It’s difficult to keep track of all of the news published that impacts the public sector market every day. That’s why the Public Spend Forum Newswire captures and synthesizes the new policies, regulations, thought leadership and legislation that is changing and influencing your job. Here are a few highlights from today’s Newswire. Subscribe today to receive all of the stories from this edition.
Donald Trump Wants Government to “Cancel Order” on Air Force One
President-Elect Donald Trump shone a spotlight on procurement this morning when he tweeted, “Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!” The contract was actually to build two airplanes, and $2.9 billion was spent on research, with procurement coming in at $1 billion. The tweet sent waves through the defense acquisition community, with Boeing’s stock dipping slightly, and experts weighing in to clarify.
FAR Council Proposes Rule Regarding Set-Asides Under Multiple-Award Contracts
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council has proposed a new rule that would provide additional guidance on the use of “partial set-asides, reserves, and set-asides of orders under multiple-award contracts (MACs).” The guidance is designed to help procurement professionals implement policy coming from the Jobs Act of 2010 and a 2013 Small Business Administration rule that allowed for partial set-asides and set-aside on task orders under MACs.
Maryland Enacting Sweeping Procurement Reforms
The final report from the Commission to Modernize State Procurement—a panel created by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan—made 57 recommendations to update the state procurement system. Similarly, a regulatory reform committee identified 187 regulations that could be streamlined or eliminated. “Modernizing our procurement process is vital to running a transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible state government,” said Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford. “Once implemented, these recommendations will benefit Maryland for years to come by increasing competition for contracts, lowering transaction costs, and improving the professional development of our state procurement workforce.”