Friday Flash 10/16/2026

FAR & Beyond Blog

Registration Open for VA Pharmaceutical Industry Day! Plus, More November Events Ahead

Registration is now open for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Pharmaceutical Industry Day on November 20! The event will cap off an exciting week of federal procurement events at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia, with the Coalition’s AInAcquisition Exchange Forum on November 17 and Fall Training Conference: The Acquisition Exchange on November 18–19.

With just over a month to go, we encourage members to register for these upcoming opportunities to engage with government and industry leaders on the latest developments impacting the federal marketplace.

November 20: VA Pharmaceutical Industry Day – Registration Open!

The VA Enterprise Procurement Office, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC), in collaboration with the Coalition, will host a Pharmaceutical Industry Day on Friday, November 20, at the same location where the Coalition’s Fall Training Conference is taking place.

This one-day, in-person event will bring together government and industry leaders to discuss current developments, challenges, and opportunities in federal pharmaceutical procurement. Topics will include policy changes, emerging procurement priorities, and efforts to strengthen collaboration between VA and its pharmaceutical industry partners.

Registration is now open! Due to limited capacity, attendance is restricted to two representatives per company, and registrations will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested attendees are encouraged to register here.

Questions regarding the event’s subject matter may be submitted in advance to Regina McGregor, Director of Business Development & Small Business Technical Advisor, EPO, at Regina.McGregor@va.gov.

November 17: AInAcquisition Exchange Forum – The Future is Now

The Coalition’s inaugural AInAcquisition Exchange Forum: The Future is Now will kick off the week’s programming on Tuesday, November 17.

The half-day forum will bring together government and industry leaders to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in federal acquisition. Sessions will focus on the General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) AI strategy and the road ahead, the role of AI in federal IT management, and the latest developments in AI acquisition policy.

The Coalition thanks SAIC for sponsoring the Forum.

Registration for the AInAcquisition Exchange Forum is complimentary for Fall Training Conference registrants. Those already registered for the conference can update their registration to indicate that they plan to attend.

To register for the AInAcquisition Exchange Forum, click here.

November 18–19: Fall Training Conference – The Acquisition Exchange

The Coalition’s 2026 Fall Training Conference: The Acquisition Exchange will follow the AInAcquisiton Forum on November 18–19, bringing together government and industry leaders for two days of discussions on the policies, programs, and priorities impacting federal procurement.

Day One, What’s Next for Interagency Contracting? will focus on government-wide acquisition, including GSA’s reorganization, interagency contracting programs, and the latest policy and legislative developments. Former Congressman Tom Davis will deliver a keynote address examining the results of the 2026 election and their implications for the federal marketplace.

Day Two, What’s Next for Healthcare Procurement? will feature discussions on VA acquisition operations and policy, federal healthcare priorities, medical logistics, and developments impacting healthcare contractors. Invited speakers are from the VA, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Indian Health Service and the Hill.

Attendees can view the full Day One agenda and Day Two agenda.

The Fall Training Conference mobile app is now live! Sponsored by Veterans Healthcare Supply Solutions (VHSS), the app provides attendees with a convenient way to personalize their schedules, connect with fellow attendees, and explore conference resources. The app also features Coalition healthcare consults, recent letters and comments, FAR & Beyond blog posts, government organizational charts, sponsor resources, and photo albums from past events. Speaker presentations and additional resources will be added as they become available.

Registered attendees are encouraged to access the app ahead of the conference to begin exploring its features and resources.

To register for the Fall Training Conference, click here. For assistance, please contact Mady Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Fairview Park Marriott next month!

Fall Training Conference Mobile App Now Available!

We’re excited to announce that the official app for the 2026 Fall Training Conference: The Acquisition Exchange is now live.

Through the conference app, you can personalize your schedule, build your profile, connect with fellow attendees, and access additional resources, enhanced networking tools, gamification, discussion boards, and more!

