Thought No. 13: Oversight of the procurement system—is there balance?

Management - Thought No. 13: Oversight of the procurement system—is there balance?

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!    As the end of the year approaches, it is time to finish the “Thirteen Thoughts for 2013.”  On January 14th of this year, I introduced the “Thirteen Thoughts for 2013.” Throughout 2013, this blog has tackled/addressed significant procurement issues, which can be found here.   Now it is time to address

Friday Flash, 12.06.13

FAR and Beyond Blog Welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!    As the end of the year approaches, it is time to finish the “Thirteen Thoughts for 2013.”  On January 14th of this year, I introduced the “Thirteen Thoughts for 2013.” Throughout 2013, this blog has tackled/addressed significant procurement issues, which can

FAR & Beyond Blog - Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. The big turkey dinner followed up with NFL football (as one of several thousand shareholders, I will be cheering on the Green Bay Packers this Thursday!). However, over the years I have come to appreciate the thanks in Thanksgiving. Thanks for my family and my friends. Thanks for

Friday Flash, 11.26.13

FAR and Beyond Blog Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. The big turkey dinner followed up with NFL football (as one of several thousand shareholders, I will be cheering on the Green Bay Packers this Thursday!). However, over the years I have come to appreciate the thanks in Thanksgiving. Thanks for my family and

Other Direct Costs (ODC) - ODCs and the Multiple Award Schedule program

This week’s comment was to focus on five steps to improve requirements development and procurement outcomes for the American people.  It will have to wait till December.  A recent article in Federal Times entitled “GSA exploring cost-reimbursable option to Supply Schedule” has drawn me back, like a moth to a flame, to other direct costs (ODCs) and the Multiple

Friday Flash, 11.26.13

FAR and Beyond Blog Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. The big turkey dinner followed up with NFL football (as one of several thousand shareholders, I will be cheering on the Green Bay Packers this Thursday!). However, over the years I have come to appreciate the thanks in Thanksgiving. Thanks for my family and

Management - GAO hits the bull’s eye in identifying commercial best practices as the key to successful information technology investments.

  Earlier this week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding “Leveraging Best Practices to Help Ensure Successful Major Acquisitions.”   The testimony can be found here.  The focus of the testimony was a presentation of nine common “critical success factors” that GAO identified in examining seven successful federal

Friday Flash, 11.15.13

FAR and Beyond Blog  GAO hits the bull’s eye in identifying commercial best practices as the key to successful information technology investments.  Earlier this week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding “Leveraging Best Practices to Help Ensure Successful Major Acquisitions.”   The testimony can be found here. 

Federal Supply Schedule - Some Thoughts on Strategic Sourcing

As you know, the GSA Multiple Award Schedule program and the IT GWACs (GSA, NASA and NIH) are strategic platforms that leverage the government’s acquisition resources through streamlined competitions for customer agency requirements.  In essence, GSA is a federal procurement market marker.  GSA is not a government-wide requirements holder.  What does that mean?  Well, at

Friday Flash, 11.08.13

FAR and Beyond Blog As you know, the GSA Multiple Award Schedule program and the IT GWACs (GSA, NASA and NIH) are strategic platforms that leverage the government’s acquisition resources through streamlined competitions for customer agency requirements.  In essence, GSA is a federal procurement market marker.  GSA is not a government-wide requirements holder.  What does