Acquisition

Small-biz set-asides may harm firms, expert says

The plethora of small business programs has 'disenfranchised' many small businesses, yet the government is considering creating a new one.

Acquisition

GSA puts Advantage out for review

GSA upgraded its GSA Advantage! systems early in 2011, and now wants to make sure it's working at its best

Acquisition

Mark Day, CTO at HUD, heads to GSA

GSA brings in new director to oversee governmentwide IT contracts and strategic solutions operations.

Acquisition

HUBZone workforce model suggested for veterans

Companies with veterans on the payroll could get contracting benefits under new proposal

Acquisition

Senators want GAO probe of veteran-owned business program

Senate emphasize the critical need to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the Veterans Affairs Department's program to validate vet-owned small business.

Acquisition

Conflict-of-interest rules could expand

A final rule is set to take effect in December, but its scope could still be expanded.

Acquisition

Kempf: OFPP's legacy is collaboration

Gordon got agency officials to use existing contracts across government, while also sharing their resources, services and contracts.

Acquisition

Alaska Native Corp. program: The case for and against

Critics and supporters disagree about the benefits and disadvantages of the sole-source, set-aside program.

Acquisition

Agencies told to set aside more orders for small firms

Officials want small companies to get more businesses in the growing world of task and delivery orders since that’s where the money has increasingly been going

People

Short tenures at OFPP hurt acquisition initiatives, experts say

Dan Gordon, soon to leave the agency, set the bar high for the next appointee

People

Air Force punishes contractors for shoddy work

Three IT firms suspended while officials try to fix problems.

People

OFPP's Gordon to leave government for the classroom

Dan Gordon, OFPP administrator, is stepping down and heading to George Washington University.

Acquisition

Bidding for savings: Reverse auctions gain new favor

Reverse auctions, always a tool agencies can use, get a boost from a new report

Acquisition

How the $16 muffin story harms the discourse

The story of conference muffins costing $16 each, a recently iconic mental image of government waste, is false -- and Steve Kelman explains why spreading such stories is harmful.

Digital Government

Story of $16 muffin, true or not, makes a splash

A report about the Justice Department overpaying for food was not quite accurate, but it rang true with some readers.

Acquisition

A new push to rethink the small-biz contracting payoff

Where's the return on investment if agencies invest in and foster small businesses that are bought or fail once they outgrow the small-business program?

Acquisition

Agencies, companies wait in limbo about tax repeal

Officials throughout the government—including state and local governments—and contracting companies are having to spend money to modify their systems for a law that might be repealed before it takes effect.

Acquisition

Other cartels that might alarm the former federal CIO

Conspiracy-seekers might not have to look very far to find cause for concern.

Acquisition

Obama: Tax-delinquent measure would complicate contracting

A bill would prohibit an agency from awarding a contract worth more than $5 million unless the company is up to date on its taxes.

Acquisition

When it comes to outsourcing decisions, everyone angles to be 'critical'

The 'intentionally vague' definition of 'critical function' could apply to almost all agency work, says Robert Burton, deputy OFPP administrator during the George W. Bush administration.