Author Archive

Matthew Weigelt

Matthew Weigelt is a freelance journalist who writes about acquisition and procurement.
Modernization

DISA opens competition for massive IT services contract

The Defense Information Systems Agency has released its request for proposals for the Communications Capacity Services Contract -- a single-award, $902 million acquisition vehicle.

Digital Government

CMS looks to get more collaborative

The agency wants to create a web-based collaboration space for its efforts to improve Medicare service delivery.

Digital Government

Hagel plans budget in trying times

DOD needs flexibility and budget certainty to address acquisition, personnel, and overhead costs in smart ways, but is going to have to do its best without them.

Digital Government

Congress questions SBA spending

House Small Business chairman voices concern that "core functions" could suffer while money is spent on unnecessary travel and activities.

Acquisition

DOD competes fewer contracts

GAO finds more than 30 percent of Pentagon spending went to non-competitive awards in fiscal 2012.

Digital Government

DOD checklist provides guide to error-free bid proposals

The DOD is trying to reduce the number of errors and omissions on bids from companies.

Acquisition

GSA releases draft OASIS RFPs

Professional services vehicle aims to complement GSA schedules for cross-government demands.

People

OMB urges shared services for financial management

Traditional approaches to financial systems implementations have left agencies exposed to significant risks in cost, quality and performance, according to OMB memo.

Acquisition

FITARA in context: Procurement reform since Clinger-Cohen

The Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 is widely recognized as a watershed moment in federal IT procurement legislation, and several bills since then have shaped the system further. Where does the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act, now under consideration in Congress, fit into the big picture?

Acquisition

IG raps Air Force for contracting lapses

Air Force contracting officers have not consistently followed the rules for issuing solicitations for risky cost-reimbursement contracts.

Digital Government

GSA's WillowWood facility to close

WillowWood was 'state of the art before state of the art was cool,' says one of its creators.

People

Agencies sign pact to strengthen acquisition training

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the General Services Administration pledge to strengthen their cooperation and commitment to the Federal Acquisition Institute.

Acquisition

Procurement reform bill passes committee

Despite complaints from advocacy groups that they've had too little time to review new provisions, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act has cleared its first hurdle.

People

Can sequestration polish GSA's image?

Tangherlini tells Congress that cost-cutting pressures are a golden opportunity "for GSA to demonstrate its worth."

Acquisition

Congressman seeks small-business harmony between SBA and VA

The Veterans Affairs Department is not following the SBA's regulations as closely as it claims, says the chairman of the House Small Business Committee's Contracting and Workforce subcommittee.

People

Sharing contractor performance data in eight easy steps

OFPP pushes agencies to embrace the Federal Award Performance and Integrity Information System and improve the quality of its data.

Acquisition

IT acquisition bill would push 'bid-to-price' selection process

Latest draft of FITARA puts a new twist on the 'lowest price technically acceptable' versus 'best value' debate.

Digital Government

GSA's Davie 'happy to be back'

Serving as acting FAS commissioner was 'exhilarating,' she says, and provided good perspective.

Digital Government

GAO details the high cost of continuing resolutions

It may be hard for Congress to agree on a budget, but not doing so leads to reduced effectiveness and added expenses.