Tech

Thousands of American Jobs May Depend on Performance of a New GSA Website

Biden’s new “Made in America” executive order creates an opportunity to close loopholes that allow companies to manufacture products overseas for nebulous reasons.

Management

We Already Have the Tool We Need to Get the Most Out of Federal Contractors

It’s called CPARS, and we’re just not using it the way we should.

Management

GovExec Daily: What to Expect from Biden's 'Buy American' Order

Contracting attorney Kelly Kroll joins the podcast to discuss how the executive order will affect firms going forward.

Management

Lawmakers and Professional Association Call for Extension of COVID Leave Reimbursement Provision for Contractors

CARES Act section allowing flexibility for agencies to reimburse contractors for sick or paid leave is set to expire next month.

Management

Feds OK’d Export of Millions of N95 Masks as U.S. Workers Cried for More

In the hours before President Joe Biden was inaugurated, the Federal Emergency Management Agency allowed a Texas mask maker to ship the high-quality masks overseas.

Oversight

Contractor Who Was Awarded $34.5 Million in Government Money and Provided Zero Masks Pleads Guilty to Fraud

The VA and FEMA agreed to pay a first-time vendor in a desperate search for protective equipment. Now Robert Stewart admits he defrauded three federal agencies and lied about being in the Marine Corps.

Tech

The U.S. Spent $2.2 Million on a Cybersecurity System That Wasn’t Implemented — and Might Have Stopped a Major Hack

The software company SolarWinds unwittingly allowed hackers’ code into thousands of federal computers. A cybersecurity system called in-toto, which the government paid to develop but never required, might have protected against this.

Tech

GovExec Daily: How the Government and Contractors Can Cooperate on IT Security

SAP National Security Services CEO Mark Testoni joins the podcast to discuss how agencies can more effectively use contracting to secure critical infrastructure.

Management

Biden Aims for Federal Contractors to Pay a $15 Minimum Wage

He directed his administration to work on an executive order within his first 100 days. 

Management

Our Next Supply Chain Nightmare in the COVID-19 Response

As much as 90% of the medical glass needed for vaccine vials is made overseas.

Management

Biden Administration Likely To Increase Contracting Opportunities for Small and Minority-Owned Businesses 

The campaign outlined a $400 billion plan “to support small businesses and tackle inequities in the federal contracting system.” 

Management

Report: Pandemic Likely to Dominate Federal Contracting in Fiscal 2021

Bloomberg Government predicted spending to be high on vaccines, telework and digital services. 

Management

Contracting Groups Welcome Extension of Leave Provision in COVID Deal 

Language enacted in the CARES Act allowing agencies to give contractors sick or paid leave during the pandemic if they cannot access their worksites was extended until March 31, 2021.

Management

Trump Administration Finalizes Rule to Protect Religion-Based Federal Contractors

It has “a grotesquely overbroad exemption” that could allow for discrimination, said one critic. 

Management

Viewpoint: Don’t Abolish AbilityOne, Reform It

A recommendation by the National Council on Disability threatens 45,000 jobs for people with disabilities.

Management

OMB Advises Agencies on Contractors’ Limiting Their Use of Foreign Workers

The agency issued a memo to supplement President Trump’s executive order in August. 

Oversight

Records Show Trump’s Border Wall Is Costing Taxpayers Billions More Than Initial Contracts

As the presidential election nears, a review of federal spending data found modifications to contracts have increased the price of the border wall by billions, costing about five times more per mile than it did under previous administrations.

Management

Trump Administration Requests Info on Contractor Diversity Training as Officials Seek to Clarify What’s Allowed

Federal officials now say at least some unconscious bias training is all right under a recent controversial executive order.