Friday Flash 01/30/2026

January 29, 2026

Department of War Acquisition Reform

This week’s FAR & Beyond blog is authored by Moshe Schwartz, The Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement Defense Acquisition Fellow and President of Etherton & Associates, with the assistance of Arzoo Dawoodani.

Acquisition reform season is again upon us, with efforts to overhaul the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and accompanying agency supplements, extensive acquisition reform provisions included in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (including Title 18 dedicated to acquisition reform), and the release of the Department’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy. How does the Pentagon’s reform efforts stack up?

The ideas and initiatives in the Department of War’s (DoW) strategy are not new. Some have been tried before (longer tenures for PMs, improve DAU, portfolio management, better cost estimating), are already current policy (MOSA, scorecards, buy commercial), or were in the FY26 NDAA (PAEs, establish the Mission Engineering and Integration Activity, repeal outdated statutes, streamline CAS). And some are perennial siren songs (cut bureaucracy, streamline processes, workforce).

This is not criticism; this is good news. Everybody knows what needs to be done to ‘fix’ defense acquisition. We have all talked about what needs to be done; few have been willing or able to do it. Only time will tell if the 158^th time is the charm. But the necessary ingredients for success are present:

Leadership is a prerequisite for success. Current DoW leaders are exhibiting this leadership. One case in point is the Secretary of War’s November 7^th press conference on acquisition reform and the accompanying release of the memo “Transforming the Defense Acquisition System into the Warfighting Acquisition System.” And acquisition reform appears to be a focus of DEPSECDEF Feinberg, USD (A&S) Duffey, Army Secretary Driscoll, and Space Force Chief Saltzman, just to name a few.
Political Will – The current administration—and DoW leadership—has shown remarkable political will to achieve its goals.
Administration/Congressional Cooperation – Past acquisition reform efforts (i.e. the 800 Panel, Section 809 Panel on Streamlining Acquisition) benefitted from a shared vision between the Administration and Congress. Congress and DoW appear to be aligned on the need for acquisition reform and much of what needs to be done.
Need – The United States is being challenged around the world. In a growing number of capabilities, the United States is no longer the technology leader (e.g. hypersonics). We need to change.

In looking at the content of the strategy, the initiatives can be roughly broken down into four broad categories: people, process, pace, and industrial base.

People

Defense acquisition is a human activity dependent on the judgments and decisions of the workforce. As the 809 Panel argues, “the ultimate effectiveness and efficiency of defense acquisition depend on and is determined by the people” who make up the acquisition workforce.[1] DoW’s acquisition strategy picks up on this theme, emphasizing the importance of the “warfighting acquisition workforce” and the need to let them “cut through red tape and deliver results.”

A centerpiece of the workforce efforts is establishing Portfolio Acquisition Executives, who would have the authority to make budget and requirements trades, and manage their workforce (contracting officers would report to the PAEs). The strategy also tackles workforce training, including through government-industry exchanges and reorienting Defense Acquisition University (renamed Warfighting Acquisition University) to “foster rapid cross-functional teaming, critical thinking, innovation, and risk taking under operational pressures.” The strategy also calls for “monetary incentive awards” to reward high performers and establishing longer tenures for PAEs and program managers.

Process

The Department’s goal for accelerating the acquisition processes is simple: deliver new capabilities faster, spend resources more efficiently, and ensure a more competitive marketplace. This would be accomplished by streamlining the process, cutting unnecessary steps, and accelerating “risk-based decision-making” the Department seeks.

One example is the Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) Pathway, which has become bogged down by bureaucracy. The strategy seeks to delegate MTAs approvals to the “lowest permissible level,” cut down prototype development and approval processes, and eliminate MTA advisory boards–replacing them with a digitized system that integrates data and identifies concerns. The strategy emphasizes adopting industry-driven solutions, acquiring commercial products and services, and going direct-to-supplier.

