Archive for the ‘Region - DC’ Category

BUDGET CUTS Are Coming … DC-Area Contractors WILL Feel It!

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

A Department of Defense budget proposal could eliminate more than 6,100 jobs in Virginia.  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced a proposed budget that will close the U. S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), a major employer with over 1 million square feet of real estate in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA.  As reported by The Washington Post on August 9, 2010, the proposal will also slash the Pentagon’s budget for military contractors over the next three years, significantly impacting the economy of the Washington region. Stephen Fuller, Director of the Center of Regional Analysis at George Mason University commented (more…)

DC Launches Tax Amnesty; Waives All Penalties and Fees on Back Taxes Paid by September 30, 2010

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

On Monday August 2^nd 2010, the DC Office of Tax and Revenue announced the start of its long-anticipated Tax Amnesty program. Under this program, delinquent taxpayers will:
(a) Get a rare opportunity to pay outstanding taxes and interest to the District.
(b) Have their penalties and fees waived, and
(c) Avoid criminal prosecution. 

The Amnesty program will run from August 2, 2010, through September 30, 2010. A public awareness program is underway to reach the residents of the District, adjacent suburbs and across the country. DC has also set up a special website (www.dctaxamnesty.com) to assist affected taxpayers.

Aronson & Company’s team of state and local tax experts is ready to assist affected taxpayers with issues such as eligibility requirements; required documents, including application forms; and, expediting payments and liability resolution. Affected taxpayers should contact either Jack Koniszewski at 301-231-6205 or Henry Chiwaya at 301-222-8217 or visit our website.

David Ehrenwerth Named Regional Administrator of GSA Mid-Atlantic Region

Friday, June 25th, 2010

WASHINGTON — GSA announced the appointment of David Ehrenwerth to serve as the Regional Administrator of GSA’s Mid-Atlantic Region.  As the Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Ehrenwerth will oversee GSA operations in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, including management of federal real estate and information technology. He will be responsible for an inventory of more than 750 government-owned or leased buildings and 1,000 employees.

“David Ehrenwerth will be a tremendous addition to the GSA leadership team as we work to create a greener, more efficient, more cost-effective, more open, and more responsible government for the American people,” said Martha N. Johnson, Administrator of General Services. “His commitment to public service and his experience in real estate and urban development will be invaluable to GSA as we pursue this effort in the Mid-Atlantic Region.” (more…)

Rate Escalations on Multi-Year Contracts May Be Affected By 2% Federal Pay Raise

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Service providers accustomed to 3 – 4% annual rate escalations on multi-year contracts may be surprised by the rate escalation at their next negotiation.  Nationwide, economic conditions have led to dramatic decreases in the Employment Cost Index (ECI), a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that tracks changes in private sector compensation which is used by Federal agencies when negotiating out-year escalations.  This, accompanied by President Obama’s executive order holding federal civilian 2010 pay raises at 2.0%, and the 1.4% pay raise proposed in the 2011 budget, will impact Contracting Officers’ negotiation stance.

Federal contractors, especially those in the Washington, D.C. metro area less affected by the recession, who continue to give 3 – 5% pay raises to attract and retain employees do this at risk of taking a hit to their bottom line.  Additionally, the 2010 package extends the A-76 moratorium on new public-private competitions for federal work and requires non-DoD federal agencies to annually review whether work now being done by private contractors should be insourced to federal employees.  Need assistance with government contract negotiation?  Contact Aronson & Company’s Government Contracts Solutions Group.

DC Announces Joint and Married Filing Separately Options for Domestic Partners and Same-sex Spouses

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

On January 12, 2010 the District of Columbia’s Office of Tax and Revenue (DC OTR) announced that individuals who are registered domestic partners in the District or are in similar relationships from other jurisdictions or will be able to file jointly, or married filing separately, on a combined return for the tax year 2009. Further, subject to approval by the U.S. Congress, expected by March 2, 2010, same-sex individuals who were married in other jurisdictions will be able to file jointly, or married filing separately, on a combined form for the tax year 2009. To avoid having to file amended returns later, same-sex spouses are advised to defer filing their DC personal income returns until after March 2, 2010 . (more…)

How do Inclement Weather and Extra Holiday Federal Closings Impact Federal Contractors Working at Government Sites?

