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Pentagon to Issue New Guidance on Buying Large IT Systems

The Department of Defense (DoD) is getting ready to release new guidance on buying business information technology (IT) systems, such as the ones that handle logistics, personnel, etc. The systems often cost billions of dollars, and have been the subject of scrutiny from both Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The guidance is thought to include Congressional recommendations, including prioritizing off-the-shelf software, reducing the use of customized code and streamlining the department’s own business processes before it makes new IT investments.

Insider Threat Regulations May Shrink the Vendor Pool

Bloomberg Government takes a look at the insider threat regulations going into effect on November 30, arguing that the rules will “hit contractors hard.” “Federal contractors face a Nov. 30 deadline to begin to implement a number of significant and potentially costly steps to protect against insider threats and outside cybersecurity risks,” the authors write. “The unwelcome result may be a diminution in competition in the classified government contractor space, particularly from smaller, often more innovative entities.”

Information Disclosure During the Acquisition Process

The Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) has announced a new seminar titled “Can We Talk,” to address concerns over what kind of information can be sured during the acquisition process. According to the description of the seminar, “Releasing certain information too soon can compromise the integrity of the process by creating an unfair competitive advantage to some vendors. However, releasing critical information too late can render it useless and negatively impact the volume and quality of the offers and the subsequent acquisition outcome.” The seminar will be available beginning November 30.