Acquisition
Kelman: Beating retail prices
People might be surprised to learn that the prices government pays for commercial items are less.
Acquisition
Editorial: GSA’s good schedule move
Despite its warts, GSA's schedules contracts are the best tool agencies have in accessing a broad and competitive marketplace.
Acquisition
Lawmaker: Score cards don't work without penalties
House member says score cards need penalties to go with the grades. Meanwhile, agencies say publicly announcing failings makes them work harder for good grades.
Acquisition
GSA pricing policy could get the boot
A panel will advise GSA on the relevance of the decades-old price reduction clause.
Acquisition
Editorial: EPA/IBM case: We still have questions
The Environmental Protection Agency and IBM were wise to settle the suspension, but questions remain about the details.
Acquisition
Committee approves bill on contractor fraud
House panel amends bill to allow regulators more time to fix a loophole.
Acquisition
Letter: Basic information in acquisitions goes a long way
Contract specialists need to be encouraged to makethemselves operationally knowledgeable about what they are procuring so that the method of acquisition and the subsequent management of the contract are complementary to the requirement.
Acquisition
Letter: Vets GWAC could be used more
With well-qualified teams of companies bound together to meet IT mission requirements, one may have to look beyond his or her agency's specific mission needs to meet socioeconomic mandates.
Acquisition
Letter: Vendor turmoil is not unique to U.S.
A reader points out that Canada is dealing with its own contracting issues.
Acquisition
EPA lifts suspension of IBM
IBM, under contract suspension by EPA, agrees to concessions.
Acquisition
Debate over contractors continues
Lawmakers foresee no easy solutions to concerns about acquisition outsourcing
Acquisition
GSA memo clarifies terms of IBM suspension
Agencies using GSA contracts cannot place any orders with IBM or evaluate any pending proposals from the company, according to an internal document.
Acquisition
Letter: More to be concerned about with contract specialists
Blended workforce issues don't disappear by shifting procurement activities to another contracting organization, but the degree of separation makes it easier to shift blame for problems.
Acquisition
Letter: Use a simple rule: Go for the lowest price
The simplest way for contracting activities to avoid protests is to use the "lowest price technically acceptable" source selection process.
Acquisition
GSA re-examines Alliant Small Business awards
The agency asks 62 small businesses on the governmentwide acquisition contract to extend their offers until Oct. 28.
Acquisition
EPA suspends IBM from new governmentwide work
The company is surprised by the move, and an investigation is under way.
Acquisition
Alliant faces months-long setback
GSA officials opt to re-evaluate all 62 bids following ruling on successful protests.
Acquisition