Acquisition
Administration amps up strategic sourcing push
Concerned that agencies are slow to adopt strategic sourcing approaches, administration officials are turning up the heat -- and hinting that a mandate may be coming.
Acquisition
GOP platform signals possible shift in contractor fortunes
The outcome of the presidential election could herald a renewal of the insourcing/outsourcing debate.
Acquisition
Are small-business set-asides helping?
After nearly 35 years of small-business contracting goals, it's worth asking how the set-asides are doing in delivering the intended results.
Acquisition
Do small-business preferences make the grade?
Agencies labor mightily to hit small-business contracting targets, but the emphasis on score cards overshadows some larger questions about set-asides.
Acquisition
Council steps up importance of contractor performance in proposed rule change
Regulators want to change the rules for documenting contractor past performance, with an eye in particular to the treatment of subcontractors.
Acquisition
'Byzantine warren of fiefdoms' makes contracting fraud hard to stop
Data standards could protect taxpayers against deliberate fraud in federal contracting, argues an agency inspector general.
People
Analysis: Some long-term contracts put government at a disadvantage
Officials often dramatically extend or modify short-term, fixed-price contracts, risking cost overruns, delivery delays and diminished product quality even for simple products and services, scholars conclude.
People
Are wartime innovation principles relevant after the war?
Joint explosives organization faces an uncertain post-Afghanistan future, but its CIO hopes that the culture it created will survive and continue to serve the government.
Modernization
GSA awards cloud-based email BPAs
Purchase agreements went to 17 companies, four of which are small businesses.
Acquisition
VA to direct more money to service-disabled vets
VA officials intend to boost their contract awards to veterans.
People
More VA spending goes under investigation
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee interest doesn't stop in Orlando.
Modernization
DISA, GSA round out SATCOM business model
The agencies award a $2.6 billion contract as part of the Future Commercial Satellite Communications Services Acquisition program.
People
Federal officials push for greater info protection
A proposed rule would obligate contractors to provide protective measures for information provided by or generated for the government.
People
Does Congress have time to change contingency contracting?
As agencies choose to disregard recommendations, members of Congress consider ways to enact the changes anyway.
Modernization
GSA schedules Twitter chat for cloud broker idea
The General Services Administration takes another step to foster dialog on an idea for better cloud service provision.
Acquisition
Treasury wants more women, minorities as contract employees
The Treasury Department is considering adding a clause to future contracts encouraging contractors to have more women and minorities among their employees.
People
Analyst: Brace yourself for a busier-than-ever federal 'busy season’
Federal agencies’ natural tendency to spend more in the final months of a fiscal year has been amplified in recent years, and this year features new factors that could push it higher -- or knock it down.
Acquisition
DOD falters on cyber-purchasing plan
A program intended to speed up the acquisition of technology is falling behind schedule, according to reports.
Cybersecurity
DHS considers rule change to protect subcontractors
The Homeland Security Department is suggesting changes to the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation designed to prevent 'windfalls' for contractors.
People