Cybersecurity
Deepwater acquisition sinks, but not without lessons
The Coast Guard has terminated its controversial Deepwater ship and boat replacement program after a decade.
Modernization
No need to rush the transition to the cloud
The Defense Authorization bill makes it even more important for federal acquisition officials to learn how to craft sound cloud procurements.
Acquisition
Don't celebrate withholding tax repeal just yet
While agencies aren't planning to hold back funds anymore, the government still seeks ways to collect delinquent taxes from contractors.
People
Government seeks input on federal mobility strategy
The government wants advice from feds and the public on speeding up the adoption of mobile technologies.
People
With OMB and OFPP heads gone, can the administration agenda advance?
Two top leaders of OMB and OFPP are stepping down within a month of each other. What's the impact?
Acquisition
Companies can challenge government data on their performance
The delay gives the government time to make system changes.
People
GAO: Agencies didn't consider risks with support services
Few officials considered risks when awarding contracts that closely supported inherently governmental functions.
People
GAO: OMB misses key areas needing oversight
OMB missed two key types of support services in recent oversight initiatives, GAO says.
People
GSA demands security plans from IT companies
Companies now must submit an IT security plan to GSA.
Cybersecurity
Beyond Deepwater: What the Coast Guard learned.
A difficult program could become a platform for better choices next time, with lessons that other agencies can also use.
Acquisition
Industry group argues against expanded conflict-of-interest rules
The Professional Services Council argues that agencies are already doing well at preventing and resolving problems.
Acquisition
New rule corrects contracting misunderstandings
New rules address time-and-materials contracts, require publication of contractors' work histories and attack abuses of interagency contracts.
Digital Government
Gordon: Focus on workforce, smarter buying
Dan Gordon, former OFPP administrator, offers insights on what still needs attention in procurement.
Acquisition
OMB wants small purchases going to small firms
The Small Business Jobs Act requires an analysis of small-business participation in governmentwide commercial purchase card micro-purchases.
Acquisition
OFPP wants agencies tracking details on service contracts
Officials want to have a way to check on the contractor-to-federal employee ratio.
Modernization
VA mulls moving telecomm to the cloud
The Veterans Affairs Department is asking for industry input on the feasibility of ditching its PBX in favor of cloud-based telephony.
Acquisition
GAO: GSA reports fuzzy numbers on strategic sourcing savings
Strategic sourcing contracts save money, but considerably less than GSA claims, GAO concludes.
Acquisition
Congress clarifies 'critical function' definition
The fiscal 2012 National Defense Authorization Act may provide a little more clarity to the blurry term of “critical function.”
Acquisition
Gordon optimistic GAO will remove interagency contracting from high-risk list
Gordon has met with GAO to talk about how OMB has addressed the issues that put interagency contracting onto the high-risk list in the first place.
People