Acquisition

EPA hit for delays on evaluating contractors

EPA's contracting officers were roughly four months late turning in their contractor performance evaluations, a new report says.

Acquisition

Outsourcing has gone too far, official says

The government is outsourcing an unprecedented amount of work, and the Obama administration wants more work in federal employees' hands, an official says.

Acquisition

Obama moves on small-business contracting

The president has created task forces to focus on small-business contracting problems and opportunities for companies owned by service-disabled veterans.

Acquisition

GSA's top financial officer named governmentwide policy office chief

GSA's CFO becomes associate administrator for the agency's Office of Governmentwide Policy.

Acquisition

HUBZone program could shrink soon

Officials plan to finalize several revisions to SBA's HUBZone program as early as June, a report states.

Acquisition

GAO: Acquisition workforce plans need better definition of workforce

Federal procurement policy officials took a step toward building up the federal acquisition workforce through agencies’ development plans, although the plans have their faults, according to a new report.

People

OFPP chief gets the message: Time to rebuild the acquisition workforce

OFPP Administrator Daniel Gordon spoke recently with Senior Editor Matthew Weigelt about his strategies for building a skilled, motivated acquisition workforce.

Acquisition

DOD proposes new conflict of interest rules

Defense officials proposed new definitions for various types of conflicts of interest.

People

SBA leader vows to crack down on small-business fraud

SBA plans to become more aggressive in suspending and debarring companies from receiving federal contracts, the agency's administrator tells a House committee.

People

Obama forms private-sector board to improve agency operations

A new advisory board will give Obama advice on improving agency operations, particularly in customer service, IT and productivity

People

GSA chief of staff job is no longer open

The General Services Administration has picked its next chief of staff from within its ranks.

People

New board will advise on improving government operations

President Obama has established an advisory board to help his administration find the best ways to improve government operations.

Modernization

Obama names his pick for U.S. public printer

The public printer leads the Government Printing Office, which has moved to its Federal Digital System to send out information.

Modernization

GSA honors top federal achievers at IRMCO

GSA bestowed its annual awards for federal agency programs that improve government operations and increase transparency.

Acquisition

Good job, acquisition workforce; here's a raise

A new bill would use incentives and career development to build up the acquisition workforce.

Acquisition

Recovery Act work strains SBA acquisition staff

SBA's IG raises concerns about the agency's contracting shop shrinking even as the work is growing.

Acquisition

House panel proposes more defense contracting reforms

The IMPROVE Acquisition Act would improve competition, financial management and workforce issues and save $135 billion over the next five years. backers say.

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.

Cybersecurity

Agencies struggle with securing computers, GAO reports

Senators act to get agencies to secure their computer systems against cyberattacks and hackers.

Acquisition

SBA now will give grades, not colors

SBA has revised its annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard format to help clarify grades.