People
DHS to hire Hopkins lab to test virtual fence
The Homeland Security Department plans to hire Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory conduct independent testing as it develops its software and technology system to bolster border security.
Acquisition
Denett: Bundling recommendations likely by May
Rep. Nydia Velázquez says OFPP has stalled on setting a policy on unbundling contracts.
People
Navy to focus only on open systems
A senior official says the service can no longer afford to buy proprietary systems.
Acquisition
Court stops work on $50 billion Alliant contract
GSA failed to give adequate weight to prices as it reviewed the 62 proposals for the 10-year, $50 billion contract, claims court judge finds.
People
GSA issues Security LOB enterprise software notice
Under the SmartBuy program, GSA will set up a blanket purchase agreement for situation awareness and incident response software.
Acquisition
Judge rules in favor of Alliant protesters, source says
Many of the protesters say the bid evaluations didn’t match the criteria in the Alliant request for proposals, and that GSA failed to treat each company equally.
Acquisition
GSA launches new initiative to help veterans
The 21 Gun Salute initiative aims to increase the number and percentage of agency contracting dollars going to businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.
People
Air Force hires Northrop Grumman to manage weather systems
Under the $239 million contract, the service's Weather Agency will receive operational support, integrated logistics, and systems engineering and development.
People
Letter: Reader pinpoints contractors' position in management
Even when management is well-intentioned, it can't seem to get out of its own way, and becomes its own worst enemy.
People
IBM protests FBI fingerprint system award
The Government Accountability Office has until June 4 to make a decision.
Acquisition
FAR Council issues final security configuration rule
Contracting officers are also required to consult with program officials to include the proper standards.
People
Kelman: Keeping an eye on the prize
By offering prizes, you can get more research bang for the buck, but will agencies take a risk?
People
IG: DOD fails to keep contractor performance records
The inspector general found that the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System didn't include ratings on all active system contracts and many entries were late.
People
Obama promises small-biz support
Federal contracting dollars intended for small businesses should go to those businesses, the Democratic presidential candidate says.
Modernization
Army reviews current, future data storage needs
The military service is assessing its data storage capacity.
Modernization
GAO disputes savings reports
Auditors find Forest Service lacked data to prove it complied with spending limits.
Acquisition
Guerra: Regulating profit
The government shouldn't care if companies are making a profit as long as they are delivering value.
People
DHS pushes back schedule for deploying virtual fence
The department has given SBInet more time to complete its first phase.
Acquisition
Officials debate disclosure of executives' pay
A bill that proposes that executives of some government contractors would have to submit their salaries to a public database has met opposition.
People