Wanted: Procurement ideas

Office of Federal Procurement Policy

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy is looking for new ideas about

contracting methods.

According to an Oct. 24 notice in the Federal Register, OFPP is calling

for ideas, recommendations and lessons learned on incentives — not based

on fees — that are used in industry, nonprofit organizations and state and

local governments.

The agency hopes those methods will help the federal government "fundamentally

restructure our contractual relationships to accommodate improving our

business arrangements," wrote Kenneth Oscar, OFPP's acting deputy administrator.

Acquisition reform measures in place since 1994 have significantly changed

the way the government acquires products and services, providing acquisition

officials with increased flexibility and program officials with faster turnaround

on requirements.

But studies by OFPP, the Army and industry have found that agencies

frequently aren't using several innovative forms of contracting available.

Additionally, inappropriate incentives often are used, according to OFPP.

OFPP is considering holding a public meeting to discuss these and other

issues. Comments are due to the agency by Dec. 26.