Pace

While the strategy does not throw out the traditional balance of cost, schedule, and performance in the context of operational need, it does elevate the importance of speed, declaring that the DoW is moving to a wartime footing to foster a sense of urgency. The strategy establishes a “Wartime Production Unit” to advise on production optimization, engage with PEOs to implement efficiency improvements in production, and accelerate production ramps to meet operational needs.

The strategy also tackles integrating modern engineering techniques and rigorous readiness testing. The emphasis on speed extends beyond just acquisition to readiness and surge capacity.

Industrial Base

The defense industrial base has been shrinking for more than a decade. The strategy seeks to reverse these trends, hoping to spur competition, increase innovation, accelerate production, decrease cost, and generate more private capital investment. To incentivize industry, the Department will “curate a playbook of financial tools,” to include longer contracts, direct loans, loan guarantees, and pre-contract industry investments.

Will This Time be Different?

The tone of the strategy and the Secretary’s speech are promising. Gone is vilifying the existing defense industrial base as the source of all that is wrong with defense acquisitions, which appeared to be the tone earlier on. Also gone are some of the more extreme positions in intellectual property that dissuade companies from working with the Department.

The change in tone should not be confused with letting industry off the hook—DoW must hold industry accountable and embrace creative destruction: companies unable to perform should not survive. DoW must be a tough negotiator. But it must also embrace industry as a partner and recognize that the problems in acquisition are the shared fault of DoW, industry, and Congress. As SECDEF stated, to succeed, DoW needs the entire defense industrial base, including commercial and VC-backed entities that have not yet joined the DIB.

Even with a favorable landscape, the strategy is still just a strategy, and reforms are in the early stages. Some, such as Bill Greenwalt, correctly argue that the strategy does not go far enough, that in the immortal words of GAO, “more needs to be done.” True. But we are more optimistic. The time is right. The political landscape is right. The ideas are right. And our national security depends on it.

[1] Section 809 Panel Interim Report, page 28, May 2017.

Provide Your Feedback on the Winter Training Conference

Thank you to everyone who attended the Coalition’s 2025-2026 Winter Training Conference: The Revolutionary Federal Market. We value your feedback and invite you to complete a survey to inform the planning and development of future conferences.

To complete the survey, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Hanafin at mhanafin@thecgp.org.

GSA Shares Update on Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Rulemaking

The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul has reached a major milestone as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council moves into the formal rule-making stage. In a recent blog post, GSA Senior Procurement Executive Jeff Koses outlined the framework for 12 proposed rules that will reshape the FAR.

Stakeholders can track the status and scope of each rule through the FAR Open Case Status Report, which provides visibility into which FAR parts are affected and which agency is serving as the lead drafter.

GSA is leading four of the initial rules now advancing through the process:

Rule #1 addresses many of the administrative and the cyber-supply chain issues in federal acquisition. It will include FAR Parts parts 1, 2, 4, 33, 39, 40, and 53
Rule #2 will address key planning and preparation. It will include FAR Parts parts 6, 7, 10, 18, 26, 37 and 41.
Drafts for both Rules #1 and #2 have now been submitted to the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAAC) and the Defense Acquisition Regulatory Council (DARC) for review.
Rule #3 will address nuts and bolts of the contracting process. It will include FAR Parts FAR parts 8, 12, 13, 15, 38, and 44
Rule #4 will address the big public policy issues in acquisition. It will include FAR Parts FAR parts 19, 22, 23, and 25.

FedRAMP Director Previews New “Cybersecurity Service” Initiative

MeriTalk reports that Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Director Pete Waterman previewed a new initiative called the “FedRAMP Cybersecurity Service” during remarks at a Digital Government Institute event. While details were limited, Waterman said the effort will focus on recruiting security engineers to help build FedRAMP into a “world-class security program” and support expanded collaboration with agencies, as well as continued automated, continuous monitoring for cloud services.

