People
SCOTUS stays out of contractor mandate case, for now
A special expedited hearing on the authority of two federal agencies to issue nationwide vaccine mandates covering nearly 100 million Americans does not touch on the authority to modify federal contracts to require vaccines for contract employees.
Acquisition
USAID plans new ‘Digital Front Door’ portal for contractors
The U.S. Agency for International Development is seeking public feedback on a plan to streamline data reporting requirements for contractors by establishing a single portal for all digital information.
Acquisition
Government watchdog calls out TMF for low rate of cost recovery
The Government Accountability Office said its previous recommendations for the Technology Modernization Fund have not been followed, leading to unrecovered operating costs and unreliable proposal cost estimates for new projects.
Acquisition
A non-traditional IT contractor looks a gift horse in the mouth
Steve Kelman checks in with Agile Six, and that firm's efforts to adapt to labor rates on a major VA contract.
Acquisition
Biden executive order calls for 65% drop in federal government emissions by 2030
A new White House executive order looks to leverage the purchasing power of the federal government to support clean energy goals, and sets ambitious targets for a carbon neutral government by 2050.
Acquisition
Federal court blocks contractor vaccination mandate
A nationwide injunction from a federal court blocks the Biden administration from enforcing its vaccination mandate for the federal contract workforce.
Acquisition
What’s next for CMMC
After the Defense Department revamped cybersecurity standards for contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program’s accreditation body is making adjustments.
Acquisition
White House instructs agencies on contracting equity goals
The Biden administration detailed policy pivots needed to fulfill a commitment to steer $100 billion in federal contracting opportunities to small disadvantaged businesses over the next five years.
Acquisition
Trade group warns of contractor workforce shortfall over vaccine mandate
A Professional Services Council (PSC) committee has forecasted potential workforce issues and billions of dollars in lost IT spend as the White House battles legal challenges to enforce a vaccine mandate for federal contractors.
Acquisition
Biden taps former USAF buyer to lead DOD acquisition
The White House has nominated former Air Force acquisition chief William LaPlante to be the Pentagon’s top buyer.
Cybersecurity
CISA mulls plan to safeguard federal civilian email
According to contracting documents, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is looking to take a leading role in identifying and defending against threats against federal civilian executive branch email systems and networks.
Acquisition
New rule puts $15 minimum wage for federal contractors in place next year
Employees working on federal contracts will have a $15 minimum wage starting on Jan. 30, 2022, per a new rule issued by the Labor Department on Monday.
Modernization
DOD names cloud contenders in JEDI replacement
The Defense Department has invited Google and Oracle to compete for its massive warfighter cloud program alongside Amazon and Microsoft.
Acquisition
Analysis: Are better debriefings driving down protests?
Beginning 2018, the Defense Department started conducting what are called "enhanced" debriefings that allow for more dialogue with companies after they've lost a contract. That means unsuccessful bidders get more information on where their bid fell short without filing a protest.
Acquisition
IT controls still a pain point, DOD audit finds
The Defense Department failed to get a clean opinion in its fourth annual financial audit, highlighting ongoing struggles to accurately account for IT systems.
Digital Government
GSA announces $150M in Federal Citizen Services Fund projects
The Technology Transformation Services is using $150 million in the American Rescue Plan to fund 14 citizen-facing digital service projects.
Modernization
Google wants a place on the next big DOD cloud contract
The tech giant says it has met key technical and security thresholds and is interested in a spot on the upcoming Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract, the multi-cloud successor to JEDI.
Acquisition
Speed bumps for VA's new scheduling system
A watchdog report identified gaps in training and oversight for the new scheduling system being implemented at VA medical facilities.
Acquisition
Who's going to volunteer for the new CMMC?
The Defense Department is looking for contractors to test out its revamped cybersecurity standard to protect unclassified but sensitive data.
People
Union complains of 'double standard' for fed and contractor vaccine mandates
The American Federation of Government employees is asking policymakers to put federal employees and contractors on the same clock when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Almost There!
Help us tailor content specifically for you: