People
Letter: IBM case: Many questions not addressed and not answered
There was a protest. The protest was never settled — it was made todisappear through the magic of the suspension that was hanging over anhonorable company.
People
Letter: Contracting officers can face conflict of interests
it is not uncommon, that contracting officers are unduly influenced by those who stand to benefit politically by recommending one course of action instead of another.
Acquisition
Letter: Basic information in acquisitions goes a long way
Contract specialists need to be encouraged to makethemselves operationally knowledgeable about what they are procuring so that the method of acquisition and the subsequent management of the contract are complementary to the requirement.
People
IBM case: A question of due process
Agencies were unaware of the suspension while investigators followed procedures.
People
Letter: Taxpayers lose under many agency-oriented contracts
The fed should be unifying, consolidating, and integrating its sprawling acquisition enterprise to save resources.
Acquisition
Letter: Vets GWAC could be used more
With well-qualified teams of companies bound together to meet IT mission requirements, one may have to look beyond his or her agency's specific mission needs to meet socioeconomic mandates.
Modernization
FDA seeks regular mark downs
The agency wants to receive monthly volume discounts as part of an IT services contract.
People
Contractors are here to stay
One scholar argues that government must rely on contractors or reduce its mission.
People
Kelman: The not-so-obvious lesson
A tale of procurement woe shows that contracting officials need to be trusted business advisers.
People
Officials request agencies' strategic-sourcing reports
Acquisition officials seek numbers to gain support for the buying strategy.
Acquisition
Letter: Vendor turmoil is not unique to U.S.
A reader points out that Canada is dealing with its own contracting issues.
People
Letter: Lifting IBM’s suspension was the right move
One reader has worked with or competed against IBM for 30-plus years, and he believes the company is rigorous about following the rules.
People
Letter: IBM sales figure is misleading
A reader says the company’s sales to the government exceed $1.5 billion when you consider indirect sales through other contractors.
People
Letter: Is IBM off the hook?
A reader says the government’s reversal of its ban on IBM shows a failure to adjudicate.
Modernization
FOSE: Abuzz about info strategies
Here are some highlights from the FOSE Exposition and Conference that brought federal officials and company executives together for three days of networking and education.
People
IBM is back, but what happened?
EPA pulls the computer giant out of limbo after the parties quickly reach an agreement.
Acquisition