Acquisition
New SBA deputy administrator confirmed by Senate
Marie Collins Johns will be the second-ranking official at the Small Business Administration, with responsibilities for management, policy development and program supervision.
Acquisition
DOD bills put focus on acquisition, insourcing
In their respective defense authorization bills, the House and Senate are attempting to end quotas and limit cost-comparison factors while strengthening acquisition processes.
People
When is a position inherently governmental?
One-size-fits-all rules and definitions that direct all agencies on what jobs are inherently governmental functions don’t work, experts say.
People
House passes bill to improve program performance
The bill would strengthen the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 and would put parts of an executive order on performance management into law.
People
EPA has three-pronged strategy for correcting procurement woes
A new contract writing system, developing the agency's acquisition workforce and finding savings are their top priorities, EPA officials say. They also acknowledge problems with procurement data.
People
Federal procurement officials not ready for Web 2.0, survey says
Federal procurement professionals estimate they can save $158 billion by using more efficient processes, but most are not ready for Web 2.0 technologies, according to a new survey.
People
Inherently governmental: Still a trick question
Response to the Obama administration's insourcing agenda finds readers all over the political map.
People
Acquisition 2.0: How much industry collaboration is too much?
The debates about the merits of Acquisition 2.0 will be familiar to anyone who has been following the twists and turns of procurement reform during the past decade or two.
People
Acquisition training: The battle lines are drawn
A blog post about an innovative approach to workforce mentoring stirred up some bitter feelings between acquisition workers old and new.
Acquisition
Good news: Progress on strategic sourcing
The General Services Administration’s new strategic sourcing agreements for office supplies makes good business sense, writes blogger Steve Kelman.
Digital Government
DOD ethics officers warn of interest conflicts from insourcing
Officials will have to monitor potential conflicts closely as new feds work near their old jobs, ethics officers say.
Acquisition
GSA client support centers earn good marks from auditors
Three audits found the client support centers in GSA's Southeast Sunbelt, Mid-Atlantic and National Capital regions compliant with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as well as the Defense Department's procurement requirements.
Digital Government
‘Inherently governmental’ remains a sticky wicket
The Office of Federal Procurement Policy is getting closer to adopting a final rule that contains a clearer definition of what constitutes an “inherently governmental” function—i.e., one that should be done only by federal employees. But judging from the comments filed on the proposed rule, no one is completely thrilled.
People
Let the VA's Acquisition Academy serve other agencies!
Blogger Steve Kelman believes the VA's acquisition program offers an innovative approach not available in other training programs.
People
Transparency in contracting remains opaque
Transparency is all the rage in government circles these days. But there might be a limit to its usefulness to the public and ability to facilitate greater accountability in key government services, such as federal contracting.
Acquisition
VA's Frye sees flexibility in the Federal Acquisition Regulation
Although many people in the acquisition community view the Federal Acquisition Regulation as a confining regulatory book, VA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics Jan Frye takes a different approach.
Acquisition
Groups want clarity for insourcing jobs
An IT industry group said the Office of Federal Procurement Policy must clearly distinguish between the functions that only a federal employee should perform and the IT solutions the private sector offers to support agencies.
People
Bill would require small-business training for contracting officers
A Senate measure would require a training and certification program to teach the acquisition workforce about small business set-aside programs.
Acquisition
VA said to fall behind on verifying veteran-owned businesses
Through April, the VA had verified only 14 percent of companies in Vetbiz.gov, a database of companies able to get set-aside contracts.
Acquisition
House approves legislation to limit insourcing quotas
Bill would limit insourcing quotas and set hiring preferences.
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