Acquisition

Industry pushes to reform procurement

A private-sector commission is developing a report for Congress to outline recommended federal procurement strategies.

Acquisition

Services pose acquisition challenge

It's hard to package professional services into high-volume orders, yet procurement experts are exploring the question of what strategic sourcing for services would look like.

Modernization

Going agile? Get your IT managers ready.

Experts say the agile development approach pays off, but puts new pressure on project managers.

Digital Government

The bright side of obsolescence

COBOL is old, limited and stagnant. But it has one thing going for it.

People

New acquisition chief brings customer perspective

Thomas Sharpe, who is taking the corner office at GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, has been on the other side of the fence for years.

People

Issa turns again to IT reforms

Resuming an effort he started last year, Darrell Issa is pushing legislation centered on improvements to technology acquisition.

People

Federal Acquisition Service gets a new leader

Tom Sharpe, former senior procurement executive at the Treasury Department, will take the reins of GSA's acqusition operation.

Acquisition

NDAA expands opportunities for women

Change in contract threshold allows agencies to consider more contracts for set-aside.

People

GSA gets a renewed mission

Dan Tangherlini has set a clear course for the procurement agency, but will he remain at the top to lead?

Digital Government

Old procurement tools gain new luster

Reverse auctions, strategic sourcing and other procurement techniques are expected to find renewed enthusiasm in 2013.

Digital Government

VA to build better small-business verification system

Department works to improve internal controls and steer work to veteran-owned firms.

People

Obituary: Joe Caggiano

Joe Caggiano, a 23-year veteran of the federal contracting marketplace, has died at age 48.

Acquisition

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.

Digital Government

Union complaint: DOD memo biased toward contractors

As DOD braces for budget cuts, a union leader worries that guidance from the top favors contractors over department employees.

Digital Government

A push for less paperwork

Senator calls for elimination of nearly 400 no-longer-necessary reports.

People

Obama signs Do Not Pay legislation

New law calls for expanded use of existing databases to guard against fraud and error.

Digital Government

SBA takes oversight of mentor-protege programs

The Defense Department alone is exempt from a new law that puts a new spotlight on agency-run programs intended to aid small businesses.

Digital Government

Second VA official resigns in scandal

Official who had oversight of the planning and execution of the two human resources conferences in 2011 has stepped down.

Modernization

FedRAMP ramps up

GSA's program to pre-certify cloud providers has awarded only one certification so far. It won't remain alone for long, experts predict.

Digital Government

Uncertainties may keep whistleblowers quiet

Observers wonder whether Obama's reservations about protections for employees who expose wrongdoing will have a dampening effect.