Guest blogger Jack Horan, Partner, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Many factors go into a decision of whether to protest after a contractor finds out it was not successful in winning an order or contract: Did the agency make a mistake? How strong is my evidence? Did the mistake affect the award decision? How much [...]

“The mission of GSA is to deliver the best value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to government and the American people.”   In executing its mission GSA has identified six priorities: Delivering Better Value and Savings Serving our Partners Expanding Opportunities for Small Business Making a More Sustainable Government Leading with Innovation Building a [...]

Thought No. 10: Myth-Busters – Continuing the Dialogue is More than Checking the Box! Given the current budgetary challenges we face, continuing the dialogue among all stakeholders on key acquisition policies, procedures and programs is vital to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement system.  Over the last decade we have seen the growing unease [...]

This week’s blog post highlights Thought No. 8 of the Thirteen Thoughts for 2013:  “GSA’s 2012 waiver of the Price Reduction Clause—a statement in favor of competition!”  Last fall, the application of the Price Reduction Clause (PRC) was waived for the purposes of the Air Force’s Enterprise Sourcing Group’s open market solicitation, FA8057-12-R-0001, seeking to establish multiple award [...]

Originally, this blog post was to focus on Thought No.7, “From Strategic Source to Strategic Acquisition,” of the Thirteen Thoughts for 2013.  The theme was to expand on my March 18th Federal Times editorial entitled “A New Framework for Acquiring Professional Services” which outlines the key elements of the strategic acquisition of complex services.  The elements outlined in the editorial are central [...]

March 1, 2013—Sequestration Day.  This morning our 13 year-old son was reading the Wall Street Journal article on sequestration and asked me a question only a kid could ask:  “So Dad, if I had a penny would I have more money than the government?”  His question led to a long conversation about the budget, how debt works, [...]

This week it is Thought No. 5 of the Thirteen Thoughts for 2013:  “Closing the door on the Demand Based Model in 2013!(?).”  In 2012 the General Services Administration issued a Federal Register notice regarding its intent to implement a Demand Based Model (DBM) for the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. The DBM’s goal is reduce GSA’s [...]

This week “Thought No. 4” of the Thirteen Thoughts for 2013:  Contract duplication. . . .hitting the delete button.  The timing could not better for addressing this thought! Yesterday the Government Accountability Office (GAO) removed the High Risk Designation from “Management of Interagency Contracting.” GAO cited improvements in: (1) continued progress made by agencies in addressing identified deficiencies; [...]

Thirteen Thoughts for 2013 continues this week with Thought No. 3: ODCs in 2013!(?)   As you know, throughout the last year the Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement (the Coalition) has highlighted the fundamental value to customer agencies of the inclusion of ODCs and materials (at cost) in Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts.  The Coalition has [...]

Today marks the end of the first full work week of 2013.  Welcome back everybody!  The Coalition hopes all had a wonderful Holiday Season.  This time of year everybody does lists.  This year the Coalition, for the first time, is providing a list that we hope you find interesting and thought provoking.  Here are our “Thirteen [...]