Procurement Reform

  • pen and contract

    Contracting rules at cross-purposes

    Agencies are trying to cope with competing acquisition priorities stemming from rules and financial constraints, causing some experts to remember an earlier era of procurement before major reforms. 10/24/2012

  • image of worried man

    A toxic work environment threatens acquisition personnel gains

    Agencies have made progress in hiring talented acquisition professionals, but unreasonable scrutiny from all sides is encouraging risk avoidance and stifling innovation, according to the Procurement Round Table. 10/24/2012

  • Joe Jordan

    Memo on CAOs addresses weaknesses

    Despite years of effort, agencies are still not using the chief acquisition officer role well, according to an audit. The head of the government's procurement policy agency seeks to change that. 10/22/2012

  • hand holding money

    Executive compensation debate returns

    A group of organizations, including labor unions and government watchdog groups, are asking Congress to reduce the cap on salary compensation that agencies pay to contractors. 10/19/2012

  • Rep. Darrell Issa

    Issa preps IT reform legislation

    The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is expected to introduce legislation in January that would likely enhance the CIO role, address strategic sourcing and improve acquisition workforce training. 10/19/2012

  • Alan Balutis

    Where are the bold ideas for remaking government?

    In an era of formidable challenges, America needs formidable, and novel, approaches to address them. 10/18/2012

  • Dan Tangherlini at microphone

    GSA's innovation aspirations

    GSA's acting administrator would like to see the agency develop a DARPA-like 'heart and soul of innovation,' but experts warn that it would require a high tolerance for risk and failure. 10/18/2012

  • sequestration flowchart courtesy of Bipartisan Policy Center

    Shadow of sequestration hovers over IT market forecast

    The Defense Department, beset by flat spending and budget cuts, leads the way in dampening industry group's market outlook. 10/17/2012

  • Kathy Conrad of GSA

    Cloud security: A closer look at FedRAMP

    A status check a few months after launch shows that GSA's FedRAMP is gathering momentum. But will it be enough to overcome the security concerns that slow government's move to cloud computing? 10/16/2012

  • Air Force logo

    Air Force seeks to redefine cyberspace

    Changing understanding and procurement reform could be the keys to winning cyber wars, Air Force commanders say. 10/12/2012

  • steve kelman

    Good directions for strategic sourcing

    Steve Kelman assesses recommendations in a recent GAO report on strategic sourcing. 10/12/2012

  • John Gingrich, VA

    Agencies take action as GAO knocks strategic sourcing effort

    After an audit found that agencies have made very little use of strategic sourcing, DOD and other agencies point to some reforms, pledge to make more. 10/05/2012