Acquisition
Defense bill dilutes agencies' business judgment, experts say
The government has invested money in training and rebuilding an acquisition workforce that has strong business prowess, but proposed rules could hinder the employees' business decisions.
Acquisition
Senators back off call for automatic contractor suspensions
Proposals to require agencies to automatically suspend companies accused of wrongdoing have been softened in latest version of a bill.
Acquisition
GSA job security could increase with schedules revisions
Terminating contracts might seem like a job killer, but some experts predict the opposite effect.
Acquisition
Is GSA stuck with proprietary numbering system?
Dun & Bradstreet provides unique identifiers used to designate businesses in contract coding, and GSA would like more freedom than it now has.
Acquisition
Could penalties for frivolous protests protect agencies?
Companies that develop a habit of filing protests without merit should pay for it, expert recommends.
Acquisition
Think small business when buying small things
Administration puts more emphasis on increasing contracts with small businesses.
Acquisition
Tom Hewitt: The IT market master
By starting the information service and consulting firm Federal Sources, Tom Hewitt made it his business to help industry better meet government's needs.
Acquisition
Jack Brooks: Titan of IT procurement
Former Rep. Jack Brooks (D-Texas) dominated IT procurement policy and oversight for decades.
Acquisition
Steve Kelman: A passion for procurement reform
The former OFPP administrator led the bipartisan effort during the Clinton administration to change the way the government acquired goods and services.
Acquisition
6 steps for agencies to aid small businesses
OFPP's new leader gives agency officials six steps to increase contracts for businesses through multiple-award contracts.
Acquisition
GSA to close some contracts to new vendors
The GSA Schedules program is about to get some new limitations, official says.
Acquisition
How political nominees can win over a Senate committee
One political nominee learned two key items that are essential to a successful confirmation hearing.
Acquisition
OFPP attempts to put acquisition on pace with technological change
Administration takes another stab at reshaping procurement to keep up with rapidly changing technology.
Acquisition
Biden to become benchmark for executive pay?
Currently, the Executive Compensation Benchmark is based on the median amount provided to senior executives in large U.S. corporations. One Senate commmittee says it's growing too much.
Acquisition
Senate committee encourages reverse auctions
The committee says reverse auctions stimulate “aggressive competition” among vendors and lead to lower prices.
Acquisition
IG probes apparently not enough to prevent bonuses at GSA
A senator takes her probe of employee bonuses governmentwide after learning that GSA paid more than $1 million to employees under investigation.
Acquisition
Tracking the IT budget's upward curve
Apart from a couple of minor dips, the federal IT budget has been growing steadily for the past 25 years.
Acquisition
Contract audits may save millions for GSA, IG says
GSA's Inspector General has conducted pre-award audits on dozens of contracts and identified potential savings in the hundreds of millions.
Acquisition
VA failed to set aside work for vets, GAO finds
A bid protest charged that VA officials didn’t comply with the law and regulations when awarding an emergency notification services contract.
Acquisition