Modernization

5 ways to prep for procuring cloud services

Some core definitions and tools could bridge the conflicting needs of agencies and cloud providers.

Modernization

Is government procurement ready for the cloud?

Cloud computing can present unfamiliar territory for government acquisition officials.

Modernization

Navy prepares to award contract for shipboard computer networks

The Navy is upgrading its shipboard networks with the first phase of a new contract expected to be awarded Feb. 1.

People

Successful IT projects: Good news travels slowly

Steve Kelman finds a GAO report documenting successful IT acquisitions that apparently did not get much attention.

Acquisition

Agencies that miss small-biz goals could face penalties

Under a new bill, a department that misses a small-business contracting goal could lose money from the next year's budget.

Acquisition

Small business advocate raises reverse auction concerns

SBA's Office of Advocacy wants OFPP to clearly tell the acquisition workforce to follow regulations on set-asides.

People

Modernize legacy systems or replace them: The debate continues

Lowering costs requires weighing the pros and cons of updating antiquated systems or replacing them.

Digital Government

Obama nominates chiefs for policy, readiness, acquisition

The president nominates three senior Defense Department officials to fill key management positions.

Acquisition

Industry group warns against mandates for small-biz opportunities

Small contractors would suffer if regulators adopt guidance that replaces agencies’ flexibility, trade group says.

People

2012: The rise of the virtual workforce

2012 will see a more intense focus on building a 'hyper-productive, hyper-available' federal workforce.

Modernization

Defense IT: Preparing for the worst and other survival strategies in 2012

Although everyone will feel the pain of budget cuts in the days ahead, some areas of defense IT will fare better than others.

People

IT acquisition: Pay less now, more later

Acquisition officials, wary of budget scrutiny, are finding it difficult to resist the temptation of low pricing, whatever the long-term costs.

Acquisition

Sequestration makes contractors into 'hostages': Panel

As agencies scramble to cut costs under sequestration, contractors should expect to be squeezed too.

People

Resource centers boost competition for secret contracts

A classified site similar to FedBizOpps makes it easier for intell agencies to find contractors.

Cybersecurity

Deepwater acquisition sinks, but not without lessons

The Coast Guard has terminated its controversial Deepwater ship and boat replacement program after a decade.

Modernization

No need to rush the transition to the cloud

The Defense Authorization bill makes it even more important for federal acquisition officials to learn how to craft sound cloud procurements.

Acquisition

Don't celebrate withholding tax repeal just yet

While agencies aren't planning to hold back funds anymore, the government still seeks ways to collect delinquent taxes from contractors.

People

Government seeks input on federal mobility strategy

The government wants advice from feds and the public on speeding up the adoption of mobile technologies.

People

With OMB and OFPP heads gone, can the administration agenda advance?

Two top leaders of OMB and OFPP are stepping down within a month of each other. What's the impact?

Acquisition

Companies can challenge government data on their performance

The delay gives the government time to make system changes.