Acquisition
DOD gets ball rolling on insourcing
To save money and reduce the influence of defense contractors, Congress has handed the Defense Department $5 billion and a mandate to insource inherently governmental jobs.
People
Insourcing talk reignites debate about cost of government services
Acquisition officials wrestle with how to calculate overhead costs in public/private comparisons.
Acquisition
Workforce balance boomerangs toward insourcing
The Obama administration has set in motion a set of guidelines and initiatives that figure to undo many Bush administration outsourcing efforts. But OMB officials want agencies to insource jobs based on strategic plans, not just to fulfill administration ideals.
People
'Inherently governmental' defies quick definition
Former OFPP Administrator Allan Burman describes his effort to define the term in 1992.
Acquisition
GSA veteran Kempf becomes deputy FAS commissioner
Steve Kempf's 18 years in the Federal Acquisition Service give him the experience with and understanding of the program's customers, GSA officials say.
Acquisition
Procurement reform fever to die down in 2010
The contracting memo influenced much of the procurement policy guidance in 2009, but experts say its effects will be subtle this year.
Acquisition
GSA chief of staff Germain steps aside
Danielle Germain, chief of staff at the General Services Administration since June, is leaving due to the time it's taken to get a permanent administrator in place.
People
Interagency acquisition office offers cloud-based order monitoring
Acquisition Services Directorate launches the Electronic Servicing Environment as a secure way for clients to monitor in real-time AQD’s handling of their projects.
Digital Government
Army kicks off consolidated buying season
The Army will open its semiannual consolidated buying program for desktop and notebook computers on Jan. 11, officials said today.
Acquisition
Senate bill would expand access to GSA schedules for states
States and local governments may get access to the General Services Administration’s schedules program so they can get ready for an oncoming disaster, according to a new bill.
Cybersecurity
DHS eyes science and technology research
The Homeland Security Department's Science and Technology Directorate is interested in funding technology research to bolster border, cargo, maritime and cybersecurity.
Digital Government
Part 3: Data is key to transition to Networx and beyond
Data collection is at the heart of GSA's efforts to move from FTS 2001 to Networx as well as laying the foundation for future transitions, says Karl Krumbholz.
People
OMB claims $19B in contractor savings
Twenty-four federal agencies have identified $19 billion in savings on contracts for fiscal 2010—which puts the White House on track to meet a goal of $40 billion in savings by fiscal 2011, according to the Office of Management Budget.
People
Senators push for acquisition workforce training
Two new bills would set up a federal acquisition management fellows program and strengthen the civilian training institute.
Acquisition
GSA awards SmartBUY contracts for geospatial tools
A new purchase award through the GSA’s SmartBUY program will give federal, state and local government agencies access to a suite of geospatial software tools.
People
House panel told of abuses in VA set-aside program
Veterans Affairs Department officials failed to punish business owners who lied to them to get a contract set aside for service-disabled veterans.
People
Highway officials gave contractor too much, IG says
An IG found that officials focused first on congressional interests and minimized the contractor's financial problems to avoid disrupting the program.
Digital Government
Business on FTS 2001 grows despite GSA's push for Networx
GSA is pushing hard to get agencies to use Networx, but so far business on FTS 2001 continues to grow.
People
Congress seeks insourcing through cataloging contracts
A spending bill headed for passage would require inventories of services contracts to show agencies’ reliance on the private sector and how agencies could save money by insourcing.
Cybersecurity