People

OFPP tells agencies: Be prepared

New emergency acquisitions guide gives contracting officers the rules to follow.

People

Contract appeals boards merge into one

The new Civilian Board of Contract Appeals eliminates boards at GSA and the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs.

People

Report: Congress needs to take charge of DOD procurement policy

Current policy requires DOD to fund a weapon or piece of equipment in the year in which the item is bought, but DOD has been buying items using other approaches.

People

Agencies turn to technology for customer service

With funding shortages affecting the customer service workforce, Web tools are helping fill in the gaps.

Acquisition

SBA targets small-biz mergers

A new rule requires a small business that merges with or is acquired by another company to immediately recertify its size.

People

DOD time-and-materials contracts raise red flag for GAO

DOD will look into GAO's concern that it uses those contracts so often they have become the default method of contracting.

People

Got a complaint? File it online

The Office of Special Counsel wants to make filing complaints as easy as filing taxes.

Acquisition

GSA cuts 197 small businesses from GWAC

The agency opted not to exercise the companies' option years because they did not meet sales requirements in the first three years of the 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services.

People

House committee: Is GSA overcharging customers?

The House Appropriations Committee is questioning surplus funds the Bush administration wants to use for e-government initiatives.

Acquisition

Troublesome contracting trends persist under Bush, report finds

Procurement spending and the number of noncompetitive contracts occur more frequently, according to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Acquisition

GSA: Oversight will not be outsourced

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee says a GSA proposal would give contract oversight to private companies.

Acquisition

OFPP to issue interagency contracting guide

The office wants to have uniformity and standardization within interagency agreements, said Robert Burton, deputy OFPP administrator.

People

GSA names Coleman acting CIO

She replaces Mike Carleton, who is going to work at the Health and Human Services Department.

Cybersecurity

Encryption BPAs are open to all

Contracts awarded under GSA’s SmartBuy signal better intergovernmental relations.

Acquisition

OFPP issues guide for emergency acquisitions

The guide describes emergency planning strategies and offers tips on contracting in an emergency.

People

GovWorks finds silver lining in DOD limits

Circumstances have forced the assisted-acquisition services center to review its procedures and increase its oversight.

People

Moran: GSA is contracting's short-term fix

He plans to recommend that language be added to the Defense appropriations bill to guide the Defense Department back to GSA.

People

OFPP recognizes acquisition accomplishments

The office presented four Shine awards for achievements in government contracting.

People

Denett: Experienced tech representatives better for contracts

The OFPP administrator wants agencies to better train contracting officers’ technical representatives and include them early in contract planning.

Acquisition

DHS has too many buying chiefs

Lawmakers blame agency’s organization for the contracting problems it faces.