Acquisition

How a few words could change small-business set-aside picture

The Obama administration is trying to change some wording in the acquisition rules make it easier to set aside R&D solicitations.

Acquisition

Contract considerations to include treatment of other companies

The Obama administration wants procurement officials to consider how companies treat their business partners as a factor in making contract decisions.

Cybersecurity

VA fails to communicate clearly; who gets a better grade?

A new report finds few agencies have made progress in meeting the requirements of the 2010 Plain Writing Act.

Modernization

7 challenges to 'cloud first'

Agencies are well on their way to the cloud but better planning is needed to fully realize the cloud-first policy.

Acquisition

Agencies fail, again, to meet small-business contracting goals

Small businesses received $91.5 billion in prime contracts last year, falling short of the percentage supposed to go to them.

Acquisition

Think small business when buying small things

Administration puts more emphasis on increasing contracts with small businesses.

Acquisition

6 steps for agencies to aid small businesses

OFPP's new leader gives agency officials six steps to increase contracts for businesses through multiple-award contracts.

People

Zients: Why streamlining government makes sense

Senior official at OMB lays out why reorganization authority is "common sense and good management."

People

Small Business Administration names new CIO

Eric Won was previously deputy CIO at the Small Business Administration.

Acquisition

OFPP and the dangers of politicizing procurement

Experts say the next OFPP administrator must not bring campaign rhetoric to the job.

People

House committee scolds SBA on modernization delays

SBA is modernizing its outdated loan management and accounting system, which was built in the 1970s on COBOL.

Acquisition

New bills aim to strengthen small-biz contracting

The House Small Business Committee continues to propose legislation aimed at helping small firms do federal business.

Acquisition

Small business advocate raises reverse auction concerns

SBA's Office of Advocacy wants OFPP to clearly tell the acquisition workforce to follow regulations on set-asides.

Digital Government

Obama pushes agency consolidation plan for savings

Plan to merge six agencies would eliminate jobs, save costs

Digital Government

SBA's Joe Jordan heads to OMB as special assistant

Top official's departure spins off new procurement role at OMB.

People

OFPP, SBA team up on procurement data

The two agencies are aligning reporting efforts in order to provide more accurate data.

Acquisition

SBA could make small-biz credit easier to get

SBA proposes changes that would help agencies meet subcontracting goals when interagency contracts are in style.

Acquisition

Lawmaker wants to scrap small-business classification system

Sen. Claire McCaskill wants to end a long-used system that is "complex,""clumsy" and "nuts."

Acquisition

Senators hope to help small companies

The Senate wants to toughen penalties for large companies masquerading as small businesses.

Acquisition

Obama wants small businesses paid in 15 days

The faster payments will give small businesses more confidence in cash flow, officials say.