As we have previously noted on the blog, a substantial number of protests filed before GAO end in voluntary corrective action taken by the protested agency. In recent decision, GAO addressed just how much discretion agencies have in designing corrective actions.
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) established a Commercial Item Group (CIG) in response to Congressional direction to DoD to establish a cadre of experts to leverage the use of commercial items and emerging technologies.
Source: PNWC’s Government Contracting Update: DCMA Stands-up Its Commercial Item Determination Group
Small business owners are increasingly feeling the impact of the partial government shutdown that’s in its 17th day. Agencies including the Small Business Administration and the IRS are not providing information and services, although the SBA’s disaster loan operations are at work.
Source: What is, isn’t available for businesses during govt shutdown – Federal News Network
In a recent decision, GAO determined an agency could reasonably amend a solicitation for a task order issued under a set-side base contract to require offerors to recertify their size and SDVOSB status at the task order level.
The new Congress has been in session only a few days and already have introduced a number of procurement related bills. At this point, they’ve only been introduced and no action has been taken except for referral to a committee (or two). It’s a fact that most introduced bills never make it to passage. And perhaps none of these will either. Or, they may be folded into another bill like the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), as sometimes happens.
Source: PNWC’s Government Contracting Update: Procurement Related Legislation Introduced in the New Congress
Not all of the money flows to Greater Washington contractors, of course, but the overall hit underscores the financial impact that even a partial shutdown can cause for the region’s economy.
Source: Bloomberg: What the government shutdown is costing contractors – Washington Business Journal
Most of us have been surprised by the current partial government shutdown and how long it’s gone on. It’s on track to be one of the longest shutdowns in history, longer than 2013 (16 days) and getting very close to the 1995-96 shutdown (21 days), which it will pass by the end of this week.
Source: How Vendors Can Deal With the Government Shutdown | Government Sales Insider
The 8(a) Program can offer incredible opportunities: sole source contracts, set-aside competitions, mentor-protege relationships, SBA business training and much more.
For some federal contractors, the prolonged shutdown has turned them from doubt and uncertainty to real losses. For an update on the shutdown, now in its third week, Barbara Kinosky, managing partner at Centre Law and Consulting, spoke with Federal Drive with Tom Temin.
Source: Shutdown starts bringing significant losses for federal contractors
“As was true with the 2013 shutdown, while it is always hard, there seems to be something about the two-week window that has a real effect on its impacts,” says one market expert.
Source: Government shutdown’s impact on federal contractors – Washington Business Journal