Archive for October, 2009

VA and GSA Contracts and H1N1 – Are You “Disaster Recovery” Ready?

Friday, October 30th, 2009

On October 24, 2009, President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 “swine” flu outbreak a national emergency.  As a result of the H1N1 emergency declaration, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments can now purchase needed supplies from all GSA Schedule Contract and VA Schedule Contracts participating in the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program. As noted in our previous posting on the Public Health Emergency declaration, GSA Schedule contract holders can decline state/local orders at their discretion, as long as they do so within five days of receipt of a task order (or within 24 hours for a credit card order).

GSA and VA Schedule Contractors participating in the program have the Disaster Recovery icon on the left visible online at GSA’s eLibrary and GSAAdvantage!® and are clearly identifiable as resources in this national emergency. Depending on the eventual scope and scale of the federal response, agencies may need to purchase immediate items (cleaning supplies, emergency shelters, medical equipment, etc.), complementary items (office supplies, hospital furniture, etc.), or services to enable effective and efficient outreach to affected populations (advertising, language services, etc.).  

If you’re interested in adding the Disaster Recovery Program to your GSA or VA Schedule contract, please contact Peter O’Neill by phone at 301-222-8226 or via email at poneill@aronsoncompany.com.  Below is a list of GSA and VA Schedules (partial list) that could be potentially relevant in this scenario.  See GSA’s Guide to H1N1 Influenza Support Products for more information. (more…)

Owe back taxes? Your ability to do business with the federal government may be in jeopardy

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Both the House and Senate have introduced the Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2009 early this year.  The two substantially similar bills, H.R. 572 and S. 265, would prohibit the award of certain federal contracts to any bidder who has seriously delinquent tax debts. If signed into law, this Act will immediately affect any grantee or contractor who is pursuing a federal contract worth over $100,000 and who has outstanding debt due the IRS for which a federal tax lien has been filed.  Neither bill specifies the minimum size of the tax lien.

Should a federal tax lien be on record for…

• Your company, or
• A partner owning at least 50% of the company, or
• A shareholder owning at least 50% or having a less than 50% controlling interest of the company

…then you will not be awarded a contract worth more than $100,000.

Though the bills are presently in committee, act now if you have any federal tax compliance issues.  Don’t wait to find out whether this will become law.  Get proactive and take action now. For more information, please contact: Laurence C. Rubin, CPA, Officer, 301-222-8212, lrubin@aronsoncompany.com

Action Recommendations (more…)

eSRS Reports Due FRIDAY, 10/30!

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

For all those Federal contractors out there who have small business subcontracting plans incorporated into their contracts, don’t forget that your subcontract reporting is due via eSRS no later than Friday, October 30th! For this semi-annual reporting period, contractors must complete both their Individual Subcontracting Reports (ISR, formerly SF294) and Summary Subcontracting Report (SSR, formerly SF295).

Timely subcontract reporting is a requirement for GSA Schedule contract holders and is an evaluation point during Contractor Assistance Visits (CAV). Failure to meet subcontracting goals or to report on time can cause you to receive a rating of “Serious Concerns Exist” on your GSA Report Card, which can negatively impact your ability to renew your GSA Schedule contract. If you have questions about eSRS reporting, please contact your Account Analyst for assistance at 301-231-6200.

DCAA Audit Director, April Stephenson, Reassigned

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

On October 26, 2009, the Associated Press reported “The Pentagon’s chief auditor was forced from her post Monday following sharp criticism from lawmakers over failures to hold defense contractors accountable for overcharges and poor performance.”

Robert Hale, Pentagon comptroller, announced Patrick Fitzgerald, Director of the Army Audit Agency to replace Stephenson on November 9, 2009. Hale told DCAA’s employees that Fitzgerald “has an excellent reputation as a successful manager of a large, geographically diverse audit organization. … I believe that Mr. Fitzgerald is particularly well qualified to guide DCAA during this period.” Fitzgerald brings to the position over 30 years of audit experience and has also been heading the oversight committee created by Hale to monitor DCAA. (more…)

Real-Time Perspectives on Real Federal Contracts

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Perhaps it was never going to be possible in your life time to ever be able to view companies winning federal contracts in real-time. Push aside those cynical thoughts and take a chair…

It is now not only possible to get a free list of contract awardees on a DAILY basis, but it is for the first time also possible to view this information in a variety of different flavors. The link below will take you to a live section of the FEDMINE.US website where you can, from now on, run free real-time reports on a daily basis. (more…)

GSA Training Conference and EXPO 2010 Exhibitor Booth Applications

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

The GSA Training Conference and EXPO 2010, to be held in Orlando Florida, May 4 -6th, is rapidly approaching.

