Defense

GAO: Security contracts don’t violate ban on quasi-military forces

In response to bid protests, agency finds Army requests for proposals permissible under Anti-Pinkerton Act.

Tech

Panel backs licensing for tax return preparers

IRS should also drop outsourcing initiative and boost funding for assistance services, taxpayer committee recommends.

Management

Army Corps upholds decision to keep IT work in-house

Contractor that competed for the jobs has until Aug. 28 to file an appeal outside the agency.

Management

OMB to rate agencies on efforts to break up large contracts

Administration official promises update on initiative to address small business contracting concerns by November.

Management

Report recommends limited use of pay incentives

Measurement should focus on intrinsic motivation and allow for failure, researcher says.

Defense

Punishments stemming from IG probes on the rise

Suspensions and debarments of contractors nearly doubled in 2005, but savings from inspectors’ recommendations fell by 6.7 percent.

News And Analysis

Everything Is An Opportunity

New administrator, Lurita Doan, brings energy and a small business perspective to the General Services Administration.

Management

SBA: Federal Prison Industries not small for services

Area office ruled FPI ineligible for service contracts set aside for small companies.

Management

Industry groups oppose acquisition panel recommendations

Advisory panel is near the end of its charter and may run out of time for debate on new criticism.

Defense

Competition levels in interagency contracting are murky

Advisory group says OMB should consider adding detail to contracting database.

Management

Retirement-eligible acquisition workers to triple in 10 years

Acquisition institute report presents data, but leaves conclusions to agencies.

Management

Judge blasts EPA for delays in Clean Air Act implementation

Agency should not have put discretionary activities before congressional mandates, judge says.

Management

Senate confirms veteran procurement official for OMB post

Paul Denett promises to focus on emergency contracting, acquisition workforce issues.

Defense

IG recommends early contracting personnel involvement in reconstruction

Contingency procurement rules and a unified contracting entity also could improve post-conflict response, report says.

Defense

Lawmakers question Boeing’s ethical commitments

In light of a recent settlement agreement, senators probe, and largely accept, company’s intentions.

Tech

E-gov scores improve slightly on latest management score card

Administration highlights improvements in real property management, faith-based and community initiative.

Management

GAO: Pundit contract and video news stories broke spending rules

Education Department placed in funding violation database for fiscal 2004.

Management

IRS to cut estate tax auditing workforce with buyouts

Legislators question agency’s plan to cut nearly half of estate tax lawyers by Sept. 30.

Defense

Legislators rip DHS contracting practices

Tight deadlines and other challenges are no excuse for poor management, House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis says.

Management

Dems: Large businesses miscoded as small got $12 billion in contracts

Group of lawmakers says illusion of attaining small business goals hurts effort to unbundle large contracts.