All Learning Content
DOE Awards Contracts Focusing on Energy Efficiency
Jul 5, 2017
Federal News Radio reports on the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) that recently awarded 21 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts to help the government improve energy efficiency. The contracts include renewable energy sources for combined heat and...
Lack of Bid Competition in California
Jul 5, 2017
According to California state auditor Elaine Howle’s office, the Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology failed to provide proper oversight over the state’s procurement contracts. A number of large contracts were awarded without undergoing the required...
Using Data To Strengthen the Integrity and Effectiveness of Public Procurement – Ideas from the Finalists (Part 1)
Jul 5, 2017
We wrote here an introduction to the Open Contracting Innovation Challenge, which is a competition run by the Open Contracting Partnership and the Open Data Institute to recognise ground-breaking data-driven ideas for improving public procurement. The Innovation Challenge honours original ideas...
A Matter of Seconds: A Lesson in the Very High Cost of Being Late
Jul 5, 2017
Introduction
It’s one of America’s great traditions! We celebrate those who come through in the clutch – “winning” in the final seconds – far, far more than we notice their counterparts who “win” through deliberate effort and preparation to “put the game away” – whatever the...
More Countries To Join WTO Procurement Deal
Jul 4, 2017
“The WTO’s Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) may soon see some new additions, with Australia reportedly close to the negotiating finish line, nearly two years after it launched its bid to join the plurilateral accord,” reports the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable...
Number of EU Laws Introduced Illustrate Scale of the Challenge Ahead for UK Government
Jul 3, 2017
If you are in any doubt and want some clarification around the scale of EU laws introduced into UK statute since Brexit was voted for, there is an article on Legal Business which lays it out. “More than 700 new European laws have been introduced into UK statute since the EU Referendum vote in...
Ohio Streamlines Procurement Regulations to Encourage Startups, Small Businesses
Jul 3, 2017
The state of Ohio deals with the same challenges that federal agencies do when attempting to invite new players into the public market. In 2016, the state decided to do something about it when it announced a special streamlined procurement process for a specific solicitation for data analytics...
European Co-ordinated Defence Procurement – Funding for Two Initiatives Announced
Jul 3, 2017
We have written previously about the idea of European co-operation in terms of defence procurement. It has been discussed for many years, but little tangible has really happened.
But last month there was an announcement of funding for two specific initiatives. There will be a “research window”...
Federal Pay Raise Clears Key Legislative Hurdle
Jul 3, 2017
Republicans in the House of Representatives did not block a proposed 1.9 percent pay raise for federal employees. According to media reporting, the provision remains in the current version of the 2018 appropriations bill which cleared an appropriations subcommittee. While Congress does have until...
GSA OIG Releases Report on Whistleblower Retaliation
Jul 3, 2017
The General Services Administration’s (GSA) inspector general released its findings on whistleblower retaliation impacting two high-ranking GSA officials. The report details correspondence between former GSA commissioner Tom Sharpe and former GSA administrator Denise Turner Roth, who is accused...
Veterans Affairs Law a Blueprint for Government-Wide Reform?
Jul 3, 2017
Last week, President Trump signed major legislation reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Now, the Washington Examiner is reporting that the law may be a model for reforming the entire government. The reform law lets VA “recoup bonuses given out to bad employees, and even lets the VA...
We Can Build a Better Boat: Lessons from High-Tech Sailing for Government Contracting
Jun 30, 2017
I have one question for the reader: Did you happen to see any of the just concluded
America’s Cup races? Don’t know even what sport the America’s Cup is competed for? Well, you are likely in the good company of 90% of all Americans and even half of all of those whose TV’s are locked on...
