Our first SmallGovCon Week In Review of August is jam-packed with great articles to keep you informed on the latest and greatest (or maybe not-so-greatest) in government contracting.  This month features stories on the OPM hack, the soaring popularity of reverse auctions, how procurement reform is shifting, a new executive order and a new rule that may be detrimental to contractors.

• The OMB is taking steps to prevent future hacks of government agencies via contractors. [Washington Technology]
• Reverse auctions have become so popular that when industry leader FedBid was suspended, GSA’s reverse auction business skyrocketed. [Federal News Radio]
• A judge ordered USAID’s suspension of the largest war-zone nonprofit contractor to be lifted even though “serious misconduct” had occurred. [The Washington Post]
• The Navy has been given the lead in finding a contractor to protect OPM hack victims. [Government Executive]
• Commentator Andrew Chang gives his take on the culture shift of procurement reform. [Federal Times]
• A executive order by President Obama will force any company that contracts with the federal government to issue paid leave to employees who are sick, are seeking medical attention or need to care for a sick relative. [NY Times]
• Sources Sought notices are on a dramatic rise in recent years: read about the trends, tips and what to expect after your respond. [Set-Aside Alert]
• The GSA’s proposal for contractors to submit pricing data for every transaction is causing heartburn among vendors who  say that the rule – if implemented as initially written – would be detrimental to wages, completion and limit growth opportunities for small business. [Federal News Radio]