People

Letter: Readers weigh in on ending cost-plus contracting

Ending cost-plus contracting is not a silver bullet to contracting woes, but trained staff members can still help.

People

Letter: McCain off-base about cost-plus contracts

A reader writes that what can help is to "define the requirement and pay attention to the contractor's performance."

People

The Lectern: The 'core guiding principles' of the FAR

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People

GSA may grant waivers for Networx deadline

The agency will enforce the Sept. 30 deadline for fair opportunity decisions, but will consider requests for more time on a case by case basis.

Modernization

Report: DOD needs to require more RFID tags

An inspector general's report finds about 10 percent of contracts lack the required RFID clause.

People

House passes Deepwater reform bill

The Coast Guard would be prohibited from using a private contractor as a lead systems integrator for the Integrated Deepwater Program, except in special circumstances to continue current work until 2011.

Acquisition

McCain wants to end cost-plus contracting

In Friday's debate, McCain said ending that type of contract would help get a grip on agency spending.

People

Buzz of the Week: Unfinished business in Congress

Congress has its hands full with economic concerns, but a hitch in the E-Government Reauthorization Act might have a more immediate effect on agencies' business.

Modernization

GSA’s consolidation 2.0 project

Agency looks to a shared services model to eliminate costly redundancies in the procurement system.

Acquisition

Petrillo: New rules tighten task orders

Provisions of the 2008 Defense Authorization Act address concerns about task orders issued through umbrella contracts.

People

Going through the motions

The Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel made several recommendations about fixing the General Services Administration's schedules program during its Sept. 19 and 22 meetings.

People

Panel: Rethink services pricing

Critics: Nature of professional services makes it difficult to apply GSA’s price reduction clause.

People

GAO: DHS needs data on acquisition authority

The Homeland Security Department’s special acquisition authority appears to be working, but better data would help it assess that success, the Government Accountability Office says.

People

DHS seeks model telework demonstration program

The department’s chief administrative officer is seeking a consultant with experience in developing telework policies, guidelines and training to help workers do their jobs from remote locations.

People

FCW's The Week

Find links to articles in the Sept. 29, 2008, issue and related items.

People

$20M Northern Border tech project kept alive

A House subcommittee chairman has rejected a request to cancel a $20 million high-tech program at the border of the United States and Canada.

People

Panel wants larger DHS acquisition workforce

A House committee has proposed spending $6.7 million for new DHS staff members who would check high-risk contracts.

Acquisition

Panel: Agencies need GSA pricing primer

The General Services Administration needs to help agencies understand how to get the best price on purchases made through multiple award schedules contracts, according to an advisory panel.

People

SAIC gets NASA contract

An extension of a technology services contract will support Marshall Space Flight Center, officials say.

People

Army touts speedy tech development at conference

Quicker deployment of new equipment is the new buzz among Army leaders at the Army Team C4ISR 2008 Joint Symposium.