Acquisition
Army to streamline commercial IT purchases
CIO/G-6 office to handle all requests to buy outside CHESS contracts.
Acquisition
Deconstructing the contractor compensation debate
Agencies have been reimbursing companies for executive compensation since the Clinton administration. What started as an effort to persuade contractors to stick with the federal market during a time of private-sector economic boom has continued and the cap on the amount paid has risen inexorably, leading to an increasingly loud clamor for reform.
Acquisition
Acquisition lessons from the private sector
A GAO report provides some insights into commercial services acquisition that the government can use, Steve Kelman reports.
Acquisition
Purchase agreements to profit small biz
Two new GSA BPAs are designed to create opportunities for small firms teamed with bigger partners.
Acquisition
Senate committee wants answers on energy saving delays
Contracts based on energy savings could aid the optimization of data centers, but the OMB put a hold on the first such effort was to begin, raising senator's concerns.
Acquisition
House panel probes 'cozy relationship' between IRS official, contractor
The IRS's Gregory Roseman invoked his Fifth Amendment rights in the face of congressional questioning about work given to a business that claimed HUBZone status -- since revoked -- and service-disabled veteran-owned preference based on the owner's 1984 sports injury.
Acquisition
Bill seeks limits on contractor executive reimbursements
A new bill would tie contractor salary reimbursements to the vice president's salary, a proposal that raises the ire of some contractor advocates.
Acquisition
Would capping contractor salary reimbursements make a difference?
GAO report says few small firms would be affected; industry warns the study relies on a 'minuscule' sample size.
Acquisition
OMB issues new spending-data directive to agencies
A memorandum puts some additional controls on contracting data, but transparency advocates say it falls far short of a possible legislative remedy.
Acquisition
DISA gets Microsoft source code
As part of a contract for cardholder support services, the defense agency gets access to the proprietary code.
Acquisition
Taking the pulse of contracting professionals at the Bureau of Prisons
Steve Kelman finds the frustrations and opportunities for improvement are remarkably constant, whether the contract is for high-end IT or improved food services.
Acquisition
Bid protest problems overblown, says former OFPP head
Dan Gordon's study shows that protests are less frequent, more beneficial than critics claim.
Acquisition
FITARA passes House in Defense bill
Legislation harboring some major changes to federal IT, including budget authority for CIOs, is one major step closer to becoming law.
Acquisition
Is strategic sourcing helping small business?
Small firms' offerings don't always fit the initiative's model.
Acquisition
Issa seeks to standardize contractor suspension process
A bill inching closer to reality would phase out agency suspension/debarment offices.
Acquisition
Can feds harness the global workforce?
Steve Kelman wonders if vendors offering vastly lower prices thanks to global competition would capture the government's attention.
Acquisition
FITARA could pass as part of Defense bill
The next major piece of procurement reform legislation has been significantly amended in recent weeks.
Acquisition
GSA IG criticizes managers meddling in contract negotiations
The report could inadvertently impede efforts to keep agencies and contractors talking, some fear.
Acquisition