The announcement comes as FedRAMP continues its broader modernization effort, with 2026 described by Waterman as a major delivery year for the program. He also referenced upcoming milestones including a wider release of FedRAMP 20x, expanded agency adoption, earlier marketplace access for cloud services, and adjustments to the Rev. 5 Agency Authorization process.

FedRAMP’s workforce has been a focus area amid these changes. A September FedRAMP blog post noted that staffing had declined to 28 employees after the loss of more than 50 staff members in fiscal year (FY) 2025. The program has set a target of approximately 43 employees in FY26, though it remains unclear whether personnel hired through the new Cybersecurity Service would be included in that figure.

As noted in last week’s Friday Flash, FedRAMP is currently implementing final changes intended to align the program more closely with its statutory framework. There are six open requests for comment related to those updates.

VA Lifts Healthcare Hiring Freeze but Maintains Staffing Caps

Federal News Network reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has lifted its hiring freeze for healthcare workers, though facilities are still operating under strict staffing caps. A report from Democrats on the Senate VA Committee states that VA facilities continue to face denials and delays in hiring approvals across a range of positions.

The report states that the VA lost more than 40,000 employees last year, with approximately 88 percent of those departures coming from the healthcare workforce. It also states that, in early January, new patient wait times for mental health appointments exceeded 40 days in 14 states.

VA officials have disputed several of these findings. VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz said that the department achieved a workforce reduction of about 30,000 employees through attrition and voluntary separation incentives, rather than losing 40,000 employees. He also said that VA data shows shorter wait times for mental health appointments than those cited in the Senate report.

According to the VA, the department hired roughly 21,000 employees last year to help offset workforce reductions. While hiring restrictions specific to healthcare roles have been lifted, VA leadership has indicated that facilities must continue operating within established staffing and full-time equivalent limits.

Sponsorships Available for the 2026 Spring Training Conference!

The Coalition’s 2026 Spring Training Conference will take place on May 13-14, 2026 at the Fairview Marriott in Falls Church, VA. This two-day event will focus on governmentwide and healthcare procurement issues, and will dive into current developments in the dynamic world of federal procurement, with insights from key government decision makers and industry experts.

Several sponsorship opportunities are available for the Spring Training Conference. Sponsorship provides a valuable opportunity to showcase your organization, support the conference program, and connect with attendees from across the federal procurement community.

View the opportunities here and secure your sponsorship today! If you have any questions, or are ready to secure your sponsorship, please contact Heather Tarpley at htarpley@thecgp.org.

Thank You to Our Current Spring Training Conference Sponsors

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details on registration for the Spring Training Conference!

SBA Suspends More Than 1,000 Firms from 8(a) Program

The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it has suspended 1,091 firms from the 8(a) Business Development Program after they did not meet a January deadline to submit three years of financial documentation. The suspended firms represent roughly 25 percent of all businesses participating in the program. According to SBA, about half of the suspended firms have received federal contract payments since 2021. Collectively, those firms received more than $5 billion in federal contract obligations over the past four years.

SBA said the action is part of a broader effort to strengthen program oversight, address fraud risks, and ensure compliance with eligibility and documentation requirements. The agency also noted a significant slowdown in new admissions to the 8(a) program over the past year compared to prior years. Audits and reviews of the 8(a) program are ongoing, including efforts led by SBA as well as reviews by other federal agencies.

GSA Launches Market Research RFI on Reseller Markups

GSA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research related to pricing under Special Item Number 33411. The RFI is intended to help GSA determine what additional information may be needed to substantiate proposed pricing and assess whether reseller markups applied to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) pricing result in fair and reasonable pricing.

The primary objectives of this initiative are to:

Enhance the government’s understanding of the reseller marketplace;
Align contracting operations with commercial practices and standards to boost efficiency and effectiveness;
Enable industry to clearly propose and communicate the value of their offerings; and
Provide contracting officers with the necessary information and tools to more accurately and efficiently evaluate proposed pricing, ensuring the government secures fair and reasonable pricing for this substantial category of spending.

