Acquisition

Conflict-of-interest rules could expand

A final rule is set to take effect in December, but its scope could still be expanded.

Acquisition

Kempf: OFPP's legacy is collaboration

Gordon got agency officials to use existing contracts across government, while also sharing their resources, services and contracts.

Acquisition

Alaska Native Corp. program: The case for and against

Critics and supporters disagree about the benefits and disadvantages of the sole-source, set-aside program.

Acquisition

Agencies told to set aside more orders for small firms

Officials want small companies to get more businesses in the growing world of task and delivery orders since that’s where the money has increasingly been going

Acquisition

Bidding for savings: Reverse auctions gain new favor

Reverse auctions, always a tool agencies can use, get a boost from a new report

Acquisition

How the $16 muffin story harms the discourse

The story of conference muffins costing $16 each, a recently iconic mental image of government waste, is false -- and Steve Kelman explains why spreading such stories is harmful.

Acquisition

A new push to rethink the small-biz contracting payoff

Where's the return on investment if agencies invest in and foster small businesses that are bought or fail once they outgrow the small-business program?

Acquisition

Contractor tax repeal advances

The House approves a repeal of the 3 percent withholding tax on contractors. Next up: a Senate vote.

Acquisition

Agencies, companies wait in limbo about tax repeal

Officials throughout the government—including state and local governments—and contracting companies are having to spend money to modify their systems for a law that might be repealed before it takes effect.

Acquisition

Other cartels that might alarm the former federal CIO

Conspiracy-seekers might not have to look very far to find cause for concern.

Acquisition

Obama: Tax-delinquent measure would complicate contracting

A bill would prohibit an agency from awarding a contract worth more than $5 million unless the company is up to date on its taxes.

Acquisition

Union: Too much discretion in outsourcing will come with a price

Outsourcing critical work could, in the long run, cost agencies their institutional knowledge, argues Colleen Kelley, national president of the National Treasury Employees Union.

Acquisition

When it comes to outsourcing decisions, everyone angles to be 'critical'

The 'intentionally vague' definition of 'critical function' could apply to almost all agency work, says Robert Burton, deputy OFPP administrator during the George W. Bush administration.

Acquisition

Senators, experts to watch for DOD contract reforms

A defense procurement expert asked senators to question defense officials' support for major acquisition reforms in contingency operations.

Acquisition

Suspension, debarment getting agencies' attention, official says

More agencies are establishing formal suspension and debarment programs and dedicating more staff to handle referrals and manage cases.

Acquisition

Listening in on GovLoop

Steve Kelman takes time to hear what the GovLoopers are saying.

Acquisition

SBA could make small-biz credit easier to get

SBA proposes changes that would help agencies meet subcontracting goals when interagency contracts are in style.

Acquisition

Old tricks for abusing purchase cards apparently still in use, audit finds

Internal Revenue Service employees appear to be circumventing the micro-purchasing rules using some old techniques that still work -- until auditors catch on.

Acquisition

Tom Suder: Better ideas for BetterBuy

Suder's proposal for improving government procurement became the foundation for the General Services Administration's BetterBuy Project.

Acquisition

Air Force procurement contests take wing

The Air Force discovers the value of contests as a route to innovation.