Acquisition
GSA: Expand fee program
The Industrial Funding Fee could support programs beyond the Multiple Award Schedules, GSA officials say.
Digital Government
Obama objects to whistleblower protections in defense bill
President fears that measures to protect employees who expose government wrongdoing could undermine his authority to manage executive branch officials.
People
Departing House takes one last shot at federal pay
A bill that the House passed would freeze pay for federal employees and members of Congress, but the 112th Congress ended without Senate action.
Digital Government
Defense bill ready for Obama
The National Defense Authorization Act, with $641 billion in spending, has passed both houses of Congress.
People
Bill provides means to punish execs for misconduct
A bill that the House passed would provide a mechanism to suspend Senior Executive Service members without pay for misconduct or malfeasance.
Acquisition
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.
Acquisition
Rule would speed payments for small contractors
An Obama administration proposal would make an accelerated payments provision part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Acquisition
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.
People
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.
Digital Government
Four finalists left in SAVE Award competition
The winner of the SAVE Award gets to present his or her idea to the president in the Oval Office, while even ideas that don't win the top honors can become part of the president's budget proposal.
Acquisition
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.
Acquisition
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.
Acquisition
GSA awards IT commodities purchase agreement
BPA goes to 43 small businesses, provides tablet PCs, mobile products and other IT equipment.
Acquisition
Army vows to get aggressive in pursuit of purchasing discounts
Auditors have found that Army officials are neglecting a requirement to seek discounts and price reductions in contracts.
Acquisition
Contracting's seismic shift?
Within the bureaucratic language of a recent OMB memo lies a provision that could dramatically alter federal procurement.
Acquisition
Should the small-biz contracting goal be raised?
Agencies can't hit the target that exists now, making a proposed increase of questionable value at best, according to some small-business advocates.
Acquisition
OMB renews mandatory-use fears
The new strategic sourcing memo urges another look at enforcing mandatory use of strategic sourcing, bringing new criticism from industry.
Digital Government
Interior revamps business center
Restructured business center expected to add to efficiency, officials say.
Acquisition
OMB touts contract reductions, amplifies strategic sourcing push
Agencies have decreased their reliance on contractors, OMB says. Meanwhile, a new memo creates greater accountability for strategic sourcing.
Modernization
What the end of Apps.gov teaches
GSA's experiment with Apps.gov has ended, but the experience may open a door to future success.
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