As the House Armed
Services Committee announced a new
initiative to improve Defense Department acquisitions today, the
Professional Services Council urges the committee to include in its initiative
the recommendations outlined in the 2013 PSC Leadership Commission report, “From
Crisis to Opportunity,” for the acquisition of services.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
PSC Questions Scope and Operation of USAID’s “Partner Vetting for Assistance” Rule
The Professional Services Council (PSC) on September 30 submitted comments to the U.S. Agency for International Development raising questions about the scope and operation of USAID’s proposed rule, “Partner Vetting in USAID Assistance,” that was published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2013.
Friday, October 4, 2013
PSC’s Government Shutdown Resource Center Re-launched to Address Current Crisis
The government shutdown is now in its fourth day and
contractors are beginning to feel the effects. Media outlets are reporting that some companies are furloughing their employees, just like their government partners. Other contractors have found alternatives to keep staff on the
payroll as the crisis continues.
In response to the shutdown, last week PSC re-launched its online Government Shutdown Resource Center to provide member companies with
timely information about what actions they can take during and following any
shutdown, and to help companies understand the operational implications of a
potential shutdown.
The webpage contains materials from PSC’s 2011 program on
contractor implications of a government shutdown, CRS reports, past and current
guidance from federal agencies, and other pertinent documents, all of which are
updated as additional information becomes available.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
CIDC Report Highlights History of International Development Companies’ Successes
The Professional
Services Council (PSC) and its Council of International Development Companies
(CIDC) yesterday published a new report chronicling the history and adaptability of
international development companies (IDCs).
The report, “50
Years of Development: How Private Companies Adapt and Deliver,” follows
USAID’s own report on its 50th anniversary in 2012 and outlines the dramatic
changes that have reshaped foreign assistance delivery since the inception of
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
PSC Urges Congress to Fund Foreign Assistance
Member companies of the Professional Services Council's Council of International Development Companies (CIDC) sent letters to the House and Senate Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees, strongly supporting robust funding of U.S. international development.
In the September 20 letters, 24 members of PSC’s CIDC said they “strongly support robust U.S. international development—funded by the United States and executed by U.S. businesses and other development partners—to continue to serve as a core component of our national, economic and security strategies.”
Thursday, September 19, 2013
PSC: Security Clearance Reviews Must Be Balanced, Realistic
In response to the tragic events at the Washington Navy Yard, the Professional Services Council called on Congress to ensure that any reviews of the security clearance process focus on clearances for military and civilian government personnel, as well as contractors, in a September 18 letter sent to leaders of 12 House and Senate committees and subcommittees.
“In light of the tragic events at the Washington Navy Yard, attention has naturally and appropriately extended to the security and facilities clearance processes and what role, if any, those processes played in this horrific event in which we witnessed the tragic deaths of and injuries to government, contractor, military and law enforcement personnel,” said Stan Soloway, PSC president and CEO.
“Whatever gaps in the process may exist are equally applicable to all individuals seeking to obtain or retain a clearance,” he said. “To look at the issue only through the narrow lens some have suggested would be counter-productive and shortsighted.”
Monday, September 9, 2013
PSC Leadership Issues First-Ever Commission Report; Recommends “Fundamental” Changes
The Professional Services Council’s 2013 Leadership Commission today issued a report calling on the government and industry to join forces in pursuing fundamental changes to turn the current fiscal and human capital crises into significant opportunities.
Friday, September 6, 2013
PSC Responds to Rules Expanding Executive Compensation Cap Coverage
PSC, through the Council of Defense and Space Industry
Associations (CODSIA), on August 26, responded to interim and proposed FAR
rules to implement the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act provision
requiring the cap on executive compensation to apply to all employees
performing under defense contracts.
The two sets of comments, available here
and here
raised concerns that the interim and proposed rules improperly applied the
expansion to contracts that were forged before the law expanding coverage went
into effect on December 31, 2011. Such retroactive applications would cause the
government to breach all contracts established before the effective date,
CODSIA said. In addition, CODSIA said that, contrary to the rules’ Regulatory
Flexibility Act statements, the rules did impose a burden on contractors, particularly
small businesses, to maintain more than one billing rate structure for 2012,
2013, and possibly several years into the future. Many systems are not designed
or configured to process different rates for the same work, the comments said.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Department of Labor Issues Two Major Final Rules
On August 28, the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued two significant final rules to improve hiring and employment of veterans and of people with disabilities. One rule updates the department’s rules relating to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), which protects veterans against employment discrimination. The other updates the department’s rules relating to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which protects individuals with disabilities against employment discrimination.
