So the sky hasn't fallen and the sun appears to be rising as it always has. Is all good? Here are some of the recent headlines that I think provide a snapshot of where we are headed. I try my best to ignore the agenda-laden articles and focus in on fact-based articles and opinions. Once … [Read more...]
Expanding the Meaning of Direct Economic Interest in a Bid Protest
Having “standing” or the “right” to sue in a bid protest action is generally limited to those parties that (1) are actual or potential bidders and (2) have a direct economic interest in the contract. The definition of direct economic interest is constantly evolving. Parties can be considered to … [Read more...]
People Power Companies. People Are Social Beings. Get Social Companies.
As always I enjoyed reading the latest post on the Bridged Design blog: #BareItAll: The Importance of Interaction They share the background of the increasingly popular #BareItAll topic started on Twitter in January of this year. Here's an excerpt: #BareItAll: A Case … [Read more...]
Small Business Awards Fall 4%, No-Bid Contracts Rise 9%
During Obama's first term federal government contracts awarded to small businesses fell by about 4 percent. Making this pill harder to swallow is the fact that federal agencies awarded $115.2 billion in no-bid contracts in fiscal year 2012, an 8.9 increase from $105.8 billion from 2009 during the … [Read more...]
Air Force blocks access to a GovCon blog site with its Bluecoat AFNet firewall
Here's a call for action from our friend Bill Spriggs. Seems someone with the Air Force didn't take kindly to his article, Unconscionability in Contracting, he published yesterday so they blocked access to his website. This will be interesting. Not sure what can or should be done, but they have … [Read more...]
Unconscionability in Contracting
An interesting situation and commentary by Bill Spriggs, a GovCon lawyer who writes interesting articles regularly at: Spriggs Law Group Yesterday, a contracting officer told a contractor to decrease its price by 10% "for sequestration related cuts, without any changes to contractual services … [Read more...]
Some Sure Fire Ways to Fix Government Contracting and Raise Some Eyebrows!
Every so often someone says things that need to be said. Not that it will change anything, but just to reassure others who share their sentiments that they aren't alone. Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry published some sure fire ways to radically change how government contracting gets done in a recent Forbes … [Read more...]
Google Now for Government Contractors
The buzz is growing around Google Now. If you're not familiar with Google Now..., well um, I guess you are now. It's hot stuff. Having been at the leading edge, and sometimes the dangerous "bleeding edge", I see a lot of cool gadgets, apps, software, etc.. come on the scene, and pay little mind to … [Read more...]
Social Networks: Why NOT Leverage Them All?
Bridged Design's latest blog about their recent "field trip" to a social media training/networking event left them scratching their heads. Seems the focus of the presentation was on LinkedIn and how valuable it was to professionals and businesses in the government contracting industry. No doubt all … [Read more...]
GW Law Spring 2013 Government Procurement Newsletter
Sequestration and GovCon: How to Prepare for the Punch
Bridged Design offers some thoughts in a recent blog post on the "dreaded beast" stomping its way towards our federal spending budget. With an ETA of March 1st the sound of approaching footsteps has everyone on edge. How will the masses react when they can actually see this sequestration? Spring … [Read more...]
DCAA Won’t Let You Hide Anyway
"He who has nothing to hide, hides nothing." - Dr. Phil The recent National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013 (NDAA) has me scratching my head. As a former DCAA auditor, I can many times remember getting a little pushback from contractors on what it was that I was "allowed" to ask … [Read more...]