Author Archive
Ideas
FAR overhaul: The challenges in tackling federal procurement’s 5,000-page beast
The General Services Administration's acting leader outlines a blueprint for how the Trump administration wants to streamline regulations, a move aimed at opening the market to more competition and "best-in-class" companies.
Acquisition
GSA tightens enforcement of minimum sales requirements for schedule holders
Trump Administration and DOGE revive revenue thresholds to cut administrative costs and remove poor performing schedule holders.
Acquisition
Google eyes security growth in planned $32B Wiz acquisition
The global tech giant undertakes its largest-ever purchase as cloud and artificial intelligence threats evolve.
Acquisition
Trump’s ‘pincer maneuver’ reshapes federal contracting landscape
Contractors are under more pressure than before to justify value and embrace innovation as the DOGE seeks radical efficiencies through cuts and process reforms.
Acquisition
VA targets 585 ‘non-mission critical’ contracts for elimination
The Veterans Affairs Department claims $900 million in savings and that the cuts will not impact health care, benefits or services.
People
Virginia governor pressed to support federal workers and contractors
Fairfax County's board of supervisors chairman says the Trump administration's proposed workforce reductions threaten Virginia's economy and wants Gov. Youngkin to take action.
Acquisition
DEI programs vanish across the GovCon landscape
Contractors are dropping diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as they review the risks of being seen as not compliant with the Trump executive order.
Digital Government
Musk's role as ‘special government employee’ raises ethics questions
The SpaceX founder and CEO's moves across federal agencies break with tradition and could result in legal action.
Acquisition
GSA procurement pause sparks confusion
A new memo halts all General Services Administration-funded contract awards, a move that raises questions about scope and legality as industry leaders look for clarity.
Acquisition
Contractors face greater scrutiny from anti-DEI executive orders
President Trump’s actions come with enforcement provisions that encourage employees to report on their companies.
Artificial Intelligence
Accenture Federal’s new CEO eyes AI-driven transformation during Trump 2.0
Ron Ash sees agencies as having opportunities ahead to modernize legacy systems and improve efficiency by harnessing the power of new tools like agentic artificial intelligence.
Featured eBooks
Acquisition
Groundswell's legal fight for $1B Army ERP contract moves to records access
Groundswell wants a former SAP executive to look at competition documents, but the winner Accenture Federal Services is pushing back.
Acquisition
Groundswell claims the Army wanted Accenture to win the $1B EBS-C competition
The company's lawsuit alleges the evaluation process was changed midstream to favor Accenture for the contract to consolidate several Army business and logistics systems.
Acquisition
Industry execs weigh potential impacts of presidential transition
A group of senior leaders at government contractors outline the challenges and opportunities they see in a second Trump term.
Acquisition
The knowns and unknowns of a second Trump administration
Some priorities such as cyber and artificial intelligence are likely not changing, but we will watch the transition for what else might impact government contractors.
Digital Government
Former federal tech leaders share transition wisdom ahead of 2024 election
Despite changing administrations, experts say technology priorities remain constant while emphasizing importance of communication and workforce development.
Acquisition
Groundswell challenges Army's award of business system consolidation contract
In its protest at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Groundswell is questioning how the Army stuck with long-time incumbent Accenture Federal Services for the project.
Breaking News
Cybersecurity
CMMC's final rule has now landed
Several other regulatory steps and Congress' 60-day period to review the defense industrial base's new cybersecurity standard still loom before it takes effect.
Acquisition
ODNI told to redo financial management contract
The Government Accountability Office looked at Guidehouse's protest against the award and found inconsistencies in how proposals were evaluated for this contract that supports the entire intelligence community.
Defense
DOD unveils proposed final rule for CMMC contracting
A phased rollout of the cybersecurity standard should begin in early 2025, with varying compliance levels and increased program office discretion.