How to Access the App
If you have already registered for the conference, simply follow these instructions to download the app and log in. If you have not yet registered for the Fall Training Conference, be sure to reserve your spot here. All future registrants will receive app instructions within one business day. If you have any questions, please contact mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

Last Call! Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available for the 2026 Fall Training Conference

Make Your Brand Stand Out at the 2026 Fall Training Conference! Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

Showcase your company at the Coalition’s 2026 Fall Training Conference: The Acquisition Exchange, taking place November 18–19 at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia.

The Fall Training Conference brings together leaders and professionals from across the government contracting community for two days of timely discussions, direct engagement, and valuable networking.

Put your company in front of industry peers, decision-makers, and high-level acquisition officials at our upcoming conference. Sponsorship provides a valuable opportunity to increase brand visibility, strengthen relationships, showcase your organization, and connect directly with potential customers and partners.

With a variety of sponsorship opportunities still available, your company can build its presence throughout one of the Coalition’s signature annual events.

Don’t miss the opportunity to put your brand front and center at the 2026 Fall Training Conference! review the 2026 Fall Training Conference Sponsorship Prospectus for additional information. 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 Sponsors

Hear Contracting, Election and Legislative Updates at the Fall Training Conference

Join the Coalition for the 2026 Fall Training Conference: The Acquisition Exchange on November 18–19 at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia, to hear timely insights on the 2026 election results, federal budget priorities, and legislative developments impacting the government contracting community.

On November 18, former Congressman Tom Davis, Partner at Holland & Knight, will deliver the opening keynote address, “Post Election: What Happened, Where Are We, and Where Are We Going?” Davis will examine the 2026 election results and their implications for the political and policy landscape moving forward.

Attendees will also hear from Moshe Schwartz, Coalition Defense Fellow and President of Etherton and Associates, during “Budget & Legislative Updates.” Schwartz will discuss the latest developments on Capitol Hill and federal budget and legislative issues impacting government contractors.

Schwartz will return on November 19 to kick off the conference’s healthcare program with “Post Election Brief: Budget & Legislative Developments on the Hill,” highlighting the election results and key budgetary and legislative developments impacting federal healthcare procurement.

Don’t miss these opportunities to hear from leading experts on the issues impacting the federal marketplace!

Attendees can view the full Day One agenda and Day Two agenda.

To register for the Fall Training Conference, click here. For any assistance with registration, please contact Mady Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

GSA Removes 244 Chinese Made Products from AbilityOne

NextGov reports that the General Services Administration (GSA) has removed 244 Chinese made products from the AbilityOne Program’s government procurement list. According to an unnamed official, this is part of a “first wave of action, with more to come in the future.” The move follows GSA’s calls for the U.S. AbilityOne Commission to verify country-of-origin claims on its procurement list after reporting that it found Chinese products such as flash drives, docking ports and portable charging packs on the list. GSA is requiring the commission to ensure all products have the correct country-of-origin and to document its plans to complete continuous reviews by November 12.

GAO Urges Labor to Resume Disability Compliance Audits of Federal Contractors

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has largely stopped routine audits used to assess federal contractor compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits disability discrimination. The watchdog warned that the pause reduces the Department of Labor’s ability to monitor contractor compliance and has created confusion about which requirements remain in effect.

GAO also found that OFCCP’s workforce fell from nearly 500 employees at the start of fiscal year 2025 to fewer than 80 in fiscal year 2026. The watchdog recommended that OFCCP resume certification of contractor affirmative action programs and Section 503 audits, but the agency said it does not plan to restart those activities at this time.

Pentagon Seeks to Expand Contractor Access to Classified Programs

Federal News Network reports that the Department of War (DOW) is pursuing new initiatives to help small businesses and non-traditional contractors participate in classified programs. The effort aims to address longstanding security clearance barriers and broaden access to advanced defense work.

