Comment of the Week I am back! Thanks to Carolyn for handling the “comment of the week” during my absence. As Carolyn announced last week, the Coalition is launching a new Excellence in Partnership (EIP) Savings award “which will go to a government and industry activity based on sound acquisition planning and use of well-defined
Comment of the Week Roger is still out of town so I get to do the Comment of the Week. I’m sure Roger will have more to say on this topic when he returns. This week the Coalition staff started preparing for the Excellence in Partnership (EIP) Award program which will occur on October 24,
1. Comment of the Week Significant management changes are occurring across government that could affect federal acquisition in general and multiple award contracting specifically. Joe Jordan, previously Associate Administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development at the Small Business Administration will soon be formally sworn in as Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP). Dan
Comment of the Week On June 12th, the Coalition issued a “Best Practices for Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). It provides a framework for increasing the effectiveness of FSS BPAs for government customers, FSS contractors and ultimately taxpayers. FSS BPAs are an important tool in the procurement toolbox to support program and
Comment of the Week Over the last two weeks, three events have highlighted the need for fundamental reform of procurement processes, procedures, and regulations in order to deliver a more efficient and effective procurement system. On July 11th, Joe Jordan, Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, and Dan Tangherlini, Acting Administrator of the General Services Administrator,
Comment of the Week GSA Schedule Pricing – Too High or Too Low? Surprisingly the answer is in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). By placing an order in accordance with FAR 8.4, the ordering agency achieves best value at the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the government’s need. Or in plain English, the system
1. Comment of the Week The Coalition hopes everyone had a wonderful Independence Day! July 4th reminds me that it is time to start thinking about the Coalition’s annual fundraiser, the Wounded Veterans Fund Golf Tournament. This year’s tournament will be held on August 29th at Whiskey Creek Golf Course (back by popular demand). Due to
1. Comment of the Week On June 22, 2012, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies entitled “Reducing Reporting and Paperwork Burdens.” The memorandum states that “Eliminating unjustified regulatory requirements, including unjustified reporting and paperwork burdens is a high priority of this Administration.” It then
Guest Blogger: Carolyn Alston, Executive Vice President and General Counsel I read with interest Steve Kempf’s, testimony before the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce. Kempf, who is GSA’s Commissioner for the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) acknowledged that GSA needs greater agility, federal agencies need faster access to emerging solutions, and GSA needs to
1. Notice to Coalition Members I want to update you on some recent changes that have a positive impact for all members. The first is that Carolyn Alston is our new Executive Vice President & General Counsel. No one matches her background and domain expertise. She has already had an immediate positive impact for all Coalition