According to GSA, the RFI is designed to clarify how resellers add value, the impact on pricing, and how resellers support the government’s ability to meet its requirements.

Responses to the RFI will be accepted through February 9, 2026 via the Market Research As a Service (MRAS) platform. GSA noted that the RFI is being issued as a courtesy to industry. While all relevant comments will be considered, the agency does not plan to issue formal responses to submissions or related inquiries. The Coalition would like to emphasize that is important for resellers to respond directly to GSA’s RFI in order to demonstrate the value they provide to the federal marketplace.

In addition, the Coalition plans to submit a letter to GSA commenting on these topics. Members interested in providing feedback for the letter should email Joseph Snyderwine at JSnyderwine@thecgp.org by COB February 2.

OMB Rescinds Software Security Attestation Requirements

MeriTalk reports that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has formally rescinded two memos that required federal agencies to obtain software security attestations from software producers. OMB memos M-22-18 and M-23-16 had directed agencies to collect a producer’s self-attestation that its software was developed in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance, including the S ecure Software Development Framework.

In announcing the rescission, OMB Director Russell Vought stated that the policies imposed “unproven and burdensome software accounting processes that prioritized compliance over genuine security investments.” The original memos were issued as part of broader efforts to strengthen software supply chain security and led to the development of governmentwide tools such as a secure software development attestation form and a repository for related artifacts hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Under the updated policy, agencies are no longer required to collect the standardized secure software attestation. However, OMB emphasized that agencies may continue using those resources at their discretion. Agencies are still expected to maintain comprehensive inventories of software and hardware and to develop assurance policies and processes aligned with their risk assessments and mission needs. Agencies may also choose to include contract terms requiring a software bill of materials (SBOM) upon request.

GSA Seeks Industry Input on Next Iteration of 2GIT BPA

GSA has posted a new RFI for the 2nd Generation Information Technology (IT) Products (2GIT) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) on GSA eBuy under RFI1793068. The agency is seeking industry feedback on potential savings and discounts for government customers, as well as input on the planned scope of the follow-on vehicle.

Responses will help inform GSA’s development of the next iteration of a governmentwide acquisition solution for IT products and select services. The RFI is open through February 2, 2026.

The current 2GIT BPAs are designated Best-in-Class and provide agencies with streamlined access to mission-critical IT hardware and software from a pool of more than 70 industry partners, including over 50 small businesses. The program is designed to align with current procurement policies, incorporate best practices such as collecting prices-paid data, and track savings achieved through the vehicle.

VA Plans New Cloud-Based Enterprise Resource Planning System

Washington Technology reports that a recently published sources sought notice reveals that the VA plans to acquire a new, cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The planned solution would replace the VA’s current software-as-a-service platform used to manage departmentwide operations.

According to the notice, the VA’s requirements have expanded, and the new ERP system is intended to support a broader range of functions. In addition to core IT service management, the system would cover IT asset management, IT business management, human resources, and support for healthcare delivery. A key requirement is ensuring continued operational support for the VA’s VistA and electronic health record (EHR) systems.

The VA emphasized that the desired solution should provide increased automation, strong security compliance, and flexibility to adapt to evolving policy and legislative requirements. The department anticipates an initial six-month base period, followed by up to four option years, with work performed under an enterprise software license subscription model. Responses to the sources sought notice were due January 27.

National Design Studio Plans Overhaul of Federal Websites

Federal News Network reports that the White House’s National Design Studio, led by U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, plans to modernize roughly 27,000 federal “.gov” websites, many of which are outdated and not mobile-friendly. Created by an Executive Order in 2025, the initiative seeks to refresh existing sites, eliminate unnecessary ones, and improve the government’s digital presence as part of the President’s Management Agenda. The studio has already launched several policy-focused websites and is planning major updates by July 4. Still in a hiring phase, the team expects to grow to about 30 designers and engineers to overhaul federal digital services and set new standards for government design.