While the goals of both rules are laudable, PSC is concerned about the challenges for contractors in implementing these new significant regulatory requirements. In addition, both rules fail to address any of the real barriers contractors face in hiring veterans or individuals with disabilities, such as finding prospective employees with appropriate experience levels that meet contractual skills requirements and addressing their training needs. In addition, the 503 rule applies the disability hiring goal to each job group of the contractor, thus potentially exponentially raising the challenge of compliance. PSC authored a February 2012 letter to Labor, raising significant implementation challenges with the proposed 503 rule. PSC is conducting a detailed review of both final rules to identify any additional concerns.
Both rules will generally become effective six months after publication in the Federal Register, which is expected soon. Now that Labor has finalized both regulations, we expect the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council to commence its rule-making to implement these OFCCP requirements into the FAR. PSC will engage the FAR Council in the development of the necessary acquisition regulations.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
PSC Supports Provision to Protect USAID Funding from Waste, Fraud and Abuse
The Professional Services Council and its Council of International Development Companies have expressed support for a common sense provision in the House Foreign Operations Appropriations bill to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected by ensuring appropriate reviews occur before limiting competition to host-country entities. The House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee approved the bill July 19. The full House Appropriations Committee will consider the bill today.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Proposed DoD Counterfeit Parts Rule Found Lacking
A proposed rule regarding the detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts would create barriers to the Defense Department’s access to key technologies, the Professional Services Council (PSC) said in comments submitted to DoD through the Council of Defense and Space Industry Associations (CODSIA) on July 15.
Monday, July 8, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for July 8, 2013
In today's news...
Bloomberg "Capital Gains": The Edward Snowden Effect
DevEx: Is USAID's 'go local' strategy hurting US small business?
http://bit.ly/183tksF
http://bit.ly/183tksF
Washington Technology: Tight budgets challenge prime-sub relationships (subscription)
Federal News Radio: Sequestration snarling 2014 budget process
Federal News Radio: DoD's revised cyber policy to shift toward governmentwide standards
Federal Times: Competition for $450 million DoD cloud contract to start in August
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel July 3, 2013
Happy (almost) Independence Day! In today's news...
Federal Contracts Report: View From PSC: The New, Improved DATA Act—a Balance of Transparency and Reporting
FCW: Issa lobbies for DATA act
Washington Post: White House delays health-care rule that businesses provide insurance to workers
Federal Times: NIST outlines draft cybersecurity framework for industry
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for July 2, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Business Journal: A government starvation cycle? (Guest Blog)
Wall Street Journal: Aid Donors to Grade Afghan Progress on Commitments (subscription)
Government Executive: Defense Contractors and Military Personnel Can’t Fill In for Furloughed Civilians
FCW: Can DIA become the Defense Innovation Agency?
Federal Times: New law extends whistleblower protections to subcontractors
Monday, July 1, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for July 1, 2013
Happy Monday! And Happy July! In today's news...
Washington Post: They said the sequester would be scary. Mostly, they were wrong.
Washington Post: Tracking the predicted sequester impacts
Defense News: With Contractors Under Fire, One Exec Questions DoD Leaders
Friday, June 28, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 28, 2013
In today's News...
Washington Technology: Snowden case launches open season on contractors
Federal News Radio: Industry fears 'chilling effect' in GSA review of acquisition managers
Washington Post: Company allegedly misled government about security clearance checks
Washington Post: Justice Dept. targets general in leak probe
NextGov: NSA Networks Might Have Been Missing Anti-leak Technology
http://bit.ly/17p42oz
http://bit.ly/17p42oz
Government Executive: The Federal Government Does a Terrible Job of Recognizing High Performers
Thursday, June 27, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 27, 2013
In today's news...
The New York Times: Mandatory Federal Cuts Hurt Private Sector, Too
The Atlantic: Unsexy Ways to Cut Defense Spending
Washington Business Journal: DOMA decision: How will the feds implement same-sex benefits?
Federal Times: Unions find surprise ally in fight against outsourcing: Republicans
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 25, 2013
In today's news...
