Lawmaker opens debate on financial management

Congress wants to make federal financial managers more accountable.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 23, 2005

GAO sides with contractors on three decisions

Watchdog agency determines NASA, Navy and the Drug Enforcement Administration awarded contracts improperly.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 21, 2005

Industry, agencies critique method of measuring performance

Earned-value management is called costly and harmful to small business participation.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 20, 2005

GAO: Contractors owe $3 billion in taxes

Watchdog agency says 33,000 civilian contractors failed to pay; some committed felonies by not forwarding payroll taxes.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 16, 2005

Veterans businesses set to receive $5 billion

New contracting vehicle will allow agencies to purchases technology services from firms and move closer to veteran contracting goal.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 15, 2005

Funding delays hinder efficient contracting, panel told

Office of Management and Budget acquisition panel hears from agency managers about problems in the procurement process.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 14, 2005

Homeland bureau tests new acquisition strategy

Body armor and dogs will be among the first commodities to be considered for “strategic sourcing.”

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 13, 2005

OMB directed U.S. Mint to reopen job competition

A year and a half after first announcing a forklift operator competition, agency is still looking for private bidders.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 10, 2005

House chairman: Contracts should focus on taxpayer value

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., says agencies should put more emphasis on the bottom line than on societal goals.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 8, 2005

Procurement policy chief pushes creativity in contracting

David Safavian announces plans to meet more with acquisition officers; OMB documents savings from job competitions.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 7, 2005

GAO sustains protest of Air Force contract

Decision is unusual because agency does not usually review contract modifications after a contract has been awarded.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 6, 2005

Defense office to emphasize performance-based payments

Facing criticism, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy organization defends payments that reward good work.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 2, 2005

OPM gives health insurance carriers new acquisition rules

Health care providers now will be considered subcontractors and subject to increased oversight; cost accounting standards still do not apply to carriers.

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 1, 2005

Tougher Audits

• Kimberly Palmer
• June 1, 2005

FAA acquisitions face delays, growing costs

Transportation’s IG finds problems with major projects.

• Kimberly Palmer
• May 31, 2005

OMB issues new guidance on job competitions

Advocates greet news that agencies can exclude disabled workers from job competitions with cautious optimism.

• Kimberly Palmer
• May 27, 2005

Lawmakers protest delay in program to aid women-owned small businesses

SBA announces it will implement five-year-old law requiring program; women business owners are skeptical.

• Kimberly Palmer
• May 26, 2005

OMB announces 'strategic sourcing' requirement

By Oct. 1, agencies must analyze their purchasing habits and use the data to leverage their buying power on at least three commodities.

• Kimberly Palmer
• May 25, 2005

Prime contractors vexed by reimbursement rules

Vendors cite confusing guidelines on what they can charge agencies for work done by subcontractors under GSA schedule contracts.

• Kimberly Palmer
• May 24, 2005

VA, union at odds over laundry privatization

Decision to close Veterans Affairs laundry facility spawns debate over cheapest route to clean linens.

• Kimberly Palmer
• May 23, 2005