Acquisition

Congress, Obama set boundaries for contractors

No one in Congress or the Obama administration is beating the drum for a new generation of acquisition reform, but a reform of sorts is under way nonetheless, and it might not be to the liking of contractors.

Acquisition

4 lessons in rapid acquisition learned from DOD's new ATVs

DOD's purchase of all-terrain vehicles reinforces lessons about buying quickly and offers insights for improving rapid acquisitions, experts say.

Acquisition

Administration clamps down on nonperforming contractors

The Obama administration has some new proposals designed to help agencies get hold of what they're paying to outside contractors, and help ensure that poor performers and passive performers don't get what they don't deserve.

Acquisition

Fredriksen to oversee FAS' strategic planning

Amanda Fredriksen is now the assistant commissioner for FAS' Office of Strategic Business Planning and Process Improvement.

People

Many purchase agreements lack competition, GAO says

Agencies awarded 60 percent of 336 blanket purchase agreements to a single vendor, GAO says.

Acquisition

DOD bill would open door to new buying process for IT

A defense task force has recommended the new acquisition process must be agile and capable of delivering IT systems in no more than 18 months.

People

Congress poised to kill DOD's pay-for-performance system

Labor unions have criticized the program for years.

Acquisition

Senate tries to put competition rules on earmark spending

Senate legislation would apply some of the rules for competition to spending under earmarks, but only for a single bill.

Acquisition

Agencies late on guidance for insourcing, GAO says

Officials said they are awaiting more guidelines from OMB

Digital Government

Government breaks small-business goals with stimulus funds

As of Oct. 2, the government overall has awarded 26 percent of the economic stimulus law's funds to contracts for small businesses, an estimated $4 billion.

Cybersecurity

Commerce neglects its IT security workforce: inspector general

The department’s management has not devoted enough resources to training its IT security workers as the threat of cyber attacks increase in number and sophistication, IG says.

People

White House announces Gordon nomination for OFPP job

Gordon has a reputation for candor and evenhandedness, according to procurement observers and his public record.

People

Likely OFPP nominee has history of standing firm

The White House has not formally announced Daniel Gordon’s nomination for the OFPP administrator job, but administration officials have faced Gordon already.

Acquisition

A sneak peek at likely OFPP administrator nominee's point of view

Daniel Gordon, the apparent choice for OFPP administrator, has revealed his likely approach and philosophy on procurement issues through his public statements.

People

State struggles to track contractor data: GAO

The data contractor personnel tracking system's information is so poor that GAO said it couldn't draw conclusions or recognize trends about contractor personnel numbers.

Acquisition

Senators weigh in on GSA contract award

Some senators have raised concerns about persistent problems with the quality of federal contracting data.

People

GSA and partners say: Put the 2.0 into Acquisition 101

The project's organizers want ideas on using collaboration and social media to make the federal acquisition process more transparent and participatory.

People

What kind of OFPP leader would Gordon be? Look at his track record

Judging by his history, GAO's Daniel Gordon will bring to the OFPP post a wealth of legal and procurement experience, as well as a reputation for candor and evenhandedness.

People

GAO lawyer to be Obama's pick for top procurement office

The White House has settled on the acting general counsel at the Government Accountability Office to run the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

Digital Government

Stop-gap funding measure allows more time for appropriations negotiations

The legislation has $4.65 billion for the operations of Congress, GAO, the Congressional Budget Office and other federal organizations.