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.
Modernization
New bill would grant CIOs greater authority
Legislation being drafted by House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa would clarify the CIO's role, and enact several other reforms.
Acquisition
DOD interpreting labor rate cap too strictly, group claims
A law requires Defense agencies to try to keep labor and overhead rates charged by contractors to 2010 levels, but a contractor advocate says the department has more leeway than it realizes.
People
FAS commissioner position is open
In a shuffling of positions, Steve Kempf will return from medical leave to a new job within GSA, and the agency seeks a new leader for its acquisition service.
Acquisition
OFPP head encourages 'hard line' against unscrupulous contractors
Agencies are investing more in suspension and debarment programs and have taken action more often in recent years on questionable contractors, Joe Jordan says.
People
The Navy's Elliott Branch: Getting a good deal for government.
An award honors an innovator in federal procurement, pointing to the priorities of our time.
Acquisition
OFPP lets DOD deal with pricing complexities first
Officials have to make a judgment call on whether to take the lower price now and potentially pay more later on when problems arise from minimal quality work.
Acquisition
Kay Kapoor leaves Accenture
Accenture installs an interim head for its federal sector business unit as its leader steps down.
People
Battlefield rotations could be bad for contract management
In war zones, contract personnel are often just getting familiar with their work when it's time to go home.
Cybersecurity
Data-sharing is good ... when agencies do it right
Agencies understand the importance of sharing information, but it still can be difficult to do well. Two new reports document some of the reasons.
People
After VA, Maurice Stewart joins the Ambit Group
Stewart led Veterans Affairs Department efforts to improved communications and transform its relationship with suppliers.
People
GSA's SAM continues to frustrate its users
One system frustrates an entire community of federal agencies and government contractors.
People
GSA may lower some contract surcharges for agencies
With a surplus on hand in the GSA Schedules program, the time may be ripe for restructuring the fees, according to GSA's leader.
People
Tangherlini to centralize GSA's IT, people management
GSA's CIO could gain considerable new influence under restructuring plan, acting administrator tells Senate panel.
People