Policy


Sign warning of fiscal cliff

At the brink: Washington prepares for cliff

As Congressional negotiations once again break down, OMB sends agencies more information on the ramifications of coming budget cuts.

DCGS-A operations

Army greenlights controversial intelligence system

The Army's Distributed Common Ground System came under scrutiny after leaked memos deemed it 'not suitable' and 'not survivable.'

U.S. Capitol at Night

Congress calls for clarity on decisions to insource

Defense authorization bill includes new requirements for OMB and agencies to determine whether work should be performed in-housed or contracted to small businesses.

pen and check

Rule would speed payments for small contractors

An Obama administration proposal would make an accelerated payments provision part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

US Capitol

8 acquisition provisions in the defense bill

Congress is attempting some procurement reform in the National Defense Authorization Act. We look at the most important measures.

strategy word cloud

How to lessen sequestration's impact

Making strategic cuts could provide a softer landing from the fiscal cliff, but government's old habits suggest it will be difficult to accomplish.

Cover of report "balancing act"

Concerns over acquisition prove to be long-lived

Agency leaders identify the same concerns today as years ago, suggesting that proposed solutions so far have not worked.

Mary Davie, GSA

Agencies adjust contracting approach for coming fiscal clampdown

As contractors brace for the impact of budget cuts, agencies also must recalibrate their expectations.

Magnifying glass

Agencies falter on FOIA

A watchdog group's audit of federal agencies reveals that a startling number have not followed directives issued by President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to update Freedom of Information Act policies.

Shelley Metzenbaum

Performance.gov gets new look

Performance.gov is getting overhauled to reflect the Office of Management and Budget's renewed efforts to make government more efficient, transparent and focus on goals and results.

GSA logo

GSA awards IT commodities purchase agreement

BPA goes to 43 small businesses, provides tablet PCs, mobile products and other IT equipment.

pen and contract

Agencies skirted requirement to justify sole-source awards, GAO finds

The fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act requires agencies to submit written justification for awarding sole-source contracts worth more than $20 million to 8(a) firms, but the rule necessary to implement the law was slow in coming.