Contracts
DOD excels at prototyping. Getting to production is another story.
Acquisition reform may be the bridge, but the paths from prototype to funded program remains unclear.
HHS issues call for AI to support its ‘power users’
The Department of Health and Human Services is ready to test what advanced artificial intelligence capabilities can best serve its staff that rely on more specialized AI features.
DHS finalizes first Cumulus cloud contract with AWS
The Homeland Security Department is working on contracts with the other three major hyperscalers and a separate, multiple-award competition for support services.
Oracle wins $396M federal HR systems overhaul contract
The Office of Personnel Management is using the contract to consolidate more than 100 systems into a single platform covering 2 million federal employees.
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GSA is preparing an AI-specific acquisition reform rule
The updated rule is expected in the next couple weeks and will set a preference for fixed-price models, making the GSA a “more predictable business partner” to original equipment manufacturers.
OneGov’s discounted deals are ‘a first step’ to longer-term contracts, officials say
The General Services Administration has asked some companies to re-up their temporary price cuts while it continues to talk with them about becoming direct contractors on its Multiple Award Schedule.
Air Force taps Salesforce’s Army contract for personnel modernization work
The enterprise license agreement is part of a $5.6 billion vehicle and will bring agentic artificial intelligence to workforce and logistics management.
Exclusive
Trump admin floats policy language limiting contractor say on agency uses of technology
Ongoing drafts of policy documents feature language that would limit the private sector’s ability to dictate how their artificial intelligence models are used in government missions, according to sources familiar with their development.
Commerce goes direct to hyperscalers with $4.1B cloud pact
The department cites artificial intelligence, weather modeling and scale as reasons to narrow the competition.
OMB seeks details from agencies on their commercial buying, or lack thereof
A new White House budget office memo also outlines what agencies have to do if they want to go down the non-commercial contracting route and who has the approval power over it.
Gruenbaum heading for the exit from GSA
Laura Stanton will lead the General Services Administration’s acquisition shop on an interim basis.
Agencies are missing a step to share information on better AI acquisition, GAO finds
A new oversight report that sampled four federal agencies underscored several hindrances to effective AI adoption, including a lack of policies for collecting lessons learned in the technology’s acquisition.
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Vendors struggle to navigate the Anthropic ban’s fallout
Tech contractors say ambiguity in how Anthropic’s products are able to be used by companies working with the federal government is leaving “traps” they may unknowingly fall into.
New contract for background investigations raises concerns about scale and risk
COMMENTARY | As the government expands continuous vetting and increases workload demands, questions are emerging about whether the acquisition approach can support the mission without delays or performance issues.
Army, Anduril enter into new $20B enterprise agreement
Much like with Palantir, the Army is entering into this pact with the idea of establishing pre-negotiated prices so it can buy goods and services on an as-needed basis.
NASA seeks extension of SEWP V to Sept. 30
The agency says it needs more time to finish evaluations for the IT product recompete and resolve protests at the Government Accountability Office.
SEWP’s long-tenured leader is calling it a career
Before leaving government, Joanne Woytek is giving herself enough time to see the popular IT contract's next iteration through protests and into launch.
GSA proposes sweeping changes to Multiple Award Schedule program, including new AI terms and conditions
Refresh 31 would make transactional data reporting mandatory and introduce new AI contract terms.
SBA boots 628 more companies from 8(a) program
Total termination actions now represent 18% of the small business contracting program as the Trump administration's crackdown continues.
Air Force Research Lab seeks more national approach for innovation
Lab officials give a first glimpse at how they want to expand on a pilot program for turning dual-use technology into operational capability.
