

Acquisition

Forget the doorknobs, kill the alligators

Acquisition experts say reformers need to focus on the larger issues, such as attracting talented innovators.

Acquisition

Is innovative IT acquisition all in your head?

Changing processes is one thing, say federal acquisition experts. Get people to think differently, however, and you can accomplish real change.

Acquisition

'We've got to stop throwing Hail Marys'

In the evolving world of federal IT, revolutionary tech can help aid acquisition, but incremental change is often easier to implement.

Acquisition

OFPP nominee lays out agenda

Anne Rung told senators at her confirmation hearing that she hopes to create areas of specialization for acquisition officials.

Acquisition

DOD stresses testing, evaluation improvements

Officials tout Better Buying Power 2.0 as a catalyst for defense acquisition reform.

Acquisition

Strategic sourcing’s subtle effects on small business

The emphasis on pricing can work to squeeze small firms out of the running for contracts, says a senior Hill staffer.

Acquisition

SEC plans a makeover for EDGAR

The Securities and Exchange Commission intends to award a contract to overhaul its online public company filing system by the end of September.

Acquisition

HealthCare.gov IT contract opens for bidders

A few bells and whistles are planned for the next iteration of HealthCare.gov.

Acquisition

What needs to be fixed in the FAR?

Steve Kelman spotlights two areas where real obstacles to effective IT contracting may exist -- and suggests solutions for each.

Acquisition

HealthCare.gov IT contract opens for bidders

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are seeking contractors to take charge of the IT for the federal health insurance exchanges.