On the Go with VAO

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: DATA Act guidance, standards expected in next 45 days GSA rolls out Schedule 70 changes aimed at including more small and start-up firms GAO identifies ten key practices for cloud services SLAs Carter looks to revamp defense acquisition oversight DPAP issues new source selection procedures USACE could improve price reasonableness determinations, DoD OIG finds DOE directs contracting officers to consider strategic sourcing agreements first

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: FPDS-NG changes effective today DoD institutes civilian hiring freeze at headquarters Draft policy would require agencies to streamline management of mobile services VA awards $6.8 billion in contracts supporting disability decisions New Core Federal Services Council will strengthen customer service to the public Proposed rule would simplify State Department suspension and debarment procedures Proposed rule would remove redundant, outdated language from NASA FAR Supplement FITARA success requires culture change, strong relationships, Powner says

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: OMB ups frequency of reporting on payments to small business subcontractors OPM taps leaders to oversee transition to new security clearance agency Schlosser named acting CIO at OPM NIH adding small businesses to CIO-SP3 Air Force using artificial intelligence to streamline acquisition HHS Idea Lab awards $400,000 to startup innovation projects Strategic plan would help guide improvements to VOSB verification process, GAO advises Rules amend DFARS in relation to counterfeit electronics, construction projects Protests can have positive effects, panel contends

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: GSA revives Apps.gov DoD issues guide to managing O&S costs DOE provides guidance on implementing 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act provisions Navy chooses firms for ship maintenance contract GAO denies challenge to amphibious combat vehicle awards Clearly written procurement documents can help lower costs, improve acquisition outcomes, study contends Final rule updates HUDAR NASA proposed rule would remove references to grants, cooperative agreements from NFS Key lawmaker introduces second installment of defense acquisition reform proposals From the Hill: Top House Authorizer Unveils Second Round of Defense Acquisition Reform Proposals

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: GSA names IT category executive GSA awards 33 firms spots on BMO contract VA awards 21 firms spots on $22 billion IT contract Air Force announces major subcontractors on bomber Army cancels follow-on to IMOD DPAP updates list of product categories to be competed Final rule reassigns NASA suspending and debarring official role FAC 2005-87 final rule expands FAPIIS reporting requirements OMB seeking comments on draft data center optimization guidance OMB issues draft policy encouraging use of open source software code OFPP issues guidance on creating acquisition innovation labs

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: OMB seeking comments on draft data center optimization guidance OMB preparing guidance for IT modernization fund Future data center savings may be even higher than estimated, GAO finds Nominations open for 2016 Elmer B. Staats Award DPAP updates internal controls for procurement systems DISA releases RFP for Encore III SBA announces record performance on socioeconomic contracting goals SBA identifies industries in which WOSBs are underrepresented

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: Agency-specific website analytics now available 18F will partner with grant-funding agencies to help states adopt agile DPAP announces update to procurement strategy DoD presents Packard Award Lockheed withdraws protest of Army's JLTV award EIS protestor cites difficulty accessing System for Award Management DHS awards first other transaction innovation contract Proposed rule would implement order on contractor paid sick leave Poll, Week of February 22 to 26 HHS OIG identifies lessons learned from Healthcare.gov launch Talking with a procurement icon about post-award contract management Post-award contract management: Trying to figure out what is happening on the ground Talking post-award contract management with an industry veteran Improving statements of work to improve contract management To contract better, does government need more in-house experts?

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: IT modernization fund will reward agile, shared services projects, Scott says DHS proposes department-wide appropriations structure DISA grants IBM first Level 5 cloud clearance Vendor files preaward protest of GSA's EIS contract Cobert ineligible to serve as acting OPM director, OIG says OPM proposes to streamline employee surveys USDA agencies adopt OMB grant guidance Proposed rule would prohibit reimbursement of costs related to congressional inquiries Proposed DFARS rule would enhance communication on IR&D efforts GAO Protest Decision: NCS/EML JV, LLC G. L. Christian and Associates v. the United States, 312 F.2d 418 (Ct. Cl. 1963) GAO Protest Decision: TransAtlantic Lines, LLC Transatlantic Lines LLC v. United States, 68 Fed. Cl. 48 (2005)