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has launched a pilot to accelerate contractor access to classified opportunities and is exploring shared secure facilities to reduce the cost of performing classified work. Defense officials say the initiatives are intended to expand the industrial base, increase competition, and drive innovation.

Legal Corner:The Protest Clock May Start Sooner Than You Think in a FAR 8.4 Procurement: GAO Dismisses Untimely FSS Protest in Hendall Inc.

The Legal Corner provides the procurement community with an opportunity to share insights and comments on Legal issues of the day. The comments herein do not necessarily reflect the views of The Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement.

By Evan Williams & David O’Neill on October 8, 2026

GAO’s bid protest timeliness rules are strict. Even a strong protest can be dismissed if it is not filed within the deadline established by GAO regulations. In certain procurements, required debriefings can affect protest deadlines while voluntary debriefings or brief explanations in other types of procurements do not toll deadlines.

In Hendall Inc., B-423714.5 (Oct. 1, 2026), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) dismissed a bid protest as untimely because it was filed more than 10 days after the protester knew, or should have known, its grounds for protest. The protester argued that its protest was timely because it was filed within 10 days of the agency’s “brief explanation” of the award decision. GAO rejected that argument and ruled that the protest clock started earlier, when Hendall received notice of the award.

The decision is a reminder that a contractor cannot assume that a post-award explanation tolls the GAO deadline. The debriefing exception applies only when the procurement is conducted on the basis of competitive proposals and the debriefing is required. For a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) procurement, a requested brief explanation does not itself reset the clock. Below, we discuss the case and offer practical guidance for contractors who receive a notice of non-award.

Hendall Inc., B-423714.5 (Oct. 1, 2026)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a request for quotations (RFQ) under the General Services Administration’s (GSA) FSS program, using the streamlined ordering procedures of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 8.4, for management of its Comprehensive Error Rate Testing program. The procurement had a long history of protests and corrective action.

After Hendall was excluded from the competitive range, it protested to GAO in August 2025. In that protest, Hendall argued the agency conducted an impermissible price realism analysis. CMS took corrective action and reopened discussions with Hendall. In November 2025, CMS selected Serco, Inc. for award. Hendall protested again on December 1, 2025, and GAO dismissed that protest after another vendor filed a related protest at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC). CMS then took corrective action in the COFC protest and reevaluated the quotations. On May 28, 2026, CMS notified Hendall that it had not been selected for award. Hendall requested a brief explanation, which CMS provided on June 16. Hendall filed its protest with GAO on June 26, 2026.

GAO found Hendall’s protest untimely, applying the strict timeliness rules in its bid protest regulations. Under GAO’s bid protest regulations, protests not based on alleged improprieties in the solicitation itself must be filed within 10 days after the protester knew or should have known the basis for protest, whichever is earlier.[1] There is one important exception. For procurements conducted on the basis of competitive proposals where a debriefing is requested and required, such as FAR part 15 negotiated procurements and, in some cases, FAR subpart 16.5 task order competitions, a protest must be filed within 10 days after the debriefing is held.

Because CMS conducted the procurement under FAR subpart 8.4, the FAR part 15 debriefing requirements did not apply. In FSS procurements, the FAR requires agencies to provide only a “brief explanation of the basis” for the award decision, and only upon request. GAO explained that a brief explanation is not a required debriefing and is no different from any other source of information about the award for timeliness purposes. As a result, GAO held that Hendall’s protest clock began on May 28, 2026, when Hendall received notice that it had not been selected for award.

Hendall argued that it had no basis for a “knowledgeable or supportable” protest until it received the June 16 brief explanation. GAO disagreed, noting that a protester “need not await perfect knowledge” and may not delay filing until it can detail every possible protest ground. GAO further observed that Hendall already knew of both of its protest grounds—challenges to the agency’s price realism and tradeoff analyses—because it had raised them in its prior protests.

