In part 2 of the series we break down how the Government’s goals for Category Management- increasing savings, professionalizing the workforce, and increasing quality over quantity will likely play out for industry.
Source: Category Management Part 2: Pitfalls and Upswings | AOC Key Solutions, Inc.
Of the four major industry groups in Onvia’s State, Local and Education Procurement Snapshot for Q2 2016, the Business Services group saw a 1.6% rate of growth over the same quarter the previous year. This is the second largest rate of growth among the industry groups that were examined for the quarter.
Source: [Infographic] Q2 2016 Business Services Procurement Up 1.6% | Onvia
The Department of Defense just published a final rule in its FAR Supplement (DFARS) that affects the allowability of certain costs – costs related to counterfeit electronic parts. The new cost principle can be found in DFARS 231.205-71. The “dash 71 means there is no corresponding cost principle in the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations).
NAICS code appeals can be very powerful, as demonstrated by a recent NAICS code appeal in which the size standard changed from 500 employees to $15 million.
Source: NAICS Code Appeal Dramatically Alters Size Standard – SmallGovCon
There’s little expectation that Congress will pass a budget. Federal contractors have been calm to this point, but what happens if the stopgap measures are relied on for too long or the government shuts down?
Government procurement is a landscape that never stops changing. With rapid evolution in technology it’s common for agencies to put out bids and RFPs for complex services such as cyber security, a concept that wasn’t even on the radar of government buyers just a few years ago…until now.
Source: How Onvia’s Advanced Search Technology Helps Clients Easily Find Cyber Security Projects | Onvia
The Department of Defense (DOD) updated its guidance late last week on commercial item determinations and the determination of price reasonableness for commercial items. Although there is a current DFARS (DoD FAR Supplement) case making its way through the rule-making process (see DFARS Case 2016-D0006), the DoD wants to jump-start the process to improve consistency and timeliness.
Source: PNWC’s Government Contracting Update: More Prodding by DoD to Increase Use of Commercial Pricing
DISA may have to rework several elements of its Encore III solicitation but LPTA will remain a key component of the $17.5 billion IT services contract.
Source: DISA loses Encore III protests but LPTA survives — Washington Technology
DoD appointed 18 members to yet another advisory committee to study the acquisition system. But this one has a much more specific task.
Source: Pentagon appoints panel to scrub acquisition regulations
GAO explicitly rejected the claim that the agency shouldn’t have used LPTA, saying the decision was justified.
Source: GAO details rationale in ENCORE III bid protest, says LPTA wasn’t the problem – FederalNewsRadio.com