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: CBO says no further sequestration required for FY2015 Agency regulatory reviews expected to save $22 billion over five years GSA announces FY2016 City Pair Program contracts and per diem rates GSA will update IAE to reflect adjustments to acquisition dollar thresholds FAS has taken action to prevent improper intervention in MAS contracts, GSA OIG reports GSA releases RFPs for human capital and training solutions contract President makes Presidential Innovation Fellows program permanent NASA seeks researchers to help develop its innovation challenges OMB issues draft guidance on improving cybersecurity in federal acquisition DHS, GSA modifying acquisition strategy, readying dashboard for CDM program Labor OIG recommends measures to improve information security

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 Headlines covered in this week's podcast: Bill would require IG reports on agency cybersecurity OMB issues draft guidance on improving cybersecurity in federal acquisition DoD to streamline headquarters organization More training, guidance needed on use of FSS program, GAO finds Better measures could help GSA improve real estate performance, GAO finds 18F tool aims to streamline purchase card approval process ASI Advisory: The Bona Fide Needs Rule in 2015: An Updated Look at This Fundamental Rule of Federal Acquisition VAO Webinar: Back to Basics - Understanding and Managing Options

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: Draft executive order would require contractors to offer paid sick leave GAO identifies best practices for strategic reviews GSA, NAVSEA issue RFQs for identity protection services BPA, task order Senate confirms Turner Roth to head GSA Commerce creates data services team GSA's Reuse Center saves money by repurposing building materials Industry groups warns of possible disruptions as FSS evergreen contracts near expiration Matheny tapped to head IARPA Army releases guidance on cloud migrations DPAP issues reminders for FSS orders Proposed rule would add guidance to DFARS on requiring cost and pricing data DoD corrects final rule on acquisition-related thresholds Comment period extended for proposed rule on Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces order Proposed rules clarify use of federal funds by organizations providing social services Government doing well at small business contracting, former OFPP administrator 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: Agencies must move to electronic invoicing, OMB says Executive order aims to push computing capabilities forward GAO recommends best practices for combating fraud Senate passes Federal Improper Payments Coordination Act DoD instruction updates procedures for above standard building services DoD awards electronic health records contract DHS commits to using GSA's OASIS contracts Final rule updates Commerce regulations related to grant programs DOT could improve contract closeout, OIG finds Vendors praise sprint for 18F agile BPA

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 guidance directs agencies to use FAPIIS for grant recipient performance reporting Final rule updates VA regulations related to grant programs Air Force awards cloud platform contract FCC plans for 100 percent cloud computing by FY2017 Air Force, Northrop Grumman testing open systems architecture Air Force applying cognitive computing to acquisition VA to hold prototyping event for veteran-assistive technologies DIA awards 50 firms spots on E-SITE IT contract Lockheed Martin to acquire Sikorsky NDAA provision would undercut secretary's oversight of major programs, DoD official warns Army's Odierno supports more acquisition authority for service chiefs White paper calls for prioritizing program management

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 outlines priorities for FY2017 Cobert to replace Archuleta at OPM New OASIS Dashboard provides task order spending data GSA releases RFI for leading edge technologies on Alliant II GSA launches commodity IT initiative Large firms continue to win small business contracts, advocacy organization claims USPS can improve software development procedures, OIG finds DOE directs distribution of contractor drug test form NRC issues guidance on oversight of counterfeit and suspect items in nuclear industry DoD continues to improve past performance reporting DPAP releases competition results for third quarter FY2015 Comment period extended for proposed rule implementing Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces order Contractors that deliver projects on or under budget more profitable, study determines

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 issues FY2017 budget preparation guidance Government surpasses small business contracting goal DOE issues revised AL addressing inherently governmental functions FAS could improve contracting officer training, warranting programs, GSA OIG finds Report recommends leveraging private sector innovation to maintain DoD's technological superiority DoD releases manual for non-tactical vehicles; updated contingency contracting handbook USPS proposed rule would revise rules related to debarment Treasury announces prompt payment interest rate FHWA proposed rule would implement construction manager/general contractor contracting FAC 2005-83 addresses acquisition thresholds; commercial item test program HHS identifying next innovation steps DHS launches Procurement Innovation Lab Army plans challenge for cyber defense gear NGA preparing guidance to speed acquisition

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 preparing guidance on services contracting GSA launches new market research platform GAO identifies project management shortfalls in Farm Service Agency IT program VA OIG determines appropriations were "parked" at GPO DOT OIG recommends steps to improve cloud services acquisitions DOE announces BPA for print management services DOE provides guidance on use of STRIPES IRS needs stronger controls to prevent awards to companies with unpaid tax debt, TIGTA finds Senate confirms TSA administrator Air Force testing open architecture acquisition model DFARS final rules address acquisition thresholds, legal costs in whistleblower cases House hearing addresses concerns about GSA's transactional data collection plan

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 bill would allow agencies to share job candidates Legislation aims to strengthen program management Interior and Environment appropriations bills advance Senate panel approves DHS funding measure Bill would establish federal charge card oversight office at GSA 18F releases solicitation for agile delivery BPA DHS OIG offers grantees tips for managing FEMA disaster assistance funds DISA announces new director NDAA provisions could assign penalties for cost overruns Better defined requirements could combat "creep" in DoD programs, GAO finds

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: Breach at OPM may affect 4 million former, current federal employees OPM outlines steps to take in wake of data breach Administration invites input for open government action plan OFPP encouraging agencies to create own Buyers Clubs DoD names new DPAP director U.S. Marshals Service director to retire Proposed rule would implement SBA subcontracting regulations OMB releases final FITARA implementation guidance Some lawmakers seek to exclude DOE labs from FITARA

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 issues reverse auction guidance Proposed rule would establish new locality pay areas GSA identifies steps to smooth transition to NS2020 GSA unveils online resources for professional services contracting 18F publishes best practice guides for digital services DoD updates guidance on acquiring, managing IT services DoD instruction addresses protection of critical program information Proposed rule would define multiple-award contract Proposed rule would implement regulations on contract bundling Proposed rule, guidance would implement executive order on fair pay, safe workplaces