Acquisition
The simple path to better procurement
John Klossner sketches what it takes for acquisition officers to get to a win.
Acquisition
Reverse auctions grow up
Steve Kelman contends that the recent GAO report shows the practice has truly arrived
Acquisition
Trade groups seek relief from China-sourcing rules
A coalition of industry groups is asking lawmakers to keep supply-chain restrictions out of upcoming funding bills.
Acquisition
Experts debate value of reverse auctions
Addressing fees and the need for oversight and guidelines would help avoid what one lawmaker called the trap of 'making it up as we go along.'
Acquisition
Sebelius orders probe of website contracting
The HHS secretary is also calling for the creation of a chief risk officer position at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services tasked with reducing risks associated with major policy initiatives.
Acquisition
FITARA axed from defense bill
A revised version of the Pentagon policy bill could be considered in the House this week, but IT acquisition reform will have to wait until at least 2014.
Acquisition
GAO: Take account of reverse-auction growth
GAO recommends issuing governmentwide guidance aimed at helping agencies maximize competition and savings when using reverse auctions.
Acquisition
Davie: GSA saved a billion on 2013 IT buys
The assistant commissioner for Integrated Technology Services claimed $1.35 billion in savings through innovation and reduced duplication of effort.
Acquisition
Financial management and freedom of choice
An industry spokesman argues that an official preference for federal shared service providers will hurt the agencies hoping to consolidate.
Acquisition
Better contracting through multisourcing
The approach can help reduce risk and improve oversight at a time when agencies are being asked to do more with less.
Acquisition
Bump in executive contractor compensation leaves everyone unhappy
OFPP announced a new cap of $952,308, but experts say further changes are possible.
Acquisition
DOD issues new acquisition guidelines
The Pentagon's acquisition system remains largely unchanged, but the new guidance is designed to improve the critical early phases of the acquisition cycle.
Acquisition
New ITIC lobbyist says FITARA needs more work
In a blog post, Erica McCann suggested the bill’s acquisition provisions become part of a broader Hill discussion on IT procurement.
Acquisition
5 factors to consider when selecting an open-source vendor
Open source solutions are at a key inflection point. That means huge opportunities for agencies, but also some important concerns.
Acquisition
IT management reform: It is time for new legislation
Legislation alone will not fix federal IT management, Richard Spires argues, but there are fundamental problems that a new statute can help address.
Acquisition
IT procurement and HealthCare.gov: Searching for scapegoats?
There are plenty of serious problems with HealthCare.gov, Steve Kelman argues, but the procurement system itself does not appear to be one of them.
Acquisition
GSA looks to trim Microsoft product costs
The General Services Administration says a new blanket purchase agreement could save the agencies 15-20 percent annually on commercial software.
Acquisition
FITARA proposed as part of Senate defense package
Move could fast-track IT procurement reform, as the House added its version to the defense authorization bill in June.
Acquisition
Bolden: Crew transport project will drive innovation
The next phase of the Commercial Crew Program will "spur American ingenuity," NASA chief says.
Acquisition