All Learning Content
SBA OHA Confirms Strict SDVOSB “Unconditional Ownership” Requirements
Sep 19, 2017
Provisions in a company’s Shareholders Agreement, requiring the service-disabled veteran to sell his shares back to the company in the event of the veteran’s death or incapacity, were contrary to the SBA’s SDVOSB regulations.
According to a recent SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals decision,...
The “Procurement Guys” of the Future
Sep 18, 2017
The “procurement guys” of the future probably won’t recognize the term. And they certainly won’t have the word “procurement” in their job titles. They won’t work in a stand-alone department at some distance from customers, taxpayers or decision-makers. They won’t have their own...
Supplier Selection Processes Must Support Finding The Best Suppliers
Sep 18, 2017
Supplier selection is a fundamental element of private and public sector procurement. That seems almost too obvious a statement to commit to print, yet sometimes it seems that organisations forget just how fundamental it is, and how important it is to get it right.
In the public (government) sector...
SmallGovCon Week In Review: September 11-15, 2017
Sep 15, 2017
As we get closer to the end of the fiscal year, things can get a little crazy in the world of government contracts. This week is no exception, with plenty of news and commentary in our SmallGovCon Week In Review.
In this mid-September edition, court documents reveal a bribery scheme centered on...
Bankruptcy Pending, But Contractor Still Wins Award
Sep 15, 2017
Contracting officers have wide discretion to determine that a business can perform the work in question—even if the business is about to enter bankruptcy.
In a recent GAO protest, an unsuccessful offeror challenged just such a determination, saying that there is no way the awarded business could...
The Next Big Thing in IT Procurement
Sep 14, 2017
At the beginning of the summer, I published a blog on how the Department of Homeland Security had tried an innovative approach to its FLASH competition for an agile contracting BPA, run into problems evaluating bidders, and finally withdrew the procurement — with DHS Chief Procurement Officer...
Digital Marketplace Model for Other Countries to Receive Funding Go Ahead
Sep 14, 2017
G-Cloud, now the Digital Marketplace, the hub for buying IT has been one of the UK government’s great success stories. It is now looking at overseas expansion and replicating the model to make the procurement of IT services and skills more efficient and cost-effective for public sector...
DHS’ Silicon Valley Innovation Program Speeds Proposal Process
Sep 14, 2017
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) is proving to be very popular among startups. Dr. Douglas Maughan, director of the Cyber Security Division within the Science and Technology Directorate at DHS, said SVIP had taken a three-four month proposal process...
Maintaining Openness and Competition In Multi-Stage Programmes
Sep 14, 2017
A little while back, we looked at a procurement issue in the UK where a competition run by the Arts Council of England (ACE) appears to have run into trouble. While all the facts are not yet clear, it looks like it may be because of a perception that the procurement has not been run with a “level...
New Head of Slovak Public Procurement Would Like to Professionalise the Profession
Sep 14, 2017
The Slovak Spectator reports that Parliament has elected a lawyer as the new head of the Public Procurement Office (ÚVO). He replaced the current head on September 14. The new head has not worked for the office before, but the PM believes this will bring a ‘sideways’ look at the office. The...
Software for Public Sector Financed by Public Money Should Be Open Source
Sep 14, 2017
European Digital Rights (EDRi) is an association of civil and human rights organisations from across Europe which defends rights and freedoms in the digital environment. It is currently championing for public sector software that fosters the sharing of good ideas and solutions for everyone....
DHS Bans Kaspersky Software From Federal Data Systems
Sep 14, 2017
Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Elaine Duke issued a directive announcing all federal agencies must get rid of the Russian-based cybersecurity software within 90 days. “This action is based on the information security risks presented by the use of Kaspersky products on...