The Hill: The opportunities offered by the Snowden case
Federal Times: How DoD became a smarter customer
Government Executive: Obama Nominates a Pentagon Inspector General
bit.ly/1ab10rL
bit.ly/1ab10rL
Federal Times: Expect security clearance delays
bit.ly/19phqNC
bit.ly/19phqNC
Friday, June 21, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 21, 2013
Happy first day of summer! In today's news...
FCW: Would capping contractor salary reimbursements make a difference?
Washington Post: Labor groups back bills to cap contractor pay at vice president’s salary
Washington Post: Government lacks uniform security-clearance guidelines, official says
USA Today: SBA revises small business size standards
FedScoop: Air Force top officer: Sequester is crippling Air Force
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 19, 2013
In today's news:
Politico: Unions eye fight over role of federal contractors
Washington Business Journal: Federal employee union president slams contractors' motives
Government Executive: Acting GSA Chief Impresses Senators As Agency’s Mr. Fix-It
FCW: How far is too far in cyber defense?
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 18, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Business Journal: Acquiring services: How feds can get it right
Defense News: Big Changes Ahead in the Pentagon's Policy Shops?
FCW: Can big data save the government $500 billion?
Federal News Radio: Contractors with security clearances lack path to report problems
Monday, June 17, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 17, 2013
In today's news...
Baltimore Sun: Little impact seen from suspension of clearance investigations
Politico: House GOP sees upside to budget conference delay
Federal Times: Contractors frustrated with cuts to bio-based purchasing program
Federal News Radio: GSA to review all internal procurement practices
FCW: Inside the IBM/Amazon protest
Friday, June 14, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 14, 2013
Happy Friday! In today's news...
Federal News Radio: Lawmakers, industry press OFPP not to make strategic sourcing mandatory
Bloomberg: Senate Committee Approves $625 Billion Defense Measure
Washington Technology: Are bid protest fears overblown? Dan Gordon thinks so (subscription required)
Wired: Who Owns Big Data: The CMO or CIO?
FCW: Successor found for Kathleen Turco at GSA
Thursday, June 13, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 13, 2013
In today's news...
Government Executive: Commentary: The Compensation Fallacy
FoxNews: Concern over contractors' security clearance amid NSA leaks
The Hill: Clapper defends private contractors as ‘integral part’ of intel community
Defense News: Industrial Policy Chief Lambert to Leave DoD
FCW: Issa seeks to standardize contractor suspension process
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 11, 2013
In today's news, industry (and the media) respond to the Snowden affair.
WBJ: Really mainstream media? One reporter's response to sensational journalism
Politico: Contractors fret about freeze-out after Snowden leak
The Hill: Defense contractors fear blowback in wake of leak about NSA snooping
And in non-Snowden news:
Defense News: The 'O' Word: Offense vs. Defense in Cyber
Defense News: Hope Fades for 'Grand Bargain' to Avoid Sequester
Monday, June 10, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 10, 2013
In today's news...
Guardian: Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations
CPI: Pentagon may be wasting a billion dollars a year in erroneous payments to contractors
FCW: GSA IG criticizes managers meddling in contract negotiations
FCW: Unraveling the facts about GWACs
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 4, 2013
In today's news:
The Hill: Defense panel rejects Obama cap on executive pay
Defense News: US Intel Community Turning to Commercial Companies for R&D
Federal News Radio: From left, right and center, analysts beg DoD to tackle overhead costs
FCW: Five FAS employees put on leave over Crystal City event
Monday, June 3, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for June 3, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Post: How the sequester endangers America’s future
FedScoop: Defense officials: Austerity could streamline intelligence acquisition
Federal News Radio: OMB takes first step toward comprehensive inventory of federal programs
NextGov: Defense Contractors Vastly Outnumber Troops in Afghanistan
Washington Post: Contractor advocates concerned about counterfeit parts proposal
Friday, May 31, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 31, 2013
Happy Friday! In today's news...
Federal Times: White House wants new caps on contractor pay
USA Today: ANALYSIS: Why cyberwarfare is the great equalizer
Federal Times: Agencies should plan for up to 10% cut in FY15, OMB says
Related memo: http://1.usa.gov/16vWhAj
Federal News Radio: Marine Corps prepares to cut cord on NMCI
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 29, 2013
In today's news...
