Management

VA’s work with outside vendors draws lawmaker scrutiny over conflicts of interest

Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., said VA’s claim it “had no occasions” where it identified an actual or potential conflict of interest with its contractors was “not believable.” 

Management

Small businesses’ share of federal contracting dollars reaches ‘all time high,’ SBA says

Federal agencies paid small businesses $162.9 billion for contracting work—the most ever recorded—in fiscal 2022, although the proportion of federal contract dollars going to small businesses declined to 26.5%.

Tech

VA opposed to new electronic health record requirements, but open to more major acquisition review 

VA officials told lawmakers Wednesday that they oppose proposed oversight standards for the department’s new electronic health record modernization program.

Management

Transparency in numbers: Federal contractors must be held accountable for their diversity efforts

COMMENTARY | A more diverse talent pool will result in government services—and access to those services—that are more reflective of the constituents those services support.

Management

VA official expects Oracle Cerner to deliver on $10B EHR contract despite layoffs

While lawmakers and officials expect work to continue as planned, an insider warned that layoffs at Oracle Cerner targeted a clinical team that worked to implement new electronic health record systems.

Management

To Advance Equity in Contracting, Make It Easier and Cheaper to Sell to the Public Sector

COMMENTARY | The key to making procurement more inclusive will be to systemically reduce the cost of doing business with public entities—by an order of magnitude.

Management

It’s Time to Rethink Degree Requirements for Federal Contractors

Outdated mandates that job candidates have 4-year educational degrees create barriers to getting the best people on the job.

Oversight

Republicans Remind the White House They Still Want to Know More About Biden’s Labor Policies for Contractors

President Biden issued an executive order last year requiring project labor agreements for federal construction work. 

Management

GSA Tools Flag Diverse Suppliers for Procurement Officials

Two new online tools give agency buyers a look at diverse vendors and reports on access by new entrants to the federal market.

Management

A New Report Highlights Procurement Innovation Hubs That May Help Achieve White House Equity Goals

The Partnership for Public Service report identified specific case studies across the federal procurement community that modeled collaboration and could advance White House policies on equity, sustainability and modernization.

Management

NASA Asks How to Better Advance Equity Through its Spending Power 

This request for information furthers two executive orders from President Biden. 

Management

Veteran Deaths Lead Lawmakers to Call for VA to Renegotiate Oracle EHR Contract

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester said that VA should “negotiate an entirely new contract” with Oracle Cerner following the revelation that the EHR system has resulted in the deaths of four veterans.

Management

Innovation Thrives When Governments Embrace Next-Gen Public-Private Partnerships

By rethinking how sectors collaborate and encouraging long-term institutional relationships, communities can get the most out of technology projects, one expert said.

Management

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Unveils Initiatives Aimed at Small and Midsized Operations

Tom Vilsack also discussed creating a new “seed liaison” in the department to increase fairness in the commodity biotech industry, and proposed changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Management

99% of Women-Owned Businesses Say the Federal Government Hasn’t Done Enough to Support Them, Survey Finds

Women-owned small businesses say they are “not a priority” for the federal government as entrepreneurs continue to share frustration in getting shut out of funding and contracts.

Tech

GSA Seeks Commercial Procurement Data Solution 

The agency is looking for a dashboard and reporting system that can also check for data errors or inconsistencies.

Oversight

OIG Finds Oversight Issues With GSA's Performance-Based Contracts

GSA contracting personnel produced performance reports that were "often incomplete or not available at all," according to a new inspector general's audit.