Acquisition
SBA tries again to help women-owned businesses get contracts
The Small Business Administration today proposed a procurement set-aside rule that would give women business-owners more opportunities in federal contracting.
Acquisition
SBA proposes subtraction rule to contracting goals
Agencies must subtract contract awards from small-business award totals if, even after the award, SBA concludes the firm isn’t eligible to be considered small
Digital Government
Huge size of DHS contractor workforce leaves senators 'astonished'
Sens. Lieberman and Collins say the huge size of DHS's contractor workforce is 'unacceptable, untenable and unsustainable.'
Digital Government
Obama administration may give better-paying contractors an advantage
Obama administration officials are considering a policy that would give preference to contractors who pay their employees higher wages, over Republican opposition.
Acquisition
Are we wasting the talents of contracting staff? (Part 2)
Blogger Steve Kelman finds that not all government contracting hires feel as if their talent is being wasted.
Acquisition
House panel links acquisition reforms to people
After a year of hearings, the chairman of a House panel on Defense Department acquisition reforms says DOD must develop new regulations for hiring and building up a civilian acquisition workforce.
People
Franken amendment sparks debate about government's role in employee relations
Readers sound off on whether the government should withhold payment from companies that make employees sign arbitration clauses.
Cybersecurity
DHS officials reluctant to debar, suspend contractors, IG reports
DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner is accusing department acquisition officials of being "reluctant" to initiate debarment and suspension actions against contractors.
Acquisition
Senate bill takes aim at HUBZone fraud
The bill seeks to ensure that only eligible firms participate in the HUBZone program.
Acquisition
Army to insource core governmental functions, official says
The Army intends to insource 7,162 positions this fiscal year and 11,000 more jobs from fiscal 2011 to 2015, official says.
People
Are we wasting the talents of our new government contracting hires?
Blogger Steve Kelman was discouraged to hear how one agency is failing to leverage the skills of contractor staff.
Acquisition
GSA administrator promises innovative solutions, superior performance from her agency
The General Services Administration must know its clients, meet their needs through innovation and do it well, Martha Johnson, the new GSA administrator said in a speech after her swearing-in.
Acquisition
IBM to integrate federal acquisition databases
The contract is for merging nine databases to streamline the federal procurement process.
Acquisition
Government should take a cue from consumers
A startup called Groupon provides the federal government with a good model of how to leverage buying power, writes blogger Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
The rise of the 'critical function': A new way to think about acquisition
The critical function stole the importance of the inherently governmental function because the Obama administration has said it wants less outsourcing.
Cybersecurity
SBInet's caretaker shares frustrations about delays, snafus
Mark Borkowski is in the unenviable position of overseeing SBInet, the border protection system that is as noteworthy for its ambitious scope as it is for technical glitches and schedule delays.
Acquisition
Agencies should not fear talking to contractors
Columnist Steve Kelman writes that communication between government and industry is key to saving money and and preventing misunderstandings in contract language.
Acquisition
Contract management: Glass half empty or half full?
Where GAO finds problems with DOD contract management, blogger Steve Kelman finds reason for hope.
Acquisition
Senator: Military in Afghanistan has improved its contract oversight
The military has improved slightly regarding audits and contracting oversight in Afghanistan, a senator says.
Digital Government