Acquisition
Costs jumped on VA's Wi-Fi contract, IG says
The Veterans Affairs Department rushed through procuring Wi-Fi at 236 VA facilities, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General.
Acquisition
How to make reverse auctions even better
Steve Kelman advises FedBid on how to enhance the value of its reverse auction service.
Acquisition
Bill would put job creation pressure on contractors
A group of House members wants companies to estimate the number of jobs they would create when they win a new contract.
Acquisition
How to add more zip to the regulatory process
When it comes to approving regulations, bureaucracy is not a bad thing, but it could be better, acquisition experts say.
Acquisition
GSA to change Alliant past-performance review policy
The General Services Administration hasn't reviewed contractors' performances on work done through the agency's major IT governmentwide contract, as required and they had planned, IG says.
Acquisition
SBA starts contracting program for women
Contracting officers can now set aside contracts for woman-owned small businesses, under an interim rule issued today to amend regulations.
Acquisition
Spread this around: Fresh ideas from the front lines of contracting
Steve Kelman and a group of contracting official present a number of ideas that could be used elsewhere in the government.
Acquisition
DOD's contractor database could lead to the wrong results
The Defense Department's past-performance database sometimes is not a reliable guide to which contractors are best prepared to handle a job, a wartime commission has found.
Acquisition
Share-in-savings contracting coming back?
Blogger Steve Kelman says the current budget environment gives agencies all the more reason to consider share-in-savings procurements.
Acquisition
Officials change tone on insourcing
Officials say they never intended for massive insourcing, and the administration has not let it happen.
Acquisition
New rules change procurement process
New procurement rules put limitations on cost-reimbursement, multiple-award and 8(a) contracts.
Acquisition
Too much training still leaves interns inexperienced
Managers are dealing with highly certified employees who still need supervision and intervention from more experienced contracting officers, officials say.
Acquisition
Procurement oversight: A case of friendly fire?
A well-meaning lawmaker might be reading too much into government-industry interactions, writes blogger John Klossner.
Acquisition
Government should adopt instant feedback features
Columnist Steve Kelman suggests that the government should implement technology to allow quick and easy feedback.
Acquisition
SBA changes anti-suspension, debarment culture, IG says
Some SBA officials believe enforcement foils their agency's mission.
Acquisition
OFPP's Gordon shy about opening meeting results
Experts want more information from the meetings assessing agencies' oversight to protect the government from abusive contractors.
Acquisition
GSA names new acquisition chief
New GSA official, working in an earlier position, helped draft the president's memo on reducing the government's footprint on the environment.
Acquisition