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: White House looks to ramp up contracting with innovative IT companies President creates federal CISO position, cybersecurity commission Legislation would strengthen federal property management GSA completes inventory of telecommunications services for transition to EIS DCAA temporarily ceases audit support to nondefense agencies DoD seeks comments on plan to evaluate proposed IR&D expenses 2016 Fed 100 honorees announced GSA launches public version of Acquisition Gateway

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: President proposes 1.6 percent pay increase OFPP to update multiple award contract guidance GSA ready to launch public version of Acquisition Gateway GSA names MAS transformation lead Boeing awarded contract for Air Force One Air Force selects Raytheon, Northrop to upgrade JSTARS radar Navy awards Boeing $2.47 billion aircraft contract modification DoD requests $582.7 billion for FY2017 DoD planning public-private partnerships to meet space launch requirements Better data analysis could improve federal grant performance, commentary says

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: OPM announces new security clearance agency OMB updates discount rates for 2016 OMB preparing policy on consolidating mobile contracts DPAP requests contingency contracting policies, processes GSA launches software license management pilot Lockheed separates IT division Final rules amend small business size standards Treasury adopts OMB grant guidance Project Manager (Burning Man) GAO finds agency not required to set aside FSS delivery order Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-240) FAC 2005-54 addresses contractor conflicts of interest, small business set-asides OFPP, SBA issue guidance on strengthening small business contracting DPAP outlines actions to maximize the use of small business set-asides SBA publishes final rule on multiple award contracts, bundling ASI Government At a Glance: SBA Final Rule Effective December 31: Applying Small Business Programs to Multiple Award Contracts GAO ruling continues challenge to VA's use of schedules before SDVOSB set-asides Supreme Court will hear challenge to VA's use of schedules before considering set-asides Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: OPM allows exceptions to 3Rs limits for urgent staffing needs DOE provides guidance on oversight of contractor compensation, benefits CIOs say FITARA provides a seat at the table, survey finds DHS ready to test new model for buying innovative technology Legislation would extend task order protest authority DoD presents Acquisition and Contracting Legends Award Proposed rule addresses payment of small business subcontractors HHS issues final rule adopting OMB grant guidance Proposed rule would prohibit contracting with entities requiring certain confidentiality agreements Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, Public Law 99-399 Caddell Construction Company, Inc. Caddell Construction Company, Plaintiff, v. the United States, Defendant, and Pernix Group, Inc.

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: FY2017 budget passback is good news for IT funding Independent agency CIOs waiting to see how FITARA extension applies McCain releases publication on government waste Contractors face security investigation delays HASC will focus on experimentation, prototyping, Thornberry says Defense components are incorporating prototyping, experimentation principles, officials testify Acting Army secretary stepping aside SBA incorporates OMB grant regulations HUD removes obsolete housing grant regulations GSA's IAE Common Services Platform receives ATO 18F software code auctions draw bids under $400 FedRAMP high security baseline coming soon

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: President implements pay raise for 2016 President directs DoD, DHS, DOJ to advance research on gun safety Senate passes grants oversight bill GAO issues best practices guide for project schedules NITAAC lowers fees for CIO-CS GWAC Nayak expected to return to IRS as chief procurement officer GSA names new head of Office of Governmentwide Policy GSA awards Salesforce BPA 18F's agile BPA protested 18F launches micropurchase website Treasury sets prompt payment interest rate for 2016 GSA issues 2016 mileage reimbursement rates Final rule amends DOL regulations to implement OMB grant guidance DFARS changes address contractor cybersecurity requirements, Afghanistan taxes FAC 2005-86 addresses WOSB set-asides, multiple-award contracts DoD issues new instruction on services acquisitions

Join us every Friday, when the VAO Daily Acquisition News team breaks down the top headlines and trends in federal acquisition. Headlines covered in this week's podcast: Federal workers get half day off on December 24 White House to launch security clearance agency GSA solar contracts will save $5 million NGA tests fixed-price-per-sprint contract DHS planning new contracting model to lure innovative startups Bill aims to improve management of software licenses FAS launches MAS performance dashboard 18F flash cards document agile methods, instructions Protest numbers continue to rise Trade Representative updates trade agreement procurement thresholds Final rule updates DOT's grant regulations SBA requests feedback on WOSB certification process Omnibus Bill Packed with Contracting Policy Provisions Omnibus exempts DOE labs from FITARA CIO authorities