Acquisition
FAR tweaked in time for fall buying
A small change in the Federal Acquisition Regulation’s language that makes GWAC purchases a little smoother could help out as fall buying season nears.
Digital Government
House NDAA includes prohibition on OPM merger
The move comes as the Office of Personnel Management is taking steps to integrate its IT operations with the General Services Administration.
People
Connolly looks to block OPM merger in NDAA
Rep. Gerry Connolly is taking his push to block the planned merger of OPM and GSA to the must-pass annual defense bill.
People
House Dems welcome watchdog probe of FBI building
The Department of Justice Inspector General is launching a probe into the decision to scuttle a longstanding plan to move FBI headquarters to a suburban location and allow commercial development on the current downtown site.
Acquisition
EIS vendors don't see rush to modernize
The government wants agencies to use the $50 billion, 10- year Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions telecom contract to support IT modernization but in the early stages most customers want to make sure the phones stay on.
Acquisition
GSA releases e-commerce solictiation
The e-commerce effort dubbed "Amazon for government" is getting closer to becoming reality with a draft solicitation released by the General Services Administration.
Modernization
EIS delayed by shaky transition contract
The contract to manage the move to the General Services Administration's big telecom vehicle had some big holes and likely contributed to delaying the transition, according to a new watchdog report.
Digital Government
Raskin: OPM-GSA merger 'likely illegal'
At a testy House Oversight hearing June 27, lawmakers from both parties heaped criticism on the Office of Personnel Management for what they're describing as a lack of responsiveness to their requests for documents in support of a plan to merge OPM into the General Services Administration.
People
House approves measure to block OPM furloughs
An appropriations bill passed in the House includes multiple provisions to prevent OPM and GSA from merging and blocks any reduction in force arising from a budget gap at the human resources agency.
People
Connolly amendment would block OPM layoffs
The chairman of the Government Operations subcommittee is looking to check an administration warning of layoffs at the Office of Personnel Management in the event that a merger with the General Services Administration can't move forward.
Acquisition
COMET hits the street
The General Services Administration issued its solicitation for the contract that will support Federal Acquisition Service IT.
Acquisition
Agencies ramp up use of challenge competitions
White House and General Services Administration are tracking crowdsourcing along with technology challenges as paths to innovation.
Acquisition
As GSA consolidates buying schedules, special item numbers are due for cuts
The General Services Administration's plan to unify procurement schedules includes a plan to rein in sprawl in special item numbers.
People
No merger, but a long to-do list for OPM from the House
House Appropriators want the Office of Personnel Management to improve on its core duties including retirement processing without support from a planned merger with the General Services Administration.
Acquisition
GSA pushes ahead with schedule consolidation
The General Services Administration wants to hear industry's ideas on how it should consolidate its buying schedules into a single format.
Acquisition
RPA, identity on tap for Centers of Excellence
The head of Technology Transformation Services wants the White House-backed Centers of Excellence program to accommodate emerging technology.
Digital Government
OPM-GSA merger scuttled in House approps bill
The Financial Services and General Government appropriation, which includes a pay raise for civilian feds, passed its subcommittee and will be voted on by the full committee.
Modernization
Procurement chiefs are watching the spread of RPA
RPA use across government "is exploding," a top procurement official said.
Modernization
Railroad agency inks EIS services order
An independent agency that oversees railroad workers' retirement benefits signed a long-term contract for IT and telecom services under EIS.
Digital Government