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: Senate Passes Five-Day Government Funding Measure Federal job satisfaction rose in 2015 Navy awards initial work on next amphibious ship General Dynamics protests Marine Corps combat vehicle award Transferring support positions to civilians could save DoD billions, CBO advises DHS, GSA release RFP for shared services continuous monitoring task order DHS expands access to EINSTEIN cyber protections to all civilian agencies EPA direct final rule clarifies authorities for ratifying unauthorized commitments Final rule updates HUD's grant regulations Senate hearing addresses ideas for defense acquisition reform Budget pressures can drive program costs higher, DoD review suggests Commentary recommends government-as-a-platform approach to shared services DoD cyber requirements could hurt small businesses, officials say

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: Senator releases 2015 list of questionable government spending FAI issues new Project Manager's Guidebook 18F publishes guiding principles for agency partnerships 2015 Rising Star winners announced Scott announces winners of IT Solutions Challenge NSF updates grant regulations Final rule makes technical amendments to DFARS FAC 2005-85 addresses contractor minimum wage, whistleblower protections

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 updating guidance on data center consolidation Army, Air Force acquisition officials stepping down GSA's Acquisition Gateway helping government buy smarter DLA looking to use performance-based logistics contracts to improve products GAO recommends actions to improve DoD service inventories FARS changes address data collection, energy savings contracts, pricing GAO finds agency not required to set aside FSS delivery order Study examines small business programs GAO recommends making subcontracting test program permanent

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: DoD issues cybersecurity guidance for program managers Boeing, Lockheed Martin protest Air Force bomber award DoD, industry identify opportunities to simplify regulatory requirements President nominates acting director to lead OPM GSA plans focus groups for FPDS-NG redesign 18F buys software code for $1 Final rule updates SSA grant regulations A proposes to amend VOSB verification regulations Agencies receive mixed grades on FITARA scorecards House hearing examines FITARA implementation, agency scorecards ACT-IAC releases model for assessing progress on FITARA implementation

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 releases government-wide cybersecurity plan OMB updates FISMA guidance, reporting requirements FY2016 acquisition workforce survey open for participation Agencies properly managed, tracked unobligated balances, GAO finds GSA launches Challenge.gov mentorship program Final rule updates Education grant regulations Funding source for Air Force bomber uncertain DPAP recognizes acquisition professionals for commitment to AbilityOne Agencies receive mixed grades on FITARA scorecards House hearing examines FITARA implementation, agency scorecards

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: OFPP urges reciprocity in EVMS certifications OSTP platform helps agencies design crowdsourcing projects DPAP deviation addresses contractor confidentiality agreements Air Force reaches verbal agreement on multiyear transport aircraft contract Northrop Grumman wins $55 billion Air Force bomber contract Boeing may challenge strike bomber award Nominations open for 2016 Federal 100 awards ACT-IAC honors SSA deputy CIO with Mendenhall award Rung wins industry partnership award OPM should recompete benefits contract, OIG advises Final rule establishes new locality pay areas GSA looking to consolidate federal professional services spending Shared services office aims to provide support, accountability for agencies Potential users hesitant about shared services, study finds GSA should manage more federal spending, Turner Roth says Agencies to Get $80 Billion in Sequester Relief

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 releases RFI, draft RFPs for Alliant II contracts GSA issues RFP for Networx follow-on DPAP updates deviation on contracting with firms with unpaid taxes, felony convictions DOE launches strategic sourcing training course Proposed rule would revise standard forms for bonds DOE amends DEAR to add contractor export control requirements DoD extends comment period for proposed rule on electronics supply chain DoD extends comment period for interim rule on cyber incident reporting OMB provides guidance on computer purchasing OMB proposes revisions to IT Circular A-130 OMB announces new shared services governance board

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 unveils last agency priorities under Obama administration Agencies must better track, manage bridge contracts, GAO advises 18F experimenting with micro-purchase authority to buy software code ASI team wins Digital Service Contracting Professional Training and Development Program challenge Staff ramp-ups to continue at 18F, Digital Service Air Force awards six small firms spots on cybersecurity contract DoD extends comment period for proposed guidance on requiring cost, pricing data FAI and OFPP announce upcoming FY2016 acquisition workforce survey OFPP guidance establishes category management goals, governance structure OFPP, GSA making progress implementing category management GSA launches new Professional Services Schedule