DHS Preparing to Launch New Enterprise Cloud Contract

Washington Technology reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has outlined plans for a new enterprise-wide cloud contract, Cumulus, designed to centralize and streamline how DHS and its components acquire commercial cloud services. The contract will feature a mix of competitive and non-competitive awards and will cover infrastructure, platform, and software-as-a-service, along with professional services, marketplace solutions, and training. The initiative is intended to improve visibility into cloud spending, achieve economies of scale, and promote more consistent cloud acquisition practices across the department.

DHS plans to release the solicitation on February 4, 2026, and make awards within the current quarter. The contract will run through March 2031.

House Passes Bills to Support SBA Use of AI for Small Businesses

The House this week passed two bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening SBA’s efforts to help small businesses understand and use artificial intelligence (AI). The AI for Main Street Act and the AI Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises (AI-WISE) Act now move to the Senate. A companion version of the AI for Main Street Act has already been introduced by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

Under the AI for Main Street Act, SBA’s Small Business Development Centers would provide guidance, training, and outreach to small businesses on AI-related topics. The AI-WISE Act directs SBA to develop and publish educational resources and best practice guidance to help small businesses use AI responsibly and effectively. These materials would be made available through existing SBA platforms.

Legal Corner: DOJ Announces Record-Breaking False Claims Act Recoveries in FY 2025: What the Stats Portend for 2026

Authored by Jennifer A. Short and Oliver E. Jury; Blank Rome LLP

Fiscal Year 2025 (“FY 2025”) yielded a historic high of over $6.8 billion in False Claims Act (“FCA”) settlements and judgments, underscoring the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) aggressive enforcement. DOJ’s annual report, released January 16, 2026, showed that healthcare fraud matters again dominated the lion’s share of the moneys recovered, accounting for more than $5.7 billion, and reaffirming the sector’s centrality to FCA priorities. Qui tam lawsuits also retained an out-sized influence, representing approximately $5.3 billion in recoveries for both intervened ($3.0 billion) and declined ($2.3 billion) cases. On the flip side, that means the government recovered some $1.5 billion without the aid of an underlying whistleblower complaint. The pipeline of new cases looks robust moving forward: whistleblowers filed a record 1,297 new qui tam suits, and DOJ opened 401 new investigations.

The Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative Delivers

Cybersecurity enforcement continued to mature, owing in part to DOJ’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, which was first announced in 2021. In the past year, $52 million was recovered across nine cybersecurity-related FCA settlements. Total recoveries have more than tripled in each of the past two years. With Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”) regulations now firmly in place, federal contractors and grant recipients must pay close attention to compliance. Although individual cyber-related settlements are modest ($5.77M on average) compared to certain headline-catching healthcare verdicts, these resolutions signal a clear intent to impose liability.

The year’s published resolutions included allegations concerning the veracity of compliance certifications as well as product security, including, for example, resolutions with HNFS/Centene ($11.2 million; non‑qui tam), Illumina ($9.8 million; qui tam), and MORSECORP ($4.6 million; qui tam). Grantees also faced exposure for missing baseline controls, with Penn State resolving for $1.25 million, illustrating a breadth of scrutiny that encompassed both contracting and grants.

Pandemic Program Fraud Enforcement Continues

Pandemic-related enforcement remained active, with FY 2025 recording more than 200 FCA settlements and judgments totaling over $230 million. Cumulative civil fraud recoveries now exceed $820 million. Enforcement matters in this area extended well beyond Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan fraud. For example, Delta Air Lines resolved allegations that it had violated Payroll Support Program conditions for a $8.1 million payment. DOJ also pursued medical providers for COVID-related billing abuses, as reflected in settlements with Vault Medical Services ($8 million) and Rapid Health ($8.2 million)—both government-initiated matters (i.e., no qui tam).