Key Takeaways for Contractors

GAO’s decision in Hendall underscores the importance of understanding the deadline for protest and whether a required debriefing can extend it. Contractors should keep the following points in mind:

Consult counsel immediately after receiving a notice of non-award to assess timeliness, debriefing options, and potential protest grounds. Experienced counsel can review the timeline, including the award notice, which may have already started the protest clock. Counsel can then advise on whether to request a debriefing, key questions, protest options and forums, and help evaluate the strength of potential protest grounds early.
Understand whether a debriefing is required. This distinction can determine whether a protest survives. In FAR part 15 procurements, and in some FAR subpart 16.5 task order competitions, a required debriefing that is timely requested can extend the GAO filing deadline to 10 days after the debriefing is held.[2] By contrast, voluntary debriefings, brief explanations, and other information provided by agencies do not extend protest deadlines.
Do not wait for additional information if you already know your protest grounds. GAO does not require perfect knowledge before a protest is filed. If the award notice, or prior protests and corrective action, already reveal the basis for a challenge, the 10-day clock is likely already running

The bottom line is that contractors considering a protest should contact counsel immediately when an unfavorable award notice arrives. This is especially important in an FSS or other non-FAR part 15 procurement, where the protest clock has likely started and time is limited.

[1] 4 C.F.R. § 21.2(a)(2)

[2] The automatic Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) stay deadline is separate from GAO’s 10-day timeliness rule. In a post-award context, a GAO protest must generally be filed within 5 days after a required debriefing in order to trigger a CICA stay. 31 USC § 3553(d)(4).

Healthcare Spotlight: VA FSS Releases FY2026 Q3 Newsletter

The VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Service released its FY2026 Q3 newsletter with updates on FSS contracting and acquisition modernization. Highlights include the next FSS solicitation refresh expected early FY2027, continued implementation of Evergreen contracts, and questions and answers from the Coalition’s Aug. 26 FSS Industry Day.

The newsletter also highlights the establishment of the Enterprise Procurement Office (EPO), which is intended to better align procurement operations across VA and strengthen support for acquisition customers and industry partners. According to James Booth, FSS Chief, VA is leveraging Evergreen contracts and other modernization efforts to strengthen long-term acquisition planning and increase use of FSS contract vehicles across the department.

TMF Invests in Four AI Projects Totaling $83 Million

FedScoop reports that the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) updated its website to reflect four new investments totaling about $83.4 million. The TMF provides funding to agencies for system modernization efforts. Savings accrued from the effort are used to replenish the funds. TMF Acting Executive Director Jessie Posilkin specifically requested proposals “faster permitting; and the fast and responsible adoption of generative AI” over the summer. All four of the following TMF investments implement artificial intelligence (AI) powered tools into agencies’ workflows.

The Department of State will invest $17.3 million in implementing agentic AI into help desk processes, research and planning activities, and other routine work.
The Department of Agriculture will invest $10 million into consolidating ten different infrastructure review systems into a single, AI-enabled platform.
The Department of Agriculture will also invest $52.6 million, replacing the agency’s “high risk” legacy payroll system with a cloud-based, AI-enabled platform.
The Department of Transportation is integrating AI with its Aviation Complaint, Enforcement, and Reporting System.

FedRAMP Highlights FY 2026 Accomplishments and Next Steps

The latest Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) blog highlights the program’s efforts to overhaul various processes in FY2026 and shares high level goals for FY2027. The following summarize FedRAMP’s achievements in FY2026:

FedRAMP has been working since the start of FY 2025 to implement OMB Memorandum M-24-15, which directs the program to move toward continuous monitoring of cloud services by leveraging commercial solutions. In FY2026, FedRAMP took a major step towards this goal by publishing Consolidated Rules for the program. These rules will govern the program until the end of FY2028.
The FedRAMP program certified 26 new FedRAMP 20x certifications and 66 legacy Rev5 certifications in FY2026. FedRAMP will stop processing Rev5 applications on June 11, 2027.
The FedRAMP team launched a Lost Sponsor/Ready Conversion for cloud service providers with in-process applications impacted by recent acquisition changes. This added another 40 FedRAMP certifications to the FY2026 total.
FedRAMP engaged with industry throughout the year; highlights included the first FedRAMP day event and 21 requests for comment.
The FedRAMP team also expanded by four individuals.

