Policy


empty conference room

Expect fewer feds on 2013 event circuit

Survey suggests tight budgets, travel restrictions will cut down on conference attendance.

Dan Tangherlini GSA image

GSA chief plans 10 strategic sourcing efforts by 2015

Agency plans to target products and services that all agencies use, such as wireless devices and tools, for bulk-buying technique.

Leon Panetta -- DOD photo

Leaders direct DOD to buckle down on spending

Because the recent spending deal did not permanently solve the nation's fiscal crisis, the Defense Department is now planning measures to limit its budget risk.

Steve Schmidt, Flexara Software

How DOD can make sense of its software

A little-noticed provision in the Defense Authorization Act could bring big savings through license optimization, writes Flexera's Stephen Schmidt.

man_on_dollar

The return of the fiscal cliff

The deal lawmakers reached to avert the 'fiscal cliff' only delayed the sequestration threat. The next deadline is not far away, and it's tied to another contentious issue that compounds the risk.

Cloud computing icon

Cloud brokers: Simplifying complexity

Buying cloud services can be tricky, with complicated problems and unexpected puzzles. Cloud brokers create a buffer between buyer and seller to make it easier. Serving as intermediaries between vendors and customers, they can provide a single point of contact and a way to develop customized solutions tailored to unique environments.

Bid protests: Useful tool or abusive practice?

Bid protests may be a necessary way for companies to stand up for their interests, but they also can be a tactic to game the system, according to some analysts.

Steve Kelman

A winning idea for innovation

Contests offer an attractive alternative to traditional procurements in some situations, bringing innovative solutions to agencies to attack unusual problems, writes Steve Kelman.

capitol dome and bills

How bad is our debt problem, anyway?

How the federal deficit grew so big, why it is actually shrinking and whether a deal can bring it under control.

NASA headquarters

Protest slows NASA open source project

NASA's plans to move to a content management system with open source architecture would govern 140 websites and 1,600 assets and applications.

GSA logo

GSA: Expand fee program

The Industrial Funding Fee could support programs beyond the Multiple Award Schedules, GSA officials say.

Jeffrey Zients

Fiscal cliff aversion -- cost or savings?

Does the deal to sidestep the fiscal cliff save money or cost? The answer depends on how you count.