People

GSA considers outsourcing schedule contract application system

The Federal Acquisition Service wants to replace the input program with one that can quickly process more than 14 million schedule items even though the data may come in multiple forms.

People

Army: Bolstering acquisition workforce could take 10 years

It will take three years to hire 1,400 employees and even more time to properly train them and get support from service leaders, Lt. Gen. Ross Thompson said.

People

OFPP: Stop giving incentive awards for average contractor work

Administrator Paul Denett said agencies sometimes pay contractors extra even when they fail to meet objectives.

People

GSA issues laptops to kick off teleworking plan

Concerns about employees using unsecured personal computers to access agency networks led to the step, GSA's CIO said.

People

Group to GSA: Be a 'trusted adviser,' 'thought leader'

A Northern Virginia Technology Council’s working group told officials to win back customer confidence by speeding processes and using cutting-edge technology.

People

Securing info systems could cost $28 billion, budget office says

FISMA requirements would consume $27.9 billion of the $29 billion that the E-Government Reauthorization Act would cost the government between 2008 and 2012.

People

OFPP: Better training gets results

Denett’s latest memo seeks to create more professional acquisition training

Acquisition

OFPP: Watch use of brand names in proposals

Agencies are failing to specify why a brand is necessary, which can limit competition, according to a memo from Paul Denett.

People

OFPP: Take our survey...please

The agency wants to gauge how agencies are using reverse auctions, especially online.

Digital Government

2007 Rising Star: Mark Goodge

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People

Agencies overlook disability rule

Few agency IT solicitations include mandatory Section 508 specifications

People

IG: DOD fails on competition

The department made awards with improper competition and didn't justify why it went outside DOD for acquisition services, a new report states.

People

OFPP issues policy requiring training for support workers

It also standardizes the skills contracting officer technical representatives must have.

People

DOD program manager: Know Army needs before bidding

Gary Winkler, program executive officer for DOD's Enterprise Information Systems, is working to reduce the number of contract protests.

People

Procurement chief chides IGs

Paul Denett speaks out against auditors who he says may be overstepping their bounds

People

GSA's 'financial house in order,' Doan says

The agency's commercial schedules program showed growth of 2.2 percent, a high for GSA.

People

Senate bill would increase IG oversight

But the Inspector General Reform Act would also give them more authority and ensure their funding is not reduced.

People

Survey focuses on green purchases

It asks if agencies buy with the environment in mind.

People

GAO: Top-level support makes for better buys

DOD plans to start new practices that give program managers more incentives and support as the department tries to improve its buying practices.

People

Congress endorses GSA's assisted services

Relying on GSA for non-defense buys will let DOD specialists focus on military buys