Acquisition

Gordon optimistic GAO will remove interagency contracting from high-risk list

Gordon has met with GAO to talk about how OMB has addressed the issues that put interagency contracting onto the high-risk list in the first place.

Acquisition

Air Force divisions pledge to fight fraud, contractor misconduct

Air Force officials intend to formalize relations between the organizations and have them planning and training together.

Acquisition

Reverse auctions: A bid for budget-conscious business

Reverse auctions, which have paid off in spades at State, could help other agencies looking to deal with tight IT budgets.

Acquisition

Lawmakers block contractor disclosure of political support

The Obama administration considered requiring political contribution information in contract bids, a proposal that raised a lot of concern in Congress and industry.

Acquisition

Veterans Health Admin procurement reforms not working, IG says

The Veterans Health Administration created a new oversight process for its contracting in 2009, but it is not being carried out consistently, according to a new report.

Acquisition

Government expected to hire more small businesses

Prediction: The near future will see more small business contracting and brand-new governmentwide contracts.

Acquisition

DOD memo: Outsourcing ban requires vigilance

A memo reminds defense agencies about current moratorium on public-private competition.

Acquisition

Acquisition cost savings: Geospatial agency to try new model

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency plans to launch a Managed Data Center Services Pilot to make IT buying easier.

Acquisition

Collaboration needed now more than ever

Industry and government need each other if they're to manage the new world of budget tightening.

Acquisition

Acquisition official: 'Don't chill the dialogue' with industry

Contracting officers have cover from acquisition policies and rules to open the lines of communication.

Acquisition

How common biases can mess with spending decisions

Three biases often make it difficult for leaders to reach a consensus, writes Decision Lens' Kevin Connor.

Acquisition

Steve Kelman, broken record: More on contracting cost savings

Former procurement chief recommends some familiar concepts to save money on contracts.

Acquisition

Obama signs withholding tax repeal

The passage ends a three-year effort by industry groups to get rid of a tax that was never actually enacted.

Acquisition

A new idea for encouraging vendors to help agencies save money

Steve Kelman proposes that agencies offer extra points to bidders who suggest money-saving ways to change draft solicitations.

Acquisition

GAO challenges administration on contract savings

The Office of Management and Budget's estimated savings on contracting may be overstated, GAO says.

Acquisition

Putting clarity into contracting

How one agency addresses misunderstandings between agencies and contractors.

Acquisition

Next OFPP chief's priorities: Building, buying, rebalancing

Government buying needs the expertise of acquisition workers, official says.

Acquisition

Withholding tax repeal heads to president

Tax repeal on contractors sails through Congress and on to the White House.

Acquisition

Gordon: Senate provision would force insourcing

The Senate has proposed taking away from contractors all the jobs that are closely associated with inherently governmental functions.

Acquisition

How much discretion in punishing contractors should agencies have?

Some lawmakers want to make suspension or debarment of misbehaving contractors mandatory, but the outgoing OFPP head disagrees with the strategy.