Acquisition
How to think about new policy proposals – feedback on my feedback
Steve Kelman responds to criticism with some ideas on the most productive ways to think about policy proposals.
People
CBO predicts defense cost overruns
The DOD disputes a prediction that it will overspend its budget over the next five years, but calls for Congress to allow it more freedom to take cost-cutting measures.
Acquisition
How to make acquisition part of the solution
New OFPP Administrator Joe Jordan talks about making the most of the government's buying power and how to provide cutting-edge solutions for agencies while still maintaining oversight.
Acquisition
Was the GSA scandal really scandalous?
Columnist Steve Kelman wonders whether agencies might be justified in spending money on lavish conferences.
Acquisition
For DOD, trust may be the key to cost savings
Unraveling a bureaucracy built on suspicion could be part of the cure for DOD's ills, study suggests.
Acquisition
Leveraging buying power: A lesson from the private sector
A purchasing group in a family of companies shows the government how it's done.
Acquisition
Agencies told to ensure subcontractors get prompt payments
OMB is asking agencies to report on their progress at speeding up payments.
Acquisition
Prompt payments may become contract selection factor
The Obama administration uses federal contracts to get money to small subcontractors faster.
Acquisition
Suspension, debarment could turn more punitive under proposal
The FAR says that suspension and debarment are to be used only to protect the government, but the Labor Department is considering using them to penalize companies for disregarding Labor rules.
Acquisition
8 best bets for contractors to survive sequestration
As sequestration looms on the horizon, here are some ways government contractors can best prepare.
People
Obama's accountability board lays out streamlining strategy
The board aims to keep track of the government's money by linking systems together.
Acquisition
A new way to use past performance in contracting
Steve Kelman offers an innovation for past-performance data.
People
Treasury to set up Internet Payment Platform
Department officials wants to make payment processing easier for federal employees and federal contractors.
Acquisition
New rule could force inexperienced contractors onto agency projects
A proposed rule change intended to protect private-sector jobs could affect agency work, group fears.
People
White House, committee spar over acquisition workforce training funds
The Obama administration and a House committee are fighting over workforce development fund.
People
DISA awards $578M contract to company with history of fraud
DISA's recent contract award to Red River includes services similar those the company was once fined for failing to provide, but a key executive involved in the charges is no longer with the firm.
Acquisition
Agencies fail, again, to meet small-business contracting goals
Small businesses received $91.5 billion in prime contracts last year, falling short of the percentage supposed to go to them.
Acquisition
How to make a win/win for agencies and small business
The new OFPP has an opportunity to improve small-business contracting and help agencies meet their missions at the same time, writes Steve Kelman.
Digital Government
A faster, better, cheaper way to do high-tech procurement?
Some experts question whether RFP-EZ is the right way to go about fixing the government’s IT procurement problems.
People