Looking ahead to FY2027, FedRAMP plans to build a FedRAMP 20x certification pathway for Class D certifications and a ruleset for self-hosted services. The program will also begin transitioning current Rev5 certifications into FedRAMP 20x certifications. Finally, the program will establish a FedRAMP Agency Cloud Use Framework to ensure agencies can rapidly adopt FedRAMP 20x offerings. In addition, continuing education is a major goal for FedRAMP moving forward, as reported by NextGov/FCW. FedRAMP Security Director Nicole Thompson recently stated that “People are just hungry for what is the ground truth… because Google [search] is full of complaints from old FedRAMP guidance.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has reportedly been asking FedRAMP various questions to accelerate their adoption of FedRAMP 20x certifications, emphasizing the importance of an Agency Cloud Use Framework.

Because FedRAMp 20x utilizes real time monitoring and machine-readable content, agencies will need to ensure they have the tools, expertise, and capabilities to utilize FedRAMP 20x certifications.

DHA ICD-10 Data Now Available to Members

The Coalition has received a new Defense Health Agency (DHA) data set covering ICD-10 diagnosis codes for calendar year 2025.

The data identifies whether services were performed through direct care at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) or through the contracted private-sector TRICARE network.

Note: The DHA data is provided in aggregate and does not identify individual Military Treatment Facilities.

Members can request a customized report by providing the ICD-10 codes most relevant to their business. The report will show the 2025 diagnosis volumes for each requested code, broken out between direct care MTFs and the private-sector TRICARE network.

If you are interested in requesting a report or learning more, please contact Michael Hanafin at mhanafin@thecgp.org.

AInAcquisition Exchange Forum: The Future is Now, November 17

Artificial intelligence is already transforming how federal agencies operate, manage technology, and approach acquisition. As AI adoption continues to expand across government, new opportunities and considerations are emerging for both government and industry.

On November 17, the Coalition invites you to join us for its inaugural AInAcquisition Exchange Forum: The Future is Now, a half-day event bringing together government and industry leaders to discuss the evolving role of AI across the federal marketplace.

Featured Sessions

GSA’s AI Strategy and the Road Ahead
Explore GSA’s approach to AI, including the agency’s evolving strategies and priorities for leveraging the technology to support its mission.

IT Management and the Role of AI
Examine how federal agencies are incorporating AI into their broader IT strategies to support operations, improve efficiency, and advance mission objectives.

The Evolving AI Acquisition Landscape
Discuss the latest acquisition policy developments and considerations shaping how the federal government acquires and adopts AI.

View the Full Agenda

Thank You to Our Sponsor!
SAIC

The AInAcquisition Exchange Forum takes place immediately before the Coalition’s 2026 Fall Training Conference, November 18–19, at the Fairview Park Marriott.

Registration for the November 17 forum is complimentary for all Fall Training Conference registrants! Already registered for the Fall Training Conference? Simply log in and update your registration to indicate that you plan to attend the forum.

For any questions about registration for the AInAcquisition Exchange Forum, please contact Mady Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.

Coalition Holiday Reception, December 15

The holiday season will be here before we know it! Join us on December 15 at the Tower Club in Tysons Corner for our annual holiday reception from 5:00–8:00 PM (ET).

As we wrap up another event-filled year, we invite you to take a break to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished together with your Coalition friends and colleagues. Enjoy an evening of food, beverages, and good company as we toast to the year ahead.

Thank You to Our Sponsor!
SAIC

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

Note: This is a member-only event. Registration is complimentary but required for food and beverage purposes.