Customs, Tariffs, and Trade Fraud: A Growing FCA Frontier

Trade‑related FCA enforcement accelerated, supported by DOJ’s announcement of a cross‑agency Trade Fraud Task Force in August 2025. Emphasizing the government’s renewed focus on this area, DOJ announced FCA resolutions involving misclassification, country‑of‑origin manipulation, and other disguise schemes to evade duties. Settlements highlight different schemes across an array of industries, including Allied Stone ($12.4 million; imported quartz), Evolution Flooring ($8.1 million; wooden flooring), and Grosfillex ($4.9 million; extruded aluminum). In addition to examining fees and duties related to foreign products, DOJ also resolved allegations of improper use of foreign labor, as previously reported on here.

In December 2025 (i.e., early Fiscal Year 2026), DOJ announced an FCA resolution with Ceratizit USA for its alleged evasion of tungsten carbide duties totaling $54.4 million, the largest such settlement to date. The combination of coordinated interagency attention and significant recoveries indicates that customs and tariff cases are becoming a durable enforcement lane, particularly where importers leverage complex supply chains or sensitive classifications.

Cooperation Credit and Compliance Remediation: When (and How) It Pays

In last week’s release, DOJ reiterated that timely self-disclosure, meaningful cooperation, and concrete remediation can yield credits in the form of reduced penalties or damage multiples. Several FY 2025 settlements reflected such credits, offering practical guidance on what “meaningful” cooperation looks like. Credited conduct included quantifying losses, sharing internal investigative findings (unknown to the government), and implementing remediation such as strengthening compliance programs or separating culpable employees.

DOJ’s messaging, per usual, encourages proactive compliance and may influence how companies stage their internal responses to potential FCA exposure. A growing body of settlements suggests that DOJ means what it says in this regard. Organizations that quickly scope issues, preserve and analyze relevant data, and present credible remediation steps are better positioned to avoid worst‑case outcomes, both with DOJ and in collateral settings.

What the Statistics Suggest For 2026 Priorities and Resolutions

DOJ’s articulated focus areas—healthcare (with particular attention to Medicare Advantage), procurement and grants, cybersecurity obligations, pandemic‑fund integrity, and customs duties—provide a clear roadmap for 2026. The convergence of record recoveries and record filings suggests sustained resources and appetite for complex fraud theories, including data‑driven targeting and coordinated, cross‑program investigations.

At the same time, DOJ’s public signaling regarding cooperation credits points to a parallel emphasis on incentivizing robust compliance cultures alongside deterrence. For companies operating in federal healthcare, procurement, research, or global supply chains, the practical takeaway is twofold: invest in control frameworks aligned to certification and data integrity risks and be prepared to operationalize a credible disclosure and remediation playbook if issues emerge.

For more information or assistance, please contact Jennifer A. Short, Oliver E. Jury, or another member of Blank Rome’s Government Contracts or White Collar Defense & Investigations group.

VA Announces Record $4.8 Billion Investment in Facility Improvements

The VA announced that it will invest $4.8 billion in FY26 to modernize, repair, and improve health care facilities through the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) program. According to the VA, this marks the largest single-year NRM investment in the department’s history. The NRM program funds one-time maintenance projects that are not part of routine facility upkeep. These projects focus on significant repairs, replacements, and upgrades needed to maintain operational capability and support the delivery of health care services.

In announcing the investment, VA Secretary Doug Collins said the funding will support improvements to facilities, equipment, and infrastructure that directly impact patient care. The department noted that projects will be identified and approved on a quarterly basis, with the first quarter of FY26 already accounting for $468 million in planned work.

The FY26 funding includes:

$2.8 billion to repair and upgrade outdated infrastructure systems in medical facilities;
$1 billion for maintenance and modernization of EHR systems, including facility preparation for future EHR updates;
$500 million for major building upgrades such as elevators, electrical systems, and boiler plants; and
$500 million to modernize medical centers to support current and future care delivery.

