Acquisition
Procurement contests pooh-poohed by an unlikely source
Steve Kelman is disappointed in an attack on federal procurement competitions from a source he never would have expected.
Cybersecurity
OMB hunts for gaps in keeping out fake products
The Obama administration's anti-counterfeit working group is looking for gaps in legal authority and regulation that may undermine how officials can check on the quality of products the government buys.
Cybersecurity
DOD moves to speed cyber acquisition
DOD is embarking on an effort to increase the speed of acquiring cyberspace capabilities and increase the influence of end users on tech choices.
Digital Government
DHS, GAO disagree on details of acquisition planning
The Homeland Department said collecting data to decide when to begin planning for a major procurement is a waste of time.
Acquisition
How agencies can cut contracting costs
As agencies tighten their belts, contracting is ripe for cost savings, writes columnist Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
The hidden cost of strained government/industry relations
Despite efforts to foster dialogue, the relationship between government and industry seems to be on a downward spiral, writes consultant Jaime Gracia.
Acquisition
Congressman questions agencies on small-business advocates' authority
Rep. Mulvaney, chairman of a contracting subcommittee, wants to know why small-business advocate office officials don’t have access to top officials.
People
Federal acquisition training: Change is afoot
Federal Acquisition Institute Director Donna Jenkins discusses her vision of a governmentwide team that provides top-notch acquisition workforce training.
People
Senators urge Obama to lead on green IT efforts
Agencies have improved their use of green IT, but no one can be sure how much because there are no real standards for success.
Acquisition
Competition in new IT contract may take old path
GSA squeezed 599 small businesses into four categories of business, but the orders still will go to a few aggressive companies and may even cause headaches for agencies.
Acquisition
VA continues to pay ineligible contractors, audit finds
Serious deficiencies in contracting at the Veterans Affairs Department are allowing ineligible contractors to work and get paid, audits find.
Cybersecurity
DHS pushed to tighten IT acquisition policies
GAO uncovers weaknesses in DHS' method for independently assessing complex and costly IT acquisitions.
People
White House names accountability board members
President Obama chooses watchdogs in government to lead his board.
Acquisition
Possible default scares contractors
The ongoing debt-ceiling debate that threatens to put the government into default is as unnerving for contractors as it is for feds.
Acquisition
Senators, SBA dispute accuracy of small-business credit
Senators question whether small-business contracting goals are an "empty achievement."
People
VHA flunks medical school contract management, IG says
The Veterans Health Administration has problems with implementing a 2006 directive to improve its contracting with affiliated medical schools and teaching hospitals, according to a new report.
Acquisition
Senate approves measures against charge-card abuses
The bill is based largely on the GAO's recommendations to prevent recurring waste, fraud, and abuse of government credit charges.
Acquisition
DOD wants tougher rules on single-bid competitions
Defense Department officials seek to tighten rules for work that gets only one bid.
People
Insourcing vs. outsourcing: The pendulum swings again
Whichever way the pendulum swings, the A-76 process is still a mess, FCW readers say.
People