People
9 contracts that changed IT procurement
Most contracts come and go, but some change the procurement landscape and leave a legacy that will last for decades.
People
Past performance returns
After years of benign neglect from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, it looks like the use of past-performance data in contractor selection might be back on the agenda.
People
Who's on First?
Key IT and acquisition jobs remain unfilled in the Obama administration and even the rumormill is strangely quiet.
Acquisition
Vets could get edge on no-bid contracts at VA
A new bill would require the Veterans Affairs Department to give priority to veteran-owned small businesses when outsourcing work with no competition.
Cybersecurity
DHS another step closer to departmentwide debarments
DHS on July 16 published a new interim rule on suspensions and debarments for nonprocurement-related entities.
Acquisition
House passes spending bill with outsourcing provisions
Agencies would have to create an annual inventory of services they’ve outsourced to the private sector and review whether to return the work to government employees.
Acquisition
Administration, GAO clash in turf war
The Government Accountability Office has denied the Small Business Administration’s request to reconsider recent bid protest decisions that give priority to HUBZone businesses. This might lead to a turf fight.
Modernization
Agencies seek social-media contractors
Even though social-media tools are easy to use, some agencies want contractors to help anyway.
Acquisition
Senators probe Alaska set-aside program
A Senate subcommittee says agencies are using ANCs to award contracts quickly and avoid competition.
Acquisition
Report: Alaska Native contracting program delivers little benefit to communities
Four Alaska Native Corporations were among the top 100 recipients of contract awards in 2008 and six companies made Washington Technology’s list of the top 100 prime contractors in 2009.
Modernization
Kundra: System will give agencies easier access to new technology
A new storefront is designed to let federal agencies buy technology in real time.
Cybersecurity
GSA SmartBuy contracts awarded
Program will make cybersecurity software available to agencies.
Acquisition
Audit agency reaffirms earlier ruling against HUBZone preference
SBA and OMB contended GAO overreached its authority in ruling that HUBZone businesses should get priority over 8(a) small businesses and service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.
Acquisition
Coalition stumps for Alaska Native set-asides as hearing looms
Native8(a)works launched its effort to tell Congress about what SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program does for the United States’ indigenous people.
Cybersecurity
IG: SBInet has too many contractors
SBInet's heavy reliance on contractors increases the risk of losing control of that program.
People
Congress tries to improve defense acquisition
A defense task force said the acquisition process is too cumbersome and slow to keep up with the fast-pace evolution of information technology systems.
Acquisition
SAIC faces challenge in False Claims Act defense
SAIC could be facing long odds in its defense against a False Claims Act lawsuit, says a watchdog group.
People
DOD seeks to balance outsourcing, in-house expertise
The Defense Department needs systems engineers who have a deep understanding of the IT systems in their charge, although they don’t need to actually write the software lines of code, an official said.
Acquisition
SAIC faces challenge in False Claims defense
SAIC claims the lawsuit is false, but one expert says that the company is playing a game of chicken with the Justice Department.
Acquisition