Politico: An alliance for embassy security
Washington Post: House spending bills neutral on 2014 federal pay raise
Washington Post: Defense workers begin receiving furlough notices
Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network: Foreign Assistance Dashboard Adds Treasury and Defense Data
Government Executive: How to Start Transitioning Your Agency to a Shared Services Model
Federal Times: DoD close to approving cyber attack rules
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 28, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Post: GSA seeking industry feedback on cybersecurity
FCW: IT dashboards: Picture perfect?
The Atlantic: What Would It Mean for Governments to Compete Like Businesses?
Federal News Radio: DoD waging 'continuing war' on unproductive acquisition bureaucracy
Washington Business Journal: DOD gave more than 1,000 contractors work restricted to federal employees
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 21, 2013
In today's news...
Fiscal Times: Pentagon’s Failure to Audit Contracts Wastes Billions
FedScoop: 10 tips for maximizing data-driven innovation
Federal News Radio: OMB reworking financial system requirements to focus on outcomes, not inputs
FCW: DOD business systems under fire -- again
Government Executive: The Furloughs That Never Came
Federal Times: Sequester doesn't add up for IGs
Monday, May 20, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 20, 2013
In today's news...
NextGov: Contractors Ask GSA to Freeze Cyber-Related Regulations
FCW: Rep. Van Hollen, DHS' Borras appeal to midsize contractors
Washington Post: How do you keep a business innovative?
OMB Blog: Building a 21st Century Infrastructure: Better Outcomes, Faster Timelines, and Less Red Tape
Thursday, May 16, 2013
SIGAR Report Confirms PSC Findings on Afghan Taxation of U.S. Contractors
The recent Special Inspector General for Afghanistan
Reconstruction (SIGAR) report on
Afghan business taxes improperly levied on U.S. contracts confirms many of the
Professional Services Council’s findings on the impacts of such inappropriate
Afghan tax levies on U.S. contractors.
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 16, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Post: Exclusive: GSA failed to pay thousands of small government contractors since 2008
GAO: Strategic Sourcing: Leading Commercial Practices Can Help Federal Agencies Increase Savings When Acquiring Services.
USAID Impact Blog: “How to Work with USAID” 101 (PSC)
FCW: VA seeks input on new standards for veteran-owned small businesses
Federal News Radio: OMB fuels the passion, synergy between mobile, open data
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 15, 2013
In today's news...
Politico: Pentagon furloughs planned at 11 days
Federal News Radio: DoD wants to know real costs of IT business systems
FCW: GSA to provide help choosing between contracts
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 14, 2013
In today's news...
Bloomberg: Contractors for U.S. Hit by Almost $1 Billion in Afghan Taxes (Attached)
Related: SIGAR: Taxes: Afghan Government Has Levied Nearly a Billion Dollars in Business Taxes on Contractors Supporting U.S. Government Efforts in Afghanistan
Federal Times: Senators: Sequester-avoiding deal not likely before Aug. recess
Government Executive: Defense Agency Will Use Sequester, Other Cuts to Make Big Changes
Federal News Radio: Government needs senior execs willing to break agency mold, report says
Monday, May 13, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 13, 2013
In today's news...
Defense News: DoD Sets Up Institutes for Manufacturing
Washington Post: SAIC moves forward in company split
Politico: Sequester signals need for real deficit reduction
Federal News Radio: DoD's military construction budget appears safe from sequestration cuts
FedScoop: Green Button use continues to expand
Friday, May 10, 2013
PSC Opposes NIST Proposal for New FFRDC
The Professional Services Council (PSC) questioned the
National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) plan to create a new
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), in comments submitted May 9.
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 10, 2013
Happy Friday! In today's news...
FCW: GSA is saying what?
FedScoop: SBA sees drop in set-aside contracting participants
Quartz: Big business isn’t investing in people anymore, so big government has to
FCW: A fear of audits might be holding back real IT security
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
PSC CIDC Supports Rep. Connolly’s 2013 Global Partnerships Act
PSC’s Council of International Development Companies (CIDC) has
given its support to the direction reflected in Rep. Gerry Connolly’s, D-Va.,
bill to improve foreign assistance. The “Global Partnerships Act of 2013,” H.R.1793, advocates an “implementing partner-neutral” approach to international
development programs, which PSC believes will help ensure that U.S. development
policy puts the best that America has to offer to work, PSC’s CIDC tri-chairs
said in a letter to Connolly on May 7.
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 7, 2013
In today's news...