The VA said that these investments are part of broader efforts to sustain and modernize its healthcare infrastructure to meet evolving clinical and operational needs.

Make the Most of Your Coalition Membership!

Coalition membership offers a variety of opportunities to stay engaged, informed, and connected across the federal procurement community. One of the most impactful ways to get involved is by joining Coalition committees and working groups, where members collaborate with peers and help shape the Coalition’s policy priorities. For a list of current committees and working groups, and to join, please contact Madyson Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

In addition to conferences, members are encouraged to stay engaged by attending Coalition webinars, participating in committee meetings, and joining us at trainings and events throughout the year. These opportunities provide valuable insights, collaboration with peers, and ongoing engagement with government and industry leaders. For more information or assistance with registration, please contact Madyson Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

Members can also take advantage of member-only visibility opportunities, including the ability to share job postings in the Friday Flash. This benefit allows organizations to promote open positions directly to the Coalition’s membership base. To include a job posting in the Friday Flash, please contact Michael Hanafin at mhanafin@thecgp.org.

Finally, members may request targeted data support related to federal procurement programs, such as the VA or GSA Schedules. For inquiries about data availability and scope, please contact Michael Hanafin at mhanafin@thecgp.org.

If you have questions about your current membership benefits, or would like to discuss upgrading your membership level, please contact Matt Cahill at mcahill@thecgp.org.

Recording Available: OASIS+ Phase II Webinar

The Coalition hosted a webinar, OASIS+ Phase II: New Domains. Continuous Enrollment. Bigger Possibilities, on January 27 with Baker Tilly’s Leo Alvarez, Principal, and Dylan Schreiner, Government Contractor Solutions Senior Manager.

GSA is preparing to reopen all six OASIS+ solicitations under a continuous enrollment model, introducing five new service domains that broaden opportunities for professional services contractors. The update reflects Executive Order 14240 and GSA’s broader efforts to simplify acquisition and consolidate spend across the federal marketplace.

During the webinar, Leo and Dylan provided a practical overview of what contractors can expect in Phase II of OASIS+. They discussed the upcoming pre-amendment notice, draft scorecards, and key strategies firms can use to strengthen their positioning. The session also covered the implications of the five new domains, how to prepare for continuous enrollment, and teaming and qualification best practices for both incumbents and prospective entrants.

The recording is now available on the Member Portal. For any assistance, please contact Mady Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

The Coalition thanks Leo and Dylan for sharing the latest updates on OASIS+ Phase II with our members.

Recording Available: Implications of the Executive Order on Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting Webinar

The Coalition hosted a webinar, Implications of the Executive Order on Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting, on January 28 with Jonathan Aronie, Anne Perry, and Ryan Roberts of Sheppard Mullin.

The President’s January 7, 2026 Executive Order, “Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting,” is expected to have wide-ranging implications for defense contractors of all sizes, including prime contractors and suppliers. The order signals a renewed focus on how defense contracting supports operational readiness and may drive changes in oversight, compliance expectations, and contractor risk profiles.

During the webinar, Jonathan, Anne, and Ryan walked through key provisions of the executive order and discussed its potential impact across the defense industrial base. They provided a practical framework to help companies proactively assess and mitigate risk, along with insights relevant to a range of corporate functions, including Legal, Contracts, Finance, Executive Compensation, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Executive Leadership, and Boards of Directors.

The recording is now available on the Member Portal. For any assistance, please contact Mady Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

The Coalition thanks Jonathan, Anne, and Ryan for sharing their expertise on the Executive Order with our members.

Recording Available: Commerciality Considerations of DoW’s Memo on “Transforming the Defense Acquisition System into the Warfighting Acquisition System” Webinar

The Coalition hosted a webinar, Commerciality Considerations of DoW’s Memo on “Transforming the Defense Acquisition System into the Warfighting Acquisition System,” on January 29 with Peter Terenzio of Covington and Mike Tomaselli of Chess Consulting.