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Federal contractors potentially have two unplanned Federal government closings impacting their business this month.  Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are closed today, December 21, 2009, due to inclement weather.  Therefore, federal non-emergency employees (including employees on pre-approved leave) will be granted excused absence for the number of hours they were scheduled to work.  In addition, President Obama issued Executive Order 15323, closing all executive branch departments and Agencies at midday on Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24, 2009).

If you are a Federal Contractor with employees working on Federal Government sites, what do these closings mean to you? (more…)

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming GSA Events

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

GSA is sponsoring the following training and events online or in the DC area:

November 17, 2009: GSA Schedules Training Webinar - The Office of Small Business Utilization conducts monthly training on the process of obtaining a GSA schedules contract.

November 24, 2009: GSA Schedules Contract Training - How to Obtain a GSA Schedules Contract (Washington, DC)

November 24, 2009: Q&A Webinars for Small Business - This webinar is a follow-up to the monthly GSA Schedules webinar and the quarterly Marketing webinar.

December 1, 2009: Marketing to the Government Webinar - This webinar provides marketing tips and strategies for vendors with government contracts.

December 29, 2009: GSA Schedules Contract Training - How to Obtain a GSA Schedules Contract (Washington, DC)

April 21, 2010: 20th Anniversary OSDBU Procurement Conference 2010 - This conference will provide networking and educational opportunities for small businesses. (Chantilly, VA)

New green procurement policies mean opportunities and changes for contractors

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Both opportunities and challenges await contractors as a result of Executive Order 13514 on Federal Sustainability.  One particular component, the green procurement policy, will cover 95 percent of new contracts and acquisitions and carry a lot of weight due to the government’s mammoth buying power which exceeds more than a half trillion dollars spent on goods and services annually.

Some “green-oriented” companies could win never-before-seen opportunities. Preference or other incentives could be given for “products manufactured using processes that minimize greenhouse gas emissions.” Other longtime contractors may get the boot because their products don’t fit the new eco-friendly bill.  Green purchasing advocates have pushed for — and some local jurisdictions say they are complying with — policies to stop contracts for eco-unfriendly items like bottled water.  Requirements may also be imposed – recommendations could include requiring vendors to register with a voluntary greenhouse gas emissions registry and disclose their efforts to reduce emissions.

(more…)

How Does Your Organization Compare Against the Best? Deltek to Reveal GovCon Operational Trends at Clarity ‘09

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Join Aronson & Company at the Deltek Clarity ‘09 GovCon Industry Trends Event to get a first-hand look at the best practices and critical data to lead government contractors 2010 success.  Speakers and topics for the Tuesday, November 17th event include:

• Insight into Operational Trends – learn from the most successful government contractors out there – hear from Rich Wilkinson, Deltek GovCon Industry Vice President
• 2010 Industry Spending Outlook – see where the money is going and how you can get it – presented by Kevin Plexico, Senior Vice President, INPUT
• Hear the results of Clarity ‘09, one of the largest surveys of how government contractors operate

Date: Tuesday, November 17,2009, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Tysons Corner Marriott, 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
Please contact, Tina Rodell, Deltek Director, Partner Marketing Programs for more information or assistance:

Tel: 703.885.9681
Fax: 703.738.1874
Cell: 703.593.7045
tinarodell@deltek.com

Get Up Close & Personal with Federal IT leaders at the 11/10 Mid-Atlantic CIO&CTO Event

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Getting an audience with senior IT professionals can be difficult.  The Mid-Atlantic CIO&CTO eliminates the need for cold calls by bringing together IT purchasing leaders in the federal, commercial and non-profit marketplace. Live on November 10, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.  Your seat purchase will give you an opportunity to spend an hour at the General Reception where you can network with the following IT leaders as well as over 100 of their peers, then have a seat at the Who’s Who of IT in the region.

Register today to have the unique opportunity to meet and network with the Mid-Atlantic’s IT purchasing leaders from the following agencies and companies: • Casey Coleman, CIO, General Services Administration • Peter Fonash, CIO, Department of Homeland Security and Director of the National Cyber Security Division • Jeffrey Johnson, Deputy CIO, Constellation Energy • Devon Bryan, Associate CIO, Internal Revenue Service • Victor Thompson, Deputy CIO, NASA • Douglas Norton, VP and CIO, Northrop Grumman.

Register now to be a part of CIO&CTO Live! If you have questions, please call Mark Glazer Director, MdTech Programs Tech Council of Maryland at 240-243-4045 or e-mail at mglazer@techcouncilmd.com.