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: Administration encourages agencies to consider ecosystem services in planning, decision making GSA adds categories to Acquisition Gateway 18F preparing to launch cloud PaaS option Education secretary announces departure DHS launching digital services team CIA initiates directorate to provide technological enhancements to missions ACT-IAC releases model for assessing progress on FITARA implementation DoD awards $4 billion contract for F-15 threat detection upgrade DPAP deviation allows offerors time to implement multifactor authentication Proposed rule would allow credit for small business subcontracting at any tier Proposed rules address design-build contracts, SAT for humanitarian operations Sound business cases key to better acquisition outcomes, GAO official testifies Budget pressures can drive program costs higher, DoD review suggests Budget uncertainty driving up costs, defense officials say

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: House passes CR to fund agencies until December 11 OPM updates guidance on shutdown furloughs House approves bill aimed at improving grants management Air Force tanker completes first flight Air Force expects to make bomber contract announcement in a few months NASA names new CIO Treasury to invite feedback on USAspending upgrade GSA releases draft RFP for VETS 2 DPAP reissues deviation raising EVMS compliance review threshold DPAP raises dollar threshold for reporting awards not set aside for small business DPAP updates FY2016 procurement management review dates New responsibility determination required new award decision, GAO says USIS did not always comply with contract requirements, SSA OIG finds DoD denies Milestone A approval for JSTARS

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 adds 3D printing SIN to Schedule 36 18F testing website design, management tool DPAP memo clarifies requirement for determination documentation, GSA says Kendall grants service heads milestone authority for certain programs Obama to nominate Army secretary Air Force acquisition chief receives W. Stuart Symington Award CDM tools now available to nearly all federal civilian agencies Proposed rule would amend DFARS to implement safeguards for electronic parts DoD makes editorial changes to DFARS, waives limitation for certain UK defense items Budget cuts spur IT overhaul at TSA Old systems, acquisition approaches hamper cybersecurity, IT official cautions

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: Executive order encourages agencies to leverage behavioral science to enhance programs SBA final rule addresses WOSB sole source awards DOL raises contractor minimum wage rate for 2016 GSA ready to release RFP for Networx follow-on Navy releasing RFI for NGEN follow-on Protesters challenge 18F agile BPA Treasury should preserve Recovery Operations Center's analytical tools, GAO advises Agencies should complete reinvestment plans for IT cost savings, GAO advises DPAP updates clauses regarding prohibition on contracting with the enemy DLA stands up cadre of contingency contracting officers Continuing resolution could challenge JSF program, officials say Long-term continuing resolution could jeopardize tanker contract From the Hill: Outlook on Government Funding Remains Murky Laws to Regs: Agencies Get Guidance on WOSB Program and FITARA Requirements

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: Executive order requires contractors to offer paid sick leave 18F project uses collaboration to help develop federal workforce DoD proposes to create Defense Digital Services teams Lockheed protests Army's JLTV production award tate seeks input on cybersecurity playbooks Air Force master sergeant wins contingency contracting officer award 2015 Bold Award winners announced OMB makes technical corrections to guidance on DUNS numbers Correction removes small business planning, bundling thresholds from final rule Communication key to maintaining morale during continuing resolution, former federal official advises Commentary offers leadership tips to improve employee, organizational performance

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: Agencies award identity monitoring contract for OPM hack victims Obama proposes 1 percent raise for federal civilian workers OMB, Treasury finalize DATA Act financial reporting data standards DOE revises conference management guidance Kendall outlines plans for closer coordination of IR&D with industry DFARS deviation raises EVM system compliance review threshold Agency feedback key to success of acquisition gateways, tools, GSA says 18F announces first agile delivery BPA awards FAC 2005-84 makes changes in EPEAT registry, technical amendments USAID extends comment period for proposed rule on faith-based organizations Former federal official offers continuing resolution survival tips

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 agreement enables agencies to use Yelp to obtain client feedback GSA AdvantageSelect offers pre-competed IT commodities DISA releases best practices guide for cloud migration Air Force awards 22 firms spots on agile IDIQ Army awards JLTV contract DOE updates link, contact information for unsolicited proposal submissions Implementation of the Management & Operating Subcontract Reporting Capability (MOSRC) and Special H Clause Six DFARS rules address cybersecurity, use of military construction funds Interim rule raises NASA capitalization threshold OMB says House FY2016 spending proposals would trigger sequester Full-year continuing resolution would complicate DoD programs, officials say Agency IT offices should prepare for administration transition, commentary says Coast Guard acquisition strategy focused on managing requirements