Associated Press: White House recalculates sequestration cuts for some agencies
Washington Post: As sequestration begins, contractors report lowered profits
Federal Times: Leaders fear sequester's impact on recruitment, retention, service
Washington Technology: Contractor convicted of spying on former company
Monday, May 6, 2013
PSC Urges Congress to Preserve Development Assistance for Afghanistan
The Professional Services Council urged Congress to preserve
development assistance for Afghanistan during the 2014 appropriations process,
in a May 6 letter to key legislators.
PSC asked that key development assistance accounts be
maintained at levels necessary to build on and sustain the successes of the investments
that the U.S. government has already made in Afghanistan over the last decade.
“Precipitous reductions in development assistance would put
those hard-won gains at risk and hinder achievement of our nation’s long term
diplomatic, security and economic goals in the region,” PSC President and CEO Stan
Soloway said in the letter. “The trajectory of development success in key
sectors—health, education, economic growth, and women’s empowerment—clearly
points to irreversible progress towards our goals in Afghanistan if we maintain
a sufficient level of effort.”
Read the letter here.
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 6, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Business Journal: On the hunt for acquisitions, services companies come up empty
Federal News Radio: OMB's Metzenbaum leaves behind an invigorated performance culture
Government Executive: Afghans May Not Be Ready to Take Over Security
FCW: CIOs seek best side of sequestration
Federal News Radio: Zients out as OMB deputy director for management
Thursday, May 2, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 2, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Technology: Critical furlough questions you have to ask your customers
FCW: What's wrong with IT at Veterans Affairs?
Government Executive: Defense Furlough Decision Coming Soon
Federal News Radio: Sequestration already biting Navy, Marines readiness
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
PSC Recommends Changes to GSA's OASIS Draft Solicitations
The Professional Services Council (PSC) recommended several changes to the General Services Administration’s OASIS procurement draft solicitations in comments filed on April 29. In its comments, PSC also praised GSA for its extensive outreach efforts and expressed overall support for the intent of OASIS.
SmartContracting Daily Intel for May 1, 2013
In today's news:
Wall Street Journal: Military Contractors Seek Clarity on Pentagon Cuts
Federal News Radio: Industry begins feeling impact of sequestration
Federal News Radio: SBA relying on shared services to improve cyber posture
FCW: USAID tackles mobility in the developing world
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 30, 2013
In today's news...
Defense News: US Has Concerns with UK Plan to Outsource Acquisition Oversight
Defense News: Suppliers Large and Small Storm Capitol Hill
Federal News Radio: Federal agencies 'slipping' on innovation
Defense.gov: Readout of Secretary Hagel's Meeting with Defense Industry Leaders (PSC)
Monday, April 29, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 29, 2013
Today's top reads...
Washington Technology: Plenty of unanswered questions about $10B OASIS contract
Federal Times: Contracting professionals need to travel — and train
Washington Post: Contractors seeking coping mechanisms for budget cuts
Federal Times: Cost restructuring can help agencies meet budget challenges
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 24, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Business Journal: SBA provides veteran businesses opportunity to sound off about contracting issues
The Hill: Republicans block Reid move to form Senate budget conference
Government Executive: Full Sequestration Would Force Army to Drop 100,000 Soldiers, Officials Say
Washington Technology: Lockheed expects delays to drive sequestration cuts
NextGov: Women are Narrowing the Gap in IT Jobs
FedScoop: NIST cyber center seeks nonprofit for research
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 23, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Post: Federal employee furloughs begin
Government Executive: Reconsidering the General Schedule
Washington Technology: U.S. considers how to confront China over cyber attacks
FCW: VA backlog resolution hinges on IT
NextGov: DHS Creates Cyber Internships for Community College Students, Veterans
Monday, April 22, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 22, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Post: House oversight committee requests study of federal pay scale
http://wapo.st/12BQYuG
http://wapo.st/12BQYuG
The Hill: Cybersecurity debate moves to Senate
Federal Times: Simpson, Bowles renew call for cuts in employee benefits
Washington Post: Furloughs underway, but uncertainty remains for many workers
Friday, April 19, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 19, 2013
Government Executive: Pentagon Now a `Sideshow’ in Sequester Debate, Defense Official Says
Federal News Radio: House passes pro-business cybersecurity bill
FCW: State of the cyber workforce
Government Executive: Air Force Announces Civilian Reduction in Force
Washinton Technology: Big data fuels cross-country acquisition
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Smart Contracting Daily Intel for April 18, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Business Journal: Contractors pay less for employee benefits, survey finds
Government Executive: Federal Acquisition Executives Grapple with Retirement Wave
Federal Times: OASIS would be one-stop integrated services shop
Federal News Radio: OFPP brings no predisposed notions to strategic sourcing
FCW: Where the cyber bills stand
Friday, April 12, 2013
PSC White Paper Highlights Use of Science & Technology In International Development
The Professional Services Council published a white paper today highlighting the use of
science and technology by international development companies supporting
USAID-funded development projects.
