Cybersecurity
Contract rules need IT security standards, official says
A defense official has recommended changing the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require contractors' IT products to meet minimum security standards.
Acquisition
SBA now will give grades, not colors
SBA has revised its annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard format to help clarify grades.
Acquisition
Clarity is key to avoiding icy government-industry relationship
Daniel Gordon, administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, is trying to clarify the guidelines for government contractors. For industry executives, getting his attention is as important as hearing what he has to say.
Acquisition
New media means smarter contracting for GSA
Developments in the field of collective intelligence could juice the General Services Administration's acquisition business, according to new GSA Administrator Martha Johnson.
Digital Government
Keep your contracting staff in the loop
Program managers do themselves a favor when they include contracting experts early in the process, writes Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
NIH prepares to fight for contract authority
NIH plans to meet with OFPP about its GWAC authority, but NIH's acquisition director expresses confidence that it will keep its governmentwide contract.
Digital Government
OFPP advances insourcing agenda
The Obama administration takes its turn at defining 'inherently governmental,' with hopes of preventing contractors from having undue influence on government operations.
People
Acquisition training: The classroom vs. the real world
FCW readers agree with a recent blog post that questioned the quality of acquisition training available to federal employees.
Acquisition
DOD gets authority to limit contract competition
Defense Department officials today adopted a rule that grants DOD authority to limit competition for contracts when buying to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Digital Government
Cultural changes at DOD a major factor in defense acquisition reform
Industry officials see the need for change in DOD ideas of weapons systems, contracting practices.
Acquisition
Obama warns contractors: Report ARRA money or else
The president says contractors failing to report information must be held accountable by all agencies to the fullest extent of the law.
Cybersecurity
GSA must secure online construction data, audit finds
GSA's Public Building Service needs to lock down sensitive building project data when posting it in a shared online intranet, IG says.
Acquisition
GSA gets good marks for ordering guide
GSA created guidance for, and offers training on, ordering from blanket purchase agreements.
Digital Government
NIH contract in GSA's crosshairs brings in $2.1 billion a year
If the General Services Administration is successful in convincing the Office of Federal Procurement Policy that NIH should lose its governmentwide contract authority, the agency could pick up $1 billion in new business.
Acquisition
Advocacy group sues government over contract data
A small-business group is concerned the loss of historical contracting data could prevent future investigations.
Acquisition
GSA could be trying to kill rival agency contract
GSA urged procurement officials to deny the NIH its GWAC authority, raising an old question.
Digital Government
GSA small-business advocate retires
Mary Parks has been a strong leader in directing GSA to support small businesses in new avenues.
Acquisition
Is GSA gunning for other GWACs?
Blogger Steve Kelman argues that the federal government is better off having GSA compete with other agencies for acquisition business.
Acquisition
Administration hopes for ripple effect from outsourcing policy
The administration wants a workforce that can carry out the government's operations and reduce the reliance on contractors.
Acquisition