Acquisition
Small bites, greater expertise produce speedier acquisitions
Procurement experts say there are numerous steps DOD officials could take to increase the odds that acquisitions will deliver the expected results in a timely and cost-effective fashion.
Modernization
Officials: Acquisition community is Web 2.0 ready, but scared
Everything was in place to move forward with new technologies, but the employees are waiting for the leaders to go first, government officials and industry exerts say.
People
9 contracts that changed IT procurement
Most contracts come and go, but some change the procurement landscape and leave a legacy that will last for decades.
Acquisition
Vets could get edge on no-bid contracts at VA
A new bill would require the Veterans Affairs Department to give priority to veteran-owned small businesses when outsourcing work with no competition.
Acquisition
House passes spending bill with outsourcing provisions
Agencies would have to create an annual inventory of services they’ve outsourced to the private sector and review whether to return the work to government employees.
Acquisition
Administration, GAO clash in turf war
The Government Accountability Office has denied the Small Business Administration’s request to reconsider recent bid protest decisions that give priority to HUBZone businesses. This might lead to a turf fight.
Acquisition
Senators probe Alaska set-aside program
A Senate subcommittee says agencies are using ANCs to award contracts quickly and avoid competition.
Acquisition
Report: Alaska Native contracting program delivers little benefit to communities
Four Alaska Native Corporations were among the top 100 recipients of contract awards in 2008 and six companies made Washington Technology’s list of the top 100 prime contractors in 2009.
Acquisition
Audit agency reaffirms earlier ruling against HUBZone preference
SBA and OMB contended GAO overreached its authority in ruling that HUBZone businesses should get priority over 8(a) small businesses and service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.
Acquisition
Coalition stumps for Alaska Native set-asides as hearing looms
Native8(a)works launched its effort to tell Congress about what SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program does for the United States’ indigenous people.
Cybersecurity
IG: SBInet has too many contractors
SBInet's heavy reliance on contractors increases the risk of losing control of that program.
People
Congress tries to improve defense acquisition
A defense task force said the acquisition process is too cumbersome and slow to keep up with the fast-pace evolution of information technology systems.
People
DOD seeks to balance outsourcing, in-house expertise
The Defense Department needs systems engineers who have a deep understanding of the IT systems in their charge, although they don’t need to actually write the software lines of code, an official said.
Acquisition
Spending panel wants inventory of service contracts
The House Appropriations Committee wants an inventory of services contracts and for agencies to consider bringing that work back in-house.
Acquisition
VA's Acquisition Academy gets excellence award
The academy's Internship School that trains the next generation of acquisition employees gets award for its approach to teaching.
Acquisition
Defense bill: Contractors would feel the hurt if feds are injured
If a contractor is found at fault for causing injury to a government employee, DOD must prohibit any award fee.
People
GSA expands on O'Hare's GWACs comments
In a recent interview with Federal Computer Week's acquisition editor, Matthew Weigelt, Ed O'Hare, assistant commissioner of the Office of Integrated Technology Services at GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, clarifies and expands upon his comments made during a panel discussion at the Washington Technology Top 100 Conference.
Digital Government
GSA recasts statements on the end of the GWAC era
GSA has been trying to tamp down concerns about a possible merger of two of its major programs, denying that a senior agency official had intended to give that impression in remarks he made at a conference last month. Despite the agency's efforts, however, some experts say blending the governmentwide acquisition contract program and the GSA schedules would be a good idea.
Acquisition
Sharing of past-performance data now mandatory
A revised FAR rule requires agencies to use a standard database to share contractors' performance information with one another.
Digital Government
GAO: Agencies may be losing money on award fees
The Office of Federal Procurement Policy issued guidance in 2007 on awarding contractors award fees that would save money, but many agencies haven't instilled the guidance, auditors say.
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