Acquisition

Good advice on past-performance from Wartime Contracting Commission

A recent report from the Wartime Contracting Commission reminds Steve Kelman of his regret over a decision he made in the 1990s.

People

Look north for ways to save on IT

The United States could learn from the Canadian government's performance evaluation process for IT hardware, writes Advanced Micro Devices' Rick Indyke.

People

Kundra agrees with Obama on IT purchasing

The federal CIO agreed with President Barack Obama's comments on April 14, in which he complained about how the government buys IT.

Acquisition

DOD parses the people factor in procurement reform

FCW talked to Shay Assad for a Q&A. Assad has been at the center of acquisition reforms for years and has most recently led the way in encouraging a customer-focused culture in DOD procurement.

People

As federal awardee database opens, debate about openness continues

Watchdog groups and business groups are wrestling over what contractor information should be available to the public as part of the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System.

Acquisition

Some agencies struggle to recover improper payments

Improper and fraudulent payments to federal contractors got attention at a House subcommittee hearing today.

Acquisition

Wartime contracting panel needs broader view, group says

Criticism of wartime contracting reform comes as officials seek lessons from nongovernmental organizations on their contingency operations.

Acquisition

Obama ties funding to declining debt in proposal

President Obama has proposed across-the-board spending cuts tied to the debt, but left unclear the impacts on IT, workforce and other programs.

People

Improving the purchase card program

The government purchase card has made procuring low-cost items much easier, but there are ways the program could be improved, writes Steve Kelman.

Modernization

VA contracting officers may face penalty for poor recordkeeping

A senior Veterans Affairs Department official plans to propose a penalty for contracting officers if they don't file contracting information into the VA's database.

Acquisition

Costs jumped on VA's Wi-Fi contract, IG says

The Veterans Affairs Department rushed through procuring Wi-Fi at 236 VA facilities, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General.

Digital Government

CIOs talk. Does anyone listen?

A lack of clout in departments' roundtable discussions must stand out clearly — even to those outside the federal IT community.

People

Bill would overhaul federal acquisition training

Lawmakers in the House and Senate introduced legislation that would reorganize the federal acquisition training system and promote career development for those working within the civilian acquisition workforce.

Acquisition

How to make reverse auctions even better

Steve Kelman advises FedBid on how to enhance the value of its reverse auction service.

Acquisition

Bill would put job creation pressure on contractors

A group of House members wants companies to estimate the number of jobs they would create when they win a new contract.

People

Former Rep. Steve Horn, IT management advocate, dies

Former Rep. Steve Horn, who chaired a subcommittee focused on government management and IT, helped agencies deal with cybersecurity and other IT management issues.

Digital Government

Former GSA procurement chief goes to the Hill again

Emily Murphy will be working on small-business contracting and workforce issues for a House committee.

Acquisition

How to add more zip to the regulatory process

When it comes to approving regulations, bureaucracy is not a bad thing, but it could be better, acquisition experts say.

Acquisition

GSA to change Alliant past-performance review policy

The General Services Administration hasn't reviewed contractors' performances on work done through the agency's major IT governmentwide contract, as required and they had planned, IG says.

People

DOD acquisition, spending reforms start to pay off, officials say

Army program offices have begun implementing new Defense Department budget and acquisition policies, according to program and IT officials speaking at the AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days conference.