Shadow IT Still an Issue in the Federal Workforce
Jul 18, 2017
A recent survey by FedScoop found that many federal employees use personal devices to boost their productivity. However, using unsupported devices, usually called shadow IT, can pose security risks. Yet still, IT workers feel they don’t really have a choice but to use their devices anyway....
NASA and Elon Musk to Explore Mars, Partnership
Jul 17, 2017
An article from Quartz looks at efforts by the newly reinvigorated National Space Council to return to manned space flight and eventually put “boots on Mars.” But current limitations on technology at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) prevent a timetable from being...
DOE’s SunShot to Invest $46.2 Million
Jul 17, 2017
Since its inception in 2011, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) SunShot program has helped to drive innovation in solar energy by funding research, studies, grants, educational programs and competitions to increase the viability of solar as an alternative energy source. Its goal is to make solar...
Greater London Authority Begins Bidding Process for New £20bn Developer Framework
Jul 14, 2017
The procurement for the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) new £20bn developer framework has begun. Called the London Development Panel 2 (LDP2), it will replace the current framework which expires at the beginning of November this year. This is a four-year development and 30 firms are looking to...
New Guidance for Local Authorities on Procuring Digital Services
Jul 14, 2017
UK Local Government Association (LGA) on July 11 released its ‘National technological and digital procurement category strategy’ guidance. It is intended to help councils make the right choices in procuring contracts for IT services. The strategy calls for Local Authorities to use the guidance...
Audit Finds Spending on Government Procurement Cards that should not come out of Public Funds
Jul 14, 2017
The Child and Family Agency in Ireland, Tusla, is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. It focuses on reform of child protection, early intervention and family support services, with about 4,000 staff it has an operational budget of approximately...
SmallGovCon Week In Review: July 10-14, 2017
Jul 14, 2017
I’m back in the office after a great family beach vacation in Florida over the 4th of July. I have a confession to make: I didn’t read a single government contracts article during my trip. My beach reads consisted entirely of popular fiction with no redeeming social or educational value...
Call for SMEs to get Smart Regulations
Jul 14, 2017
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the EU’s Assembly of Regional and Local Representatives, says local and regional leaders are calling for ‘smart’ regulations for SMEs. Smart regulations mean that political decisions are prepared in an open, transparent manner, informed by the best...
SDVOSB & VOSB Reverification: VA Confirms Extended Three-Year Eligibility
Jul 13, 2017
After receiving “numerous” public comments, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has confirmed that the extended three-year SDVOSB and VOSB verification term–originally adopted in February 2017–will remain in effect indefinitely. Before February, SDVOSBs and VOSBs were required to be...
Ranking States by Their Finances
Jul 13, 2017
The Mercatus Center at George Mason University released its 50-state analysis of financial conditions where the study uses 13 metrics to analyze state finances based on five solvency categories. Florida’s government finances are in the best shape compared to other states, putting it at the top of...
Contractor Awarded $31,000 In Attorneys’ Fees For $6,000 Claim
Jul 13, 2017
A contractor was awarded more than $31,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs after a government agency unjustifiably refused to pay the contractor’s $6,000 claim–forcing the contractor to go through lengthy legal processes to get reimbursed.
A recent decision of the Civilian Board of Contract...
Russian Company Kaspersky Removed from SEWP, IT 70
Jul 13, 2017
Russian cybersecurity vendor Kaspersky Lab has been removed as a pre-approved vendor on two major governmentwide vehicles, NASA SEWP and GSA Schedule 70. The removal comes amid concerns the Russian company could pose a cybersecurity risk. “GSA’s priorities are to ensure the integrity and...
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Perspectives and Insights
I have been interested in the question of getting successful commercial companies, especially tech companies, to sell to the government from the time I was …
The Contractor Accountability and Transparency Act of 2017 (S. 651), introduced by Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., is yet another example of a …
Think you know all about public sector owned professional buying organisations (PBOs) and what they do? Here are ten interesting facts that might just surprise …
Policies and Regulations
It’s no surprise President Trump has been systematically dismantling President Obama’s executive orders, since taking office. Obama himself knew it was a possibility: Frustrated by …
Past performance is an important step in being successful as a federal government contractor. Once firms get into the mid-tier range, they normally have amassed …
A few months back, we published several articles about the very interesting – and somewhat shocking – court case around the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning …