Acquisition

China pushes back against new IT sourcing rules

Restriction on four agencies could affect trade relations, Ministry of Commerce official warns.

Acquisition

Sprint, SoftBank pledge to avoid Huawei after merger

Announcement reflects congressional concerns over cybersecurity and Chinese espionage.

Acquisition

DOD competes fewer contracts

GAO finds more than 30 percent of Pentagon spending went to non-competitive awards in fiscal 2012.

Acquisition

GSA releases draft OASIS RFPs

Professional services vehicle aims to complement GSA schedules for cross-government demands.

Acquisition

FITARA in context: Procurement reform since Clinger-Cohen

The Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 is widely recognized as a watershed moment in federal IT procurement legislation, and several bills since then have shaped the system further. Where does the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act, now under consideration in Congress, fit into the big picture?

Acquisition

IG raps Air Force for contracting lapses

Air Force contracting officers have not consistently followed the rules for issuing solicitations for risky cost-reimbursement contracts.

Acquisition

Procurement reform bill passes committee

Despite complaints from advocacy groups that they've had too little time to review new provisions, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act has cleared its first hurdle.

Acquisition

Congressman seeks small-business harmony between SBA and VA

The Veterans Affairs Department is not following the SBA's regulations as closely as it claims, says the chairman of the House Small Business Committee's Contracting and Workforce subcommittee.

Acquisition

IT acquisition bill would push 'bid-to-price' selection process

Latest draft of FITARA puts a new twist on the 'lowest price technically acceptable' versus 'best value' debate.

Acquisition

SEWP V to address supply chain issues

Revisions to the multiple-award contract are intended to ensure that companies are authorized resellers of the products they offer.

Acquisition

Push to reduce contractor compensation continues

Three senators are trying to get a reduction to the compensation cap added to the continuing resolution.

Acquisition

OFPP gets an earful in debate over outsourcing

Industry association, federal employee group speak their minds at public meeting.

Acquisition

NASA releases SEWP V draft proposal

IT contract covers billions in task orders across government; agency seeking input on the fifth iteration.

Acquisition

Survey seeks fed input on OASIS project

ACT-IAC wants agency feedback on GSA's efforts to source complex services

Acquisition

Procurement reform must address the human factor

Witnesses testifying at House committee hearing emphasized the 'poisoned atmosphere' that acquisition officials must work in, as part of an effort to shape an upcoming reform bill.

Acquisition

Sequester could hit small DOD providers hard

Military officials warn lawmakers that small businesses will likely feel the first effects of budget cuts.

Acquisition

Acquisition officials still wary of talking to industry

As Congress assembles a new IT procurement bill, the former head of the OFPP urges easing tensions between agencies and companies as his 'myth-busting' campaign sought to do.

Acquisition

DOD to start filing more contract information

Defense contracting officers are about to become subject to reporting rules that have applied only to civilian agencies for a year.

Acquisition

Sequestration hinders DOD Quickpay plan

The Defense Department is backing off an effort to accelerate contractor payments, citing pending forced budget cuts.

Acquisition

Silver lining for small businesses lies in OFPP request

While the recent attention to cost comparisons could lead to more insourcing, there's a subtext in the OFPP's position that could be good news for small firms.