All Learning Content
SmallGovCon Week in Review: April 30 – May 4, 2018
May 4, 2018
It’s Friday and I’m looking forward to a great weekend here in the Midwest. The Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, so if horses are your thing, grab your best (or most outrageous) hat, a mint julep and enjoy! But first, it’s time to find out what is new in the wide world of...
SPP Tender Models – Good Practice Examples Published
May 3, 2018
Last week we mentioned the SPP Regions success story on its CO2 emissions project, which involved the collaboration of 31 contracting authorities carrying out 40 eco-innovative tenders. The organisation has now published 40 good practice examples (or tender models) on the range of product and...
How Small UK Firm Won Major Tech Contracts with Large US Public Authorities
May 3, 2018
This week Reuters ran a very interesting article, an interview in fact with the owner of UK small business Masabi which provides mobile ticketing solutions for transport systems. The attention-grabbing opening line read “How does a small British company win major technology contracts with large...
ProZorro – Is The End Nigh for the Public Procurement Protector?
May 3, 2018
Back in 2016 we wrote about the launch of the Ukrainian public procurement system – ProZorro – Set to Save the Ukraine from Public Sector Corruption. It was heralded as putting an end to corruption and non-transparent public procurement, and while it has been very successful for some, it has...
Measuring & Improving Sustainable Procurement with ISO 20400
May 2, 2018
The ISO 20400: 2017 guidance standard on sustainable procurement is an excellent tool for private and public organisations. This new global norm has been adopted by 52 industry countries, representing 65% of the world population, 85% of the world GDP, and a hefty 73% of the CO2 emissions. (Source:...
GAO Releases Updated Bid Protest Guide
May 2, 2018
Coinciding with the May 1, 2018 requirement that GAO bid protests be filed using the new Electronic Protest Docketing System, the GAO has released an updated version of its “Descriptive Guide” to the GAO bid protest process.
This Guide–the tenth edition published by GAO–is packed with...
DHS Startup Accelerator Awards Its First Final-Phase Contract
May 2, 2018
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) is funding a system to protect video surveillance systems. The department announced a $200,000 contract to Ionic Security Inc. to complete the fourth phase of the startup outreach initiative. The Atlanta-based...
SBA Rejects Major Changes in Size Standard Methodology
May 1, 2018
The SBA has rejected several recommendations for major changes in how the SBA calculates small business size status.
In commentary published in the Federal Register last week, the SBA rejected (among other things) recommendations that it use average employee count to evaluate the sizes of...
Local Public Authority-Owned Green Energy Supplier Loses Out to Big 6 Supplier
Apr 27, 2018
Bristol City Council (England) has dropped Bristol Energy as a green energy provider – despite owning it and having invested £15 million into the business. The council said it had to follow strict procurement rules and competitively tender its utilities contracts in line with public sector...
Updated EU Guidance on Public Procurement
Apr 27, 2018
The European Commission has published updated guidance on Public Procurement for practitioners around avoiding the most common errors in projects funded under the European Structural and Investment Funds. This is for guidance only and is intended to encourage good practice. It is aimed primarily at...
Scotland and Germany Forge Ties with Innovation and Investment Hub
Apr 27, 2018
Scotland and Germany have launched a new investment and innovation hub/office based in Berlin – this is part of a wider network of facilities in London, Dublin, Brussels, Beijing and Washington DC. The Glasgow and Berlin Chambers of Commerce have signed an agreement to increase collaboration and...
SmallGovCon Week in Review: April 23 – 27, 2018
Apr 27, 2018
It’s going to be a beautiful weekend here in Lawrence, with temperatures in the 70s and lots of sun. I’m looking forward to some time outdoors finally enjoying the spring. But before I hit the exit at the office, it’s time for our weekly dose of government contracts news and notes.
In...
