Acquisition
5 keys to improving federal procurement
Fixing the fundamentals is more important than introducing innovation, one reader argues.
Modernization
Kundra's 'IT cartel:' Fact or fiction?
Outgoing Federal CIO says a cartel of contractors holds back progress in federal IT. Is he right, or on shaky ground? Our readers speak up.
Modernization
DOD wants its contracting offices under one roof
Defense agencies have interpreted acquisition regulations with a lot of variation, a carryover from the days of when contracts were written primarily on paper.
Acquisition
DOD: Wartime contracting reforms underway
Defense officials say they have toughened prosecution of fraudulent contractors and boosted the department’s overall acquisition workforce, including contract managers.
Acquisition
Defense Department revisits its acquisition history
The department is seeking a fact-checker and editor to undertake major revisions of a book series titled "History of Acquisition in the Department of Defense."
Acquisition
Wartime contracting prone to waste, commission finds
Despite knowing it would need heavy contractor support for war operations, the military wasn't ready to manage the contract spending -- and still isn't.
Acquisition
Labor toughens hiring rules for service contractors
The theory is that the government can continue operations more smoothly when a successor service company hires the previous company's employees.
People
Official clarifies costs, affordability aspects of products
DOD's acquisition under secretary was clearing up confusion about two ideas that he introduced into the defense acquisition process in 2010 to control costs.
Acquisition
Regulatory reforms to hit competition, communication
President Barack Obama ordered agencies to modernize and increase the transparency of their regulation of industry and commerce.
Acquisition
GSA aims to consolidate federal IT commodity buys
GSA officials propose creating as many as 10 blanket purchase agreements covering laptops, desktops and other popular IT products.
Acquisition
The ghosts of small businesses past
Critics say SBA's small-business score cards are meaningless because small businesses aren't actually doing the work.
Modernization
Army’s new network strategy is changing the way it fights
Col. John Morrison discusses the Army's new integrated networking strategy and how it's helping the Army keep up with the constantly evolving requirements of modern warfare.
People
IG finds faults in acquisition workforce info system
The acquisition workforce information system is riddled with faults, forcing GSA and other agencies to take different approaches to understanding the makeup of their employees, a report states.
Acquisition
Defense agencies adjust procurement thinking
At a time when the government is drawing borders around contractors, some defense IT officials are pinning their technology hopes on their close partnerships with companies.
People
Interior reconsiders future of assisted services branch
Interior's IG questions the usefulness of the Acquisition Services Directorate in Sierra Vista, Ariz., saying its risks might outweigh its benefits.
Digital Government
IG probes favoritism in DARPA contracts
DARPA may have a conflict of interest with a defense contractor closely tied to its director. The IG is launching a series of audits to inquire.
Cybersecurity
Protective Services risk assessment system fails, GAO says
The Federal Protective Service's costs for developing a new risk assessment system have tripled and the system is two years behind schedule, a new report says.
Acquisition
Government-industry group sifts out top contracting reforms
ACT-IAC started a website to survey the government vendor community's view on IT acquisition reforms.
People
Specialists are hidden treasures of expertise, GAO says
Officials would do well to hunt down specialists inside their agencies to tap their expertise, a new report advises.
People