Acquisition

Industry to evaluate GSA's grasp on info protection services

The agency wants to put individual services, such as credit monitoring and independent risk analysis, into one contract.

Acquisition

Bush: Provisions in small-biz bill 'constitutionally suspect'

The legislation would allow agencies to confine competition for some contracts to women business owners in male-dominated industries, and it would raise the net worth business owners can have and still be eligible for the 8(a) program.

People

OMB adds to High Risk list

The agency credits better management oversight for the growing number of projects needing special attention.

People

House seeks WAN services to connect reps, districts

The contract is not set aside for small businesses, but the House urges them to enter a proposal.

Acquisition

Grassley: Sun controversy a sign of deeper contracting problems

GSA officials take issue with the senator's perspective, saying the now-expired contract with Sun was "not the example of contracting irregularities that some have hoped."

People

Contracting officers need training in critical areas, survey finds

The survey, conducted by OFPP, OPM and other agencies, also finds that many of the best-trained contracting officers are likely to retire in the next 10 years.

People

Next up for strategic sourcing: IT services

The administration's strategic-sourcing initiative will now include help-desk support, seat management and related services, OFPP's Denett said.

People

Denett: Proposed bills include "poison pills" for competitive sourcing

Provisions in several bills would make it difficult for federal employees and private companies to compete fairly for government work, said the administration's top procurement official.

People

Homeland security plan draws fire

Critics describe the Bush administration's updated strategy as vague and 'squishy.'

People

SBA looks beyond small businesses to modernize systems

An agency official said SBA is willing to listen to any vendor that can offer a solution for modernizing and managing its loan management and accounting systems.

Acquisition

IG warns against year-end spending frenzy at IRS

At IRS, hurried spending leads to wasteful errors

People

Meet Mr. Procurement Policy

Robert Burton sets directions for OFPP and steers governmentwide acquisition

People

FBI turns to small businesses for IT support

The agency is looking for contractors to design and support automated IT systems on its mainframes and computers.

People

Bush threatens to veto a bill that would strengthen IGs

President Bush threatens to veto a bill that would safeguard IGs' authority

Acquisition

Last-minute spending hurts IRS, IG says

As a result of the rush, the agency sometimes violates regulations, and contractors may have skipped steps in the procurement process, a new report states.

Digital Government

Davis proposes a new role for inspectors general

Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) offered an amendment that would empower inspectors general to expose redundant programs and report to Congress with legislative proposals on how to end the programs.

Acquisition

No pain, no gain on small-biz goals

The Census Bureau applies pressure to prime contractors via contract award fees.

People

Retiree bills face uncertain future

Getting retirees back on the job is viewed as a temporary solution to labor shortages.

People

IGs may have to hunt for redundant programs

An amendment to legislation the House passed would also require inspectors general to propose ways Congress can eliminate duplication.

People

Senate amendment aims to restrict competitive sourcing

Provisions in the Senate's Defense Authorization bill designed to restrict competition could lead to a veto.