Acquisition
Schedules panel examines ‘the clause’
The controversial price reduction clause is at the center of debate about competition in contracting.
Acquisition
Performance contracts fall short
Audits point to a need for additional training to develop contracting officers’ knowledge.
Acquisition
DISA awards 14 large biz Encore II contracts
Encore II contractors will provide network-centric related services in such areas as command and control, intelligence and mission support.
Acquisition
NIH seeks input on CIO-SP2i follow-on
The National Institutes of Health is preparing to combine three existing governmentwide acquisition contracts into one.
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