Development companies, like the members of PSC’s Council of International Development Companies (CIDC), have successfully employed the
latest science and technology innovations to meet intractable development
problems. PSC’s white paper identifies 35 examples of innovation by CIDC
companies in the areas of integrating mobile information and communication
technologies; collaborating with new and non-traditional partners and actors; expanding
research and outreach; and identifying project impacts.
The white paper also identifies barriers to the use of
innovative science and technologies in development and offers recommendations
for overcoming those barriers.
The white paper is available here.
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 12, 2013
Happy Friday! In today's news...
Foreign Policy: "Contracting with the Enemy"
Government Executive: OMB Updates Budget Caps Under Sequester Law
Brookings: USAID Sets Model for Transparent Policymaking
FCW: DOD leaders defend planned workforce cuts
FCW: Will IT spending survive coming budget battle?
Thursday, April 11, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 11, 2013
In honor of yesterday's budget release, we bring you budget news you can use.
Washington Post: Here’s everything small business owners need to know about Obama’s new budget
Federal Times: Administration proposes 1.7% increase in IT spending
Federal Times: Obama budget to propose 215 program cuts, consolidations
Washington Post: Obama budget raises federal worker pay and pension contributions
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Consistent Cybersecurity Framework Must Go Ahead of Contracting Provisions
The Professional Services Council (PSC) recommended that the ongoing efforts to create cybersecurity requirements for contracting be halted until the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops the cybersecurity framework required under President Obama’s February 12 Executive Order 13636, in comments submitted to NIST on April 8
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 9, 2013
In today's news...
Federal News Radio: GSA's OASIS contract is in the red zone and driving
Washington Post: Duplicative programs wasting government funds, report says
FCW: Administration pushes back on IT sourcing restrictions
Washington Technology: Why some companies embrace LPTA contracts
Monday, April 8, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 8, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Post: A budget primer for White House budget week
Washington Technology: No competition for private intell
cloud contract
NextGov: Report Warns of Potential Brain Drain in Federal
Cyber Force
Federal Times: Retirement numbers continue outpacing
projections
Thursday, April 4, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 4, 2013
In today's news...
Businessweek: Audits Preventing Taxpayer Overcharges Impeded by Pentagon Cuts
Washington Post: Hagel warns of deep, new cuts to defense budget
Federal Times: Agencies brace for exodus of contracting professionals
Federal Times: As budgets tighten, contract attorneys expect uptick in bid protests
Washington Post: Federal leadership on the decline, report says
FedScoop: CIO Council releases fed cybersecurity workforce report
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 3, 2013
In today's news...
FCW: Industry to government: We need help with cybersecurity
Government Executive: House Small Business Chair Questions SBA Handling of Sequester
Foreign Policy: Nobody home at the State Department
Washington Technology: Data guru Ray Bjorklund leaves Deltek
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 2, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Post: Beef with the sequester? At least one federal program was able to beat it.
Government Executive: Furlough Watch: Agency-by-Agency Impacts of Sequestration
Federal News Radio: OMB revises PortfolioStat to answer 3 questions about IT investments
Washington Business Journal: SRA International brings on new VP of cybersecurity, privacy
Monday, April 1, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for April 1, 2013
In today's news...
Washington Technology: Soloway's 5 questions shaping the federal market
Washington Post: Contractors taking diversification seriously as defense spending shrinks
Federal Times: How to narrow the cyber talent gap
The Hill: Momentum growing to revamp Washington’s ‘broken’ budget process
NCMA: Stan Soloway wins the Herbert Roback Memorial Award
Friday, March 29, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 29, 2013
Happy Friday. In today's news...
