SmallGovCon Week In Review: January 15-19, 2018

Will they or won’t they? That is the question looming today, which is the deadline to temporarily halt a partial shutdown of the government. While we keep our eyes on news from Washington, we have other noteworthy news and commentary in this edition of SmallGovCon Week In Review.

This week, we have stories about the implementation of the so-called “Amazon Amendment,” a new bill aims to improve transparency surrounding change orders, a large business pays $1.7 million to settle allegations of overcharges on a GSA Schedule contract, and more.

  • The General Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget hosted an Industry Day on Section 846 of the 2018 NDAA–the so-called “Amazon Amendment.” [Federal News Radio]
  • A Nebraska Congressman has introduced the “Change Order Transparency for Federal Contractors Act,” which would require agencies to release change order information to bidders on new contracts. [The Ripon Advance]
  • A Chinese mobile phone maker is facing a ban that would prevent its phones and equipment from being used by the U.S. government. [Silicon Angle]
  • The GSA has reopened a “new and improved” Schedule 75, and has added a new enhanced Special Item Number for Office Products & Services. [U.S. General Services Administration]
  • The GSA plans to officialize regulations on how contractors should handle and protect sensitive information for federal clients. [fedscoop]
  • The GO Topeka program is connecting Kansas small businesses with government contracts. If you’re in Kansas, like we are, you owe it to yourself to connect with the Kansas PTAC. [Topeka Capital Journal]
  • Accenture Federal Services LLC has agreed to pay more than $1.7 million to resolve allegations that it overcharged the government under a GSA Schedule contract. [U.S. Department of Justice]
  • Government contracts guru Mark Amtower describes five steps to stand out from the crowd in 2018 to help your business get more government contracting dollars. [Washington Technology]

Questions about this post? Or need help with a government contracting legal issue? Email us or give us a call at 785-200-8919.

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