In November, the Department of War (DoW) released a memo outlining its initiative to transform the defense acquisition system into a more agile “warfighting acquisition system.” The memo emphasizes expanding the defense industrial base and advancing a “commercial first” strategy, with potential implications for how the government approaches commercial products, services, and contracting methods.

During the webinar, Peter and Mike examined the memo’s major themes and discussed the regulatory framework governing commercial contracting. Their presentation explored how the initiative could influence acquisition strategies and contractor positioning, particularly in light of ongoing policy developments.

Topics discussed included:

Key themes and objectives identified in the memo;
FAR Part 12 vs. FAR Part 15 (commercial vs. negotiated acquisitions);
Definitions of commerciality under FAR 2.101;
Commercial item determinations and DCMA’s role; and
Alignment with the FAR Overhaul and proposed CAS changes.

The recording is now available on the Member Portal. For any assistance, please contact Mady Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

The Coalition thanks Peter and Mike for sharing insights into DoW’s memo with our members.

2025 Small Business Year in Review, Feb. 4

The Coalition will host a 2025 Small Business Year in Review webinar on February 4 from 12:00-1:00 PM (ET)! The event features industry experts David Black, Partner at Holland and Knight, Jon Williams, Partner at PilieroMazza, and Ken Dodds, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the Coalition, who will provide insights on the regulatory changes and decisions of the past year that impact both large and small business contractors.

During the event, Black, Dodds, and Williams will cover a wide range of topics, including observations on:

Small Business Administration (SBA) updates;
Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) cases;
Government Accountability Office (GAO)/Court of Federal Claims (COFC) decisions; and
Part 19 of the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul

Small and large businesses are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions in advance of the event, please contact Joseph Snyderwine at Jsnyderwine@thecgp.org.

To register, click here. For assistance with registration, please contact Mady Whiting at Mady.Whiting@thecgp.org.

GSA Contract Management Best Practices, Feb. 5

Join us on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET) for an insightful webinar on GSA Contract Management Best Practices, led by Sergey Bogol, VP of GSA Contract Management Operations at Price Reporter.

With over 20 years of hands-on experience in supporting GSA contractors, Price Reporter experts will share strategies that successful contractors use to grow and thrive in their GSA business as we move into 2026. In this webinar, Sergey will provide you with a practical contract management playbook centered on repeatable routines designed to protect your contracts and enhance performance. Their playbook is founded on three core pillars that ensure long-term success with GSA:

Best Practices for Compliance: Learn how to maintain compliance effectively.
Strategies for Business Growth: Discover ways to expand your business with government contracts.
Automation and Scaling Techniques: Find out how to automate processes for next-level growth.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your GSA contract management skills!

To register, click here. For assistance with registration, please contact Mady Whiting at Mady.Whiting@thecgp.org.

Save the Date: Joseph P. Caggiano Memorial Golf Tournament, Aug. 19

The Coalition’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament will take place on August 19, 2026 at the beautiful Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, MD. This event attracts a dedicated group of players of all skill levels eager to enjoy some friendly competition and a round of golf with friends and colleagues while supporting a wonderful cause for our veterans.

Proceeds from this year’s golf tournament will once again support Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH). PPH improves the lives of veterans and wounded service members facing mobility challenges and trauma-related conditions through assistance dogs and canine-assisted therapeutic programs. To date, PPH has supported over 20,000 veterans and wounded service members across the country.

The tournament also supports The Coalition Endowed Scholarship Fund at The George Washington University Law School. This fund assists qualified veterans pursuing graduate studies in U.S. government procurement, helping them build careers in federal acquisition and continue their service to the nation in a new way.

Several sponsorship opportunities are available for the Joseph P. Caggiano Memorial Golf Tournament. Learn more about these opportunities here. We look forward to seeing you in August!

Thank You to Our Current Sponsors