New HHS request for proposals, has industry up in arms
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a request for proposals that industry finds puzzling. CMS terminated an existing call center contractor after two years….
Is it Possible to Cut Costs Without Hurting Employee Morale?
Moving from a physical office to remote work and implementing tech such as AI to free employees from tedious tasks are two possible strategies to consider. The post…
Coast Guard still struggling with major acquisition programs
The Navy isn’t the only military service that struggles with big shipbuilding programs. Two of the Coast Guard’s biggest programs — the Offshore Patrol Cutter and the Polar…
How Do You Help Employees Identify the Purpose Behind their Work?
Understanding the ultimate reason you do your work is essential to workplace happiness. And workplace happiness, in turn, is essential to other beneficial things, such as productivity. The…
The benefits of ‘best value’ for small businesses in the federal market
As discussed previously in this FAR and Beyond blog, the General Services Administration (GSA) has proposed to amend the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984 to adjust the statutory authority for…
Justice Department expands its procurement fraud strike force
Sometimes federal procurements don’t go according to the rules. Sometimes its worse, when bribes and kickbacks come into play. That’s what the Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force…
Contractor’s dispute over cost-accounting standards has roots dating back 17 years
Sikorsky Aircraft and the Defense Department have been arguing in court for the past 17 years, over the company’s compliance with cost-accounting standards. One reason it has been…
Ten federal agencies receive ‘A+’ in annual scorecard measuring small business contracting goals
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal grants can be a huge boost for small businesses. And some federal agencies do better at giving grants to small businesses than others….
Army changing the color of money used to modernize software
When it comes to software development, the Army is going to stop worrying about the color of money. That’s because as part of its new approach to software…
Do You Train for Gracious Leadership?
Gracious executives and managers listen with purpose, recognize they don’t have all the answers, and demonstrate uncompromising respect for everyone, according to author Janet Smith Meeks. The post…