SmallGovCon Week In Review: April 18-22, 2016

Time seems to be flying by, as April already marks the halfway point for the 2016 fiscal year. It won’t be long before procuring agencies are scrambling to get their dollars spent in the fourth quarter.

While contractors work on getting their piece of the annual fourth quarter pie, it’s time for our weekly look at news and notes from the world of federal contracting.  In this week’s edition of SmallGovCon Week In Review, we look at key federal spending date for the first two quarters, the GSA’s plans to reopen the dormant Schedule 75, the SBA’s adoption of new regulations for its Surety Bond Guarantee Program, and much  more.

  • With the release of the 2016 Federal Scorecard, we get a glimpse at the highlights of key federal agency spending trends and top government contractors in fiscal year 2015. [Business Wire]
  • The 2016 fiscal year is half way over so it’s time to take a look at the available federal contracting data to see how much federal departments have spent at the mid-point in the fiscal year and see what might be in store for the second half. [Deltek]
  • The smallest decline in four years for agency spending was reported in fiscal year 2015, showing signs of a rebound and spending stabilization. [Government Executive]
  • Is the new proposed sick leave rule too broad in scope and too punitive in its compliance? [Federal Times]
  • The General Services Administration now to reopen the multiple-award contract known as Schedule 75–after five years of dormancy. [Federal News Radio]
  • The SBA issued a final rule to change the regulations for SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program in four areas. [Federal Register]
  • The length of time it takes for contracts to work their way through the government is a serious concern from Silicon Valley executives who are calling for a better approach to contracting and acquisition. [FCW]
  • Anne Rung, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy administrator, speaks with Bloomberg Government to discuss her plans for category management, and what the purchasing changes may mean for your business. [Bloomberg Government]