Acquisition

Agencies could lose some suspension and debarment discretion

Defense bill would mandate action against contractors in some situations, rather than allowing agencies to decide case by case.

Acquisition

Small businesses face federal market storms

The federal budget crunch could crush small businesses without more agency support, warns columnist Jaime Gracia.

People

Help for contract requirements

Online tools can help program managers develop requirements for contracting, Steve Kelman reports.

Acquisition

Collins presses OFPP nom on politics in contracting

Sen. Susan Collins is concerend about OFPP nominee's stance on a hypothetical order requiring companies to disclose political contributions in bids.

Acquisition

OFPP nominee reveals priorities

Joe Jordan, nominated to lead the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, could get Senate governmental affairs committee approval next week.

Acquisition

Defense bill would boost small business contracting goal

DOD lacks a culture geared toward fostering small business participation, lawmakers believe, but a new bill would attempt to change that.

Modernization

Two House members to hold IT forum over colleagues' objections

The forum is expected to address workforce issues, IT issues, including the data center shutdown proposal, contracting awards based on price, all of which are affect agencies' operations.

Acquisition

Mythbusting: OFPP tackles industry's contracting misconceptions

Officials emphasized feedback early in the acquisition process and taking advantage of industry days as agencies maximize scarces resources.

Cybersecurity

Notes from Naval IT Day: Quips and quotes and food for thought

Every conference has those moments of breaking up the monotony; here's a few from AFCEA Naval IT Day.

People

Crafting better jobs for young contracting professionals

Steve Kelman offers ideas to make government more effective at recruiting young talent.

People

Warriors to Workforce program gives vets a second chance

The VA Acquisition Academy's Lisa Doyle created the Warriors to Workforce program to train wounded veterans to become acquisition professionals.

Acquisition

IG highlights GSA's missing pieces in contract files

Audit finds GSA's assisted acquisition service center, FEDSIM, without complete files on high-risk contracts.

Acquisition

Senators to DOD: Use more of your own employees

Lawmakers urge DOD to avoid placing caps on department employees that contractors don't have to also abide by.

Acquisition

DOD moves to change rules for buying commercial products

DOD has proposed changes to acquisition rules that may drastically impact the federal marketplace.

Acquisition

Putting the GSA Humpty Dumpty back together again

Once the dust settles, the hard work will begin to build a stronger, more customer-focused agency.

Acquisition

VA resumes reverse auctions, but questions linger

Updated guidelines on reverse auctions require contracting officers to show how they benefit the agency's bottom line.

Acquisition

Spare parts pricing -- still crazy after all these years

Despite years of recognition that it's a problem, the government hasn't solved spare-parts pricing.

Acquisition

Industry wants agencies in control, not mandates

Industry groups want agencies to have discretion and the authority to manage its acquisition as it sees best.

Digital Government

DOD puts its acquisition procedures under a microscope

DOD is taking a multi-faceted approach to overhauling the way it buys goods and services in the face of dwindling funds.

Acquisition

GSA's defenders line up

Rep. Jeff Denham's call to dismantle GSA meets skepticism and opposition in the acquisition community.