An agency ordinarily need not perform calculations to determine if an offeror’s proposal meets solicitation requirements, according to a GAO bid protest
Source: GAO: Agency Need Not Perform Calculations For Offeror – SmallGovCon
Jennifer Schaus offers her views on how contractors can land federal sales as federal buys accelerate as the end of the federal fiscal year approaches.
Source: Jennifer Schaus: Competition heats up as federal fiscal year draws to a close (with related video)
Federal contracting and business experts say more communication and rebuilt acquisition workforce is needed to ensure government is getting the best deals.
Source: Increased contract competition contributes to good government
Innovators in 18F are also confronting resistance from internal groups within the General Services Administration.
Source: Former GSA Head: Internal Procurement Groups Were Against 18F from the Start
Yesterday we discussed DOE’s decision to withdraw its proposed rules for ensuring contractor business systems are capable of providing timely, reliable information for the management of contracts and programs by contractors and the Department (see Department of Energy Withdraws its Proposed “Business System” Rules). The Department of Defense (DoD) has had similar rules in place through its FAR Supplement (DFARS) for a number of years and although the expectation by now was that DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) or DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) would have reviewed or audited those systems for compliance with the standards laid out in the rules, not much has happened. A previous proposal that would require contractors to hire outside auditors to conduct those compliance reviews under the eyes and direction of DCAA were previously withdrawn as unworkable.
Training is key for the federal procurement workforce, says Becky Fillinger of Federal Publications Seminars. Her firm is hosting a webinar on selling strategies at the end of the federal fiscal year.
Gartner’s updated IT spending forecast for 2016 is slightly improved, but the research firm warned that it doesn’t account for the recent UK vote to leave the European Union. The Brexit vote will dampen IT spending worldwide.
Source: Gartner: Brexit Will Hurt IT Spending Worldwide – InformationWeek
Join us at the Government Contractors Association monthly meeting for July. This networking session will focus on business owners learning how to create winning cost estimation strategies that win contracts. There are many techniques out there, but learn from our experienced team on how you can create a strategy that gets results! Cost: Non-members: $10.00 Members: FREE Interested in joining GCA?
Source: Pricing Strategies that Win Bids Tickets, Tue, Jul 12, 2016 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
2016 is shaping up to be the year federal IT modernization moves beyond abstract discussion to practical implementation. Agencies are operationalizing the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA). The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) $3 billion IT Modernization Fund, if approved by Congress, should help galvanize agencies to better prioritize IT needs.
Source: Federal IT Modernization Efforts Gain Traction – Deloitte CIO – WSJ
Five IT companies accused of underpaying GSA to claim small business contracts agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement.
Source: Contractors settle for $5.8M on bogus small business status
