SmartContracting Daily Intel for July 26, 2012

In today's news...

Baltimore Sun: Md. defense contractors press Congress for details of cuts 

http://bsun.md/QcKd9n

Federal News Radio: EXCLUSIVE: DHS directorate withdraws controversial vendor checklist 

http://bit.ly/O1oKzV

The  Hill: Firms split on danger of Defense cuts

http://bit.ly/P34DzZ

Politico: Afghanistan: Example of how not to give aid

http://politi.co/LRuGKe

Politico: Some Veteran Affairs funds could be sequestered

http://politi.co/N5gihB

Federal News Radio: Sequestration could spur furloughs at Education

http://bit.ly/Ql6ZBC

Government Executive: House conservatives weigh 6-month budget deal

http://bit.ly/MKYnyQ

Smart Contracting leads to Freedom from FAFSA Fear

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a government form with a reputation for striking fear in the heart of every college student on an annual basis. Students and their parents know – or soon find out – that a student’s entire aid package (even the non-federal aid offered by educational institutions) hinges on how they answer the 107 questions required by the Education Department. And one mistake could cost more than a student loan.

So it’s no wonder that the Education Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid was one of the three winners in the Third Annual Citizen Services Awards for an online support tool to assist FAFSA applicants with their submissions in real time. The tool was implemented by Vangent, Inc. of Arlington, a Professional Services Council member and, as the award attests, one smart contractor.