Hi there loyal readers! We’ve been getting some great cool fall weather here in Lawrence. Seems like summer is officially over. Hope you’re enjoying fall as well.
We also hope you enjoy’s this week’s round-up of government contracting news, including stories about GSA’s new commercial e-Marketplace, issues impacting women veteran-owned businesses, and an update to LPTA procurements for non-DOD agencies (we recently blogged about the related LPTA update for DOD agencies).
Continue readingHappy Fall Ya’ll! We’ve finally been getting a welcome taste of fall weather, after what seemed like a very long summer season. Hope you are enjoying the season change as much as we are.
But for now, it’s time for another dose of government contracting news. This week, stories about increased use of AI in government contracting, the role of small business in the next moon mission, and a guilty plea for rigging bids at government auctions.
Continue readingPop quiz: Your company is the only technically acceptable offeror in an lowest-priced, technically acceptable procurement. You win, right? Not when the agency cancels the solicitation, hoping that a cheaper offeror who was not technically acceptable will submit a bid if given another chance. GAO recently considered this very scenario.
Continue readingIt’s Friday, which means it’s time for another weekend of college football. Here in Lawrence, there is some renewed interest in the Jayhawks after last week’s surprise Friday night upset over Boston College. Let’s hope the Hawks can keep the intensity up tomorrow.
It also means it’s time for another roundup of some of the more interesting updates from the federal government contracting world. This week, we look at stories including that Federal, state, and local authorities are intensifying scrutiny of minority contracting programs; the House Small Business Committee Chairwoman pushes for improvements to SBA’s 8(a) Program; and whether AI can help decide if work is inherently governmental.
Continue readingIt’s Friday the 13th and a harvest moon. That isn’t going to happen again until 2049. So be safe out there, don’t let any black cats cross your path as you look at the moon, and enjoy this rare event.
You can also enjoy some updates from the world of federal government contracting news, as there are some interesting tidbits this week. For instance, we’ve been hearing about the bribery charges for FEMA officials, examples of malicious actors targeting government contractors, and details about DOD’s use of pilot programs for software-only appropriations.
Continue readingRecently, the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals determined that SDVOSB owners aren’t always required to personally possess the licenses required for their businesses.
Continue readingGAO recently gave its blessing to a VA decision not to follow the Rule of Two, despite knowing several SDVOSBs would bid. The VA’s decision was based on the contracting officer’s opinion that prices would not be fair and reasonable based on an evaluation of prices and market research.
The decision is important for providing some clarification on what research a contracting officer must undertake to establish that prices will not be fair and reasonable for purposes of the Rule of Two.
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