Washington Technology: Draft RFPs released for $10B OASIS contract
FedScoop: VanRoekel launches PortfolioStat 2.0
Defense News: DoD: $22B Shortfall in Operations and Maintenance
Washington Post: For federal workforce, the furlough terrain is uneven
Thursday, March 28, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 28, 2013
In today's news..
Washington Post: How is the sequester affecting federal agencies?
Federal News Radio: Report prescribes pathway for cyber reform without legislation
Washington Technology: Do you know how to thrive under LPTA?
Washington Business Journal: Stephen Fuller says sequester's impact won't be as severe as he predicted
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 27, 2013
In today's news...
FCW: FITARA in context: Procurement reform since Clinger-Cohen
Government Executive: A Growing Consensus for Shrinking the Defense Budget?
FCW: OMB urges shared services for financial management
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 26, 2013
In today's news...
FCW: Rebalancing act: DOD's leadership weighs priorities
Federal Times: GOP shows openness to Obama budget plan
Government Executive: CBO Chief on the Impossible Job of Gauging How Much Legislation Costs
FCW: Could Congress work from home?
Monday, March 25, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 25, 2013
Happy Monday! In today's news...
FCW: Agencies sign pact to strengthen acquisition training
FCW: Congress turns attention to 2014 budget
Federal News Radio: DoD in denial about budget future, experts say
FedScoop: DOD civil strategy has cyber ties
Washington Business Journal: Strategic sourcing’s foundation: solid rock or shifting sand? (Guest Blog)
Friday, March 22, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 22, 2013
Happy Friday! In today's news...
Washington Technology: 6 questions to drive the LPTA debate
Washington Business Journal: Connolly: Funding bill 'very bad' for contractors
Washington Business Journal: Cabinet agencies awarded $83.48 billion to small businesses in 2012
Politico: The case for private-public partnerships
Washington Post: Days of sequester: A week-three round-up
Thursday, March 21, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 21, 2013
In today's news...
Reuters: Impact of "sequester" budget cuts on jobs may be exaggerated
FCW: Challenges await the next OMB head
Federal Times: IGs: Pending recommendations loaded with billions in savings
Washington Post: Iraq’s lessons are there for the heeding
Washington Business Journal: VA will no longer deny veterans verification for right of first refusal provisions
Federal News Radio: Groups say veteran-owned contracting still broken
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 20, 2013
Happy first day of spring! In today's news...
FCW: DOD launches strategic review
Federal News Radio: Progress slows on bill to avoid shutdown
Government Executive: Lawmakers Hunt Sequester Alternative in Defense, DHS Savings
Defense News: U.S. Sharpens Tone on Cyber Attacks From China
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 19, 2013
In today's news, stories about oversight and how it affects, and is affected by, sequestration.
Federal News Radio: GAO to review agency sequestration planning, implementation
Washington Post: House hearing will examine decisions behind sequester cuts
Federal Times: Sequester ensnares government watchdogs
Monday, March 18, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 18, 2013
Happy Monday! Toady's top news stories include contractor compensation, IT reform legislation, fixed price contracting, big data, and, of course, sequestration woes.
Washington Post/Capital Business: Contractor compensation still under fire
FCW: IT acquisition bill would push 'bid-to-price' selection process
DoD Buzz: Are fixed price contracts a fad?
Federal News Radio: Air Force looks to reboot civilian cyber workforce
Government Executive: Nondefense Slice of Domestic Spending on Track to Hit 50-Year Low
Federal Times: Furlough strategies vary wildly
Federal Times: The most overstretched agencies, according to feds
FCW: Of policy and petabytes: Shaping the use of big data
Friday, March 15, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 15, 2013
Happy Friday, but beware the ides of March.
FCW: GAO details the high cost of continuing resolutions
Washington Post: Days of sequester: The week-two roundup
Washington Business Journal: Federal employee side businesses: Yay or nay?
Washington Technology: Fallen contractor honored with Defense of Freedom medal
Federal News Radio: House committee takes third whack at cyber enhancement bill
Thursday, March 14, 2013
SmartContracting Daily Intel for March 14, 2013
Happy Thursday! One more day until the weekend is here. Here is some late day news to get you through the rest of today...
Government Executive: Crisis Budgeting Creates an 'Uncertainty Tax,' Senator Says
OMB Blog: Working to Deliver Improved Performance
Washington Business Journal: DOD official warns defense industry against drastic moves that could lead to market crisis
Washington Technology: Lockheed's Linda Gooden shares the lessons of her career
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