Acquisition

For DOD, trust may be the key to cost savings

Unraveling a bureaucracy built on suspicion could be part of the cure for DOD's ills, study suggests.

Acquisition

Leveraging buying power: A lesson from the private sector

A purchasing group in a family of companies shows the government how it's done.

Acquisition

Agencies told to ensure subcontractors get prompt payments

OMB is asking agencies to report on their progress at speeding up payments.

Acquisition

Prompt payments may become contract selection factor

The Obama administration uses federal contracts to get money to small subcontractors faster.

Acquisition

Suspension, debarment could turn more punitive under proposal

The FAR says that suspension and debarment are to be used only to protect the government, but the Labor Department is considering using them to penalize companies for disregarding Labor rules.

Acquisition

8 best bets for contractors to survive sequestration

As sequestration looms on the horizon, here are some ways government contractors can best prepare.

Acquisition

A new way to use past performance in contracting

Steve Kelman offers an innovation for past-performance data.

Acquisition

New rule could force inexperienced contractors onto agency projects

A proposed rule change intended to protect private-sector jobs could affect agency work, group fears.

Acquisition

Agencies fail, again, to meet small-business contracting goals

Small businesses received $91.5 billion in prime contracts last year, falling short of the percentage supposed to go to them.

Acquisition

How to make a win/win for agencies and small business

The new OFPP has an opportunity to improve small-business contracting and help agencies meet their missions at the same time, writes Steve Kelman.

Acquisition

Meeting Joe Jordan

The new OFPP administrator has "a Boy Scoutish enthusiasm for trying to improve things," Steve Kelman writes.

Acquisition

Small firms 'stiffed' on subcontracts, survey says

The fault though can lie with both the prime contractor and the agency, if there is a fault at all.

Acquisition

OMB's effort to dispel bad information takes a new step

Agencies that adopt the OMB policy will foster greater collaboration with industry by linking program officials with private-sector experts to solve problems, writes columnist Dan Chenok.

Acquisition

Defense bill dilutes agencies' business judgment, experts say

The government has invested money in training and rebuilding an acquisition workforce that has strong business prowess, but proposed rules could hinder the employees' business decisions.

Acquisition

Senators back off call for automatic contractor suspensions

Proposals to require agencies to automatically suspend companies accused of wrongdoing have been softened in latest version of a bill.

Acquisition

GSA job security could increase with schedules revisions

Terminating contracts might seem like a job killer, but some experts predict the opposite effect.

Acquisition

Is GSA stuck with proprietary numbering system?

Dun & Bradstreet provides unique identifiers used to designate businesses in contract coding, and GSA would like more freedom than it now has.

Acquisition

Could penalties for frivolous protests protect agencies?

Companies that develop a habit of filing protests without merit should pay for it, expert recommends.

Acquisition

Think small business when buying small things

Administration puts more emphasis on increasing contracts with small businesses.

Acquisition

Tom Hewitt: The IT market master

By starting the information service and consulting firm Federal Sources, Tom Hewitt made it his business to help industry better meet government's needs.