As we wind down 2019, all of us at SmallGovCon would like to wish our readers a happy and prosperous 2020! No doubt the new year will bring plenty of regulatory changes, impactful decisions, and other important updates in the federal contracting world. We’ll help you keep a handle on it.
Category Archives: Events
Posts dealing with seminars, webinars, and other government contracting events in which Steven Koprince is a speaker, panelist, sponsor, etc.
GSA Releases IT Security and Authentication Solutions for Federal Agencies
GSA released a Draft Identity, Credentialing, and Access Management (ICAM) Solutions Catalog in response to an Executive Order and a new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policy. These ICAM Solutions will assist federal agencies in managing and monitoring user access to information systems in order to ensure secure operations and could change security and authentication procedures for federal contractors. From the President on down, cybersecurity, including authentication, is a pressing concern for all federal contractors.
READ MOREVeterans Business Conference at Fort Bliss, TX
Earlier this week, I was privileged to attend and present at the 14th Annual Veterans Business Conference. As always, the Contract Opportunities Center at El Paso Community College did a great job organizing the conference and connecting contractors with information they need to thrive. In the morning, I presented on size/affiliation issues and joint ventures and mentor protégé agreements. And at lunch, I spoke about various legal developments affecting small businesses. After that, the whole conference was treated to a motivational speech by Jack Tilley, a former Sergeant Major of the Army.
All in all, the conference was a grand success, and I am grateful for my involvement. My special thanks goes to Pablo Armendariz and Melissa Murphy for their invitation and their superb organizing efforts.
Thanks to the Missouri Procurement Conference 2019!
I recently returned from the Procurement Conference 2019 featuring Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler in Warrensburg, Mo. It was a great experience! The remarks of the Congresswoman, as well as those of keynote speaker the Hon. Alan Shaffer, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Acquisition & Sustainment.
One theme they both touched on was that the Department of Defense is looking for great ideas from contractors and wants to pay well for those innovative ideas. That’s good news for federal contractors!
Thanks to all who organized the event, especially Bill Stuby with Missouri PTAC. I was able to provide an update on current issues in government contracting to a lively audience. And thanks to all who stopped by our booth to chat!
GSA Demystifies DUNS Replacement ID
“Change can be confusing. Change can be frustrating.” No, this is not from the cover of a self-help book. This is GSA’s acknowledgment that, often, we fear change.
To combat fears about changes to the DUNS number, GSA recently released a Q&A providing some answers on the new Unique Entity ID (UEI) Standard, which is set to replace the current DUNS system in December 2020. The Q&A followed GSA’s online meeting on the topic in July, which hosted over 700 attendees. GSA answered general questions about the transition, the UEI that will be used, and how to obtain a new identifier. Let’s take a look.
Continue readingGSA On Track to Release Consolidated MAS Program Schedule On First of October
This week, GSA announced it is on track to debut its Consolidated Multiple Acquisition Schedule (MAS) Program Schedule Solicitation on October 1. GSA also gave federal contractors planning to bid on the MAS a head start on the process by releasing a final draft solicitation and an updated industry FAQs sheet. Let’s take a look at how to utilize this opportunity to prepare for the solicitation’s long-awaited debut.
Continue readingThank you, ICBS Show!
Last week I had the honor of presenting at the annual Indian Country Business Summit (ICBS) show in Norman, Oklahoma.
It was my first time at the event and first time in Norman. Great town, great people.
Much thanks to Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network – Oklahoma’s PTAC and the Tribal Government Institute for inviting me and hosting a fantastic event. Good times!