Comment of the Week This week marks the beginning of the local football season with high schools and youth leagues beginning camps and tryouts—and YES, the Green Bay Packers are “in camp” too! As such it is appropriate to focus on Thought No. 11 of the Thirteen Thoughts for 2013: Requirements Development—the blocking and tackling
Comment of the Week As we approach the end of July here is a word association “comment of the week” regarding the federal procurement system. The word associations below are based on observations, comments and feedback we have received from throughout the procurement community. The word associations are intended to spark a Myth-Busters discussion regarding
Comment of the Week Contract duplication remains a cost drag on the entire federal acquisition system. Contract duplication increases bid and proposal, administration and management costs for government and industry. Last summer the Coalition issued a summary report highlighting the results of a survey conducted among our member firms regarding contract duplication costs. The report
Comment of the Week Continuing the Dialogue is More than Checking the Box! In Roger Waldron’s absence we’d like to build on a previous comment written by him on the importance of robust communication to maintain a federal acquisition system that responds to the needs of federal agencies, contractors and taxpayers. As GSA develops strategic
Comment of the Week Today, July 3rd, marks the 150th anniversary of the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg. On that fateful day, General Lee ordered “Picket’s Charge,” a frontal assault on the Union lines. Confederate troops briefly broke through one small section of the Union lines – a location forever referred to as the
Comment of the Week This week the focus is Thought No. 9 of the Thirteen Thoughts for 2013, “Better Buying Power Metrics—how do we measure success?” Today marks the third anniversary of the Better Buying Power Initiative. On June 28, 2010, the Department of Defense (DoD) launched the Better Buying Power initiative issuing a memorandum
Comment of the Week On Thursday the Coalition traveled to Chicago to host a “Myth-Busters” Healthcare Committee meeting with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Acquisition Center (NAC). The VA NAC manages a family of Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts for pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and services. A primary focus of the Coalition Healthcare Committee
Comment of the Week Yesterday I testified in a hearing titled “Putting the Strategy in Sourcing: Challenge and Opportunities for Small Business Contractors” before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce. My oral statement to the subcommittee is provided below. The Coalition will continue to work on the strategic acquisition issues identified during
Comment of the Week On June 4th the GSA Office of Inspector General issued Report Number A120161/Q/6/P13003, entitled “Improper Management Intervention in Multiple Award Schedule Contracts.” The audit raises concerns regarding management intervention in the ongoing negotiation of GSA schedule contracts and the subsequent outcomes. The report raises some complex and challenging questions about the
Comment of the Week: Post-it Note Update! At last week’s GSA Business Roundtable, GSA leaders and Coalition members participated in a Myth-Busters Discussion exercise to “brainstorm” ideas in support of GSA Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini’s new mission statement and six priorities. To foster dialogue and engagement, the mission statement, six priorities and post-it notes were