The deadline is looming for contractors to comply with new requirements from the Defense Security Service governing how contractors use and interact with classified networks. Here are four critical things you need to know.
The Air Force is still struggling to shorten its contract award times as it begins a big modernization push.
Source: Air Force still has work to do on acquisition scheduling – FederalNewsRadio.com
The Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces rule suffered a setback as the Eastern District of Texas placed a preliminary injunction on it.
Source: Texas court places temporary halt on Fair Pay rule – FederalNewsRadio.com
One day before an October 25, 2016, effective date, the District Court for the Eastern District of Texas enjoined on a nationwide basis the implementation of portions of the final rule issued in FAC 2005-90 and related Department of Labor guidance because they conflicted with the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws (Associated Builders and Contractors, et al. v. Rung, et al.). The rule, Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces (FAR Case 2014-025), implements Executive Order 13673, as amended. The injunction applies to the rule’s labor law violation reporting requirements and limitation on use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses in employment agreements, but not its paycheck transparency requirement.
Source: Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces FAR Rule Enjoined | Government Contracts Blog
After a U.S. district court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining implementation of the “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” final rule (discussed here), OFPP issued a Memorandum for Chief Acquisition Officers on October 25 instructing federal agencies to refrain from implementing the enjoined portions of the final rule, and to “immediately” amend any solicitations containing such… Continue Reading
Source: Hold That Thought: OFPP Memo Stops FPSW Implementation – Government Contracts Legal Forum
Yesterday, we wrote about the federal judge in Texas that issued a temporary injunction halting the implementation of the new Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces (FPSW) regulations (see Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Blocking Most of Fair Pay and Safe Workplace Provisions). Indeed this was a great victory for Government contractors but already, contractors (and prospective contractors) are being cautioned that its too early to take a victory lap. There is a strong potential for an appeal or perhaps amended regulations that address the Judge’s concerns. A Justice Department spokesperson was quoted as saying that lawyers are studying the decision and “considering their options”. Additionally, a spokesperson from the Labor Department defended the rules and said that the administration is confident they will be upheld in the courts.
Source: PNWC’s Government Contracting Update: Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Regulations Injunction – Part 2
The Office of Management and Budget unveiled its guidance for IT modernization, which includes four implementation phases for agencies.
Source: OMB reveals proposed guidance on federal IT modernization
The new guidance joins numerous Obama administration efforts to modernize government IT.
Source: US CIO Makes Final Push to Shore Up Government Cyber Vulnerabilities – Nextgov.com
Some agencies are spending even more on legacy IT than you think.
Source: Some Agencies Spend More Than 90% of IT Budgets on Legacy Systems, Report Finds – Nextgov.com
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