Digital Government

GAO Sustains Bid Protests of $17.5B DISA Contract

The watchdog group said DISA didn't provide a reasonable basis for comparing the cost of competing proposals.

People

Obama signs Do Not Pay legislation

New law calls for expanded use of existing databases to guard against fraud and error.

Acquisition

Good directions for strategic sourcing

Steve Kelman assesses recommendations in a recent GAO report on strategic sourcing.

Cybersecurity

DHS continues revising acquisition rules

Responding to IG pressure, the Homeland Security Department has been revamping its rules for awarding risky cost reimbursement contracts rather than safer fixed-price options.

People

Military services falter on single-bid contract guidance

An audit finds that DOD agencies often award contracts to the only bidder without trying to expand competition, despite DOD's own guidance.

People

Abuse prevention for government charge cards becomes law

The president signed a bill that will put more controls on the use of government charge cards.

Acquisition

Agencies take action as GAO knocks strategic sourcing effort

After an audit found that agencies have made very little use of strategic sourcing, DOD and other agencies point to some reforms, pledge to make more.

People

Departments missing chance to save big money

A pending report on four key agencies finds less than 5 percent of FY 2011 procurement was managed through strategic sourcing.

Acquisition

Industry resists government's push for low prices

The cheapest deal isn't always the best buy, industry advocates argue.

Digital Government

Senators challenge administration on layoff advice

The Obama administration's pledge to pay the legal fees of contractors who run into trouble for sequestration-related layoffs might not be legal.

People

Missing data hampers contract inventories

Agencies are supposed to maintain contract inventories to give management a clear picture of where their money goes, but some critical data is difficult to get.

Acquisition

12 hot companies to watch

In an era of federal streamlining and cost-cutting, these companies are thriving by helping agencies get the most out of their data and dollars.

Modernization

Cyber era brings new kinds of supply-chain threats

The military is facing the risk of digital sabotage in counterfeit electronics components infiltrating defense systems.

Acquisition

The top 50 Schedule 70 contractors

The General Service Administration's Schedule 70 contracts offer agencies an easy route to acquire IT-related products and services, and many vendors and contractors do a brisk business using it. Here are the top 50.

People

GSA unravels snag in digitizing contract files

The General Services Administration is working to resolve the management mistakes and unclear priorities that have hampered its digitization effort.

Acquisition

Incentives: Cheering on the bargain shoppers

Employees like being recognized for their good work, but these days there are more negative incentives than positives.

People

Alan Estevez nominated for senior DOD procurement job

The Defense Department will play a prominent role in navigating procurement in a tough fiscal time, and the nominee for a senior acquisition job awaits the Senate's confirmation.

Acquisition

Comment: Small businesses at risk of subcontractor abuse

Some government officials and large companies can be dangerous for small firms, warns Jaime Gracia.

Acquisition

Sequstration could cut off some suppliers for agencies

Agencies rely on small firms for their operations, but many of those companies don't have the cushion to survive harsh cutbacks from sequestration.

Acquisition

5 keys to rekindling government innovation

It wasn't just a noble vision that got America to the moon, it was also the federal government’s legal, regulatory, management and legislative framework. Paul Brubaker offers some ideas to recapture the innovative climate of the 1960s.