For those of you planning on exhibiting at the GSA Training Conference and EXPO, booth applications will begin to be processed on November 2nd at 1:00 EDT.  BOOTH SPACE TYPICALLY SELLS OUT WITHIN 24 HRS.

Here are a few things GSA recommends to do to be prepared:

(1) Preview the GSA EXPO floor plan.
(2) Review the frequently asked questions.
(3) Basic information needed to complete application:

• GSA Contract Schedule Number(s) and Expiration Date
• Business Name as listed in GSA e-Library
• Business Address as listed in GSA e-Library
• Applicant Contact Information
• Business Classification (example: Small Business; Women-Owned)
• Special Purchasing Programs (example: Cooperative Purchasing; Disaster Recovery)
• Main category of products/services offering from this list
• Green Purchasing Programs that any displayed products qualify under (e.g., Bio-Based; Energy Efficient; Recycled-Content Products)
• If you plan to pay by credit card — credit card number and billing address for payment (payment will not be processed until booths are assigned)

For additional information, visit: http://expo.gsa.gov/exhibitors or call 888-272-5565

GSA Managment Services Acquisition Center Announces Major Reorganization

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

As companies flee commercial markets for seemingly greener Federal pastures, GSA has struggled to handle a deluge of new offers while managing its thousands of existing contracts with a threadbare and overburdened staff. To meet this increasing demand, effective October 26, 2009 the GSA Management Services Acquisition Center (MSC) in Auburn, WA will undertake a major reorganization. The restructuring will radically change how certain GSA contracts are administered.

The MSC is responsible for administering six GSA Schedules, MOBIS (Management Consulting), PES (Engineering), LOGWORLD (Logistics), LANG (Language Services), EAS (Environmental), and CORP (the Consolidated Schedule). As of the end of the third quarter of FY09, there were 4,156 active GSA contracts managed out of the MSC by approximately 23 Contracting Officers / Contract Specialists and 10 interns. (more…)

Camber Corporation Acquires Veritas Analytics, Inc. – A Focus On Counter Cyber Terrorism

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Aronson Capital Partners (“ACP”) is pleased to announce the sale of Veritas Analytics, Inc. to Camber Corporation, a portfolio company of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. on October 1, 2009. ACP served as the exclusive financial advisor to Veritas Analytics in this transaction.

The Veritas Analytics acquisition comes just weeks after Camber acquired i2S, Inc. (Ideas to Solutions), the Columbia, MD-based intelligence analysis and solutions firm. Both Veritas and i2S are part of Camber’s National Security Group, based in Centerville, VA, and signal that Camber is achieving its goal to offer a comprehensive, failsafe approach to preventing cyber terrorism.  ACP also served as the exclusive advisor to client, i2S, for that acquisition.

Aronson Capital Partners is a leading M&A advisor to middle-market government contractors and professional services organizations. ACP provides a full range of M&A and corporate finance advisory services to help clients achieve their growth and liquidity objectives. With an exclusive focus on the federal sector, ACP is able to provide clients with a unique industry perspective along with access to long-standing relationships with key industry participants. Contact Larry Davis, Managing Partner, 301.231.6225, ldavis@aronsoncapitalpartners.com for more information.

GSA Consolidates Furniture Schedule Contracts

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Effective October 1, 2009, GSA Schedules 71 I, 71 II, 71 III, 71 III E and 71 II H have all been merged into the New GSA Schedule 71 entitled Furniture. Products and services included under the new contract include a variety of complete furniture project solutions, including design and installation, for offices, dormitories, barracks, day care and educational facilities, healthcare environments, and more.

In addition, GSA Schedules 72 II and 72 I A have merged into the New GSA Schedule 72 entitled Furnishings and Floor Coverings. Products and services included under the new contract include flooring, carpeting, tile, wall art, window treatments, bedding, and assorted decorative accessories. For additional information regarding either of these new contracts, please email or call Pete O’Neill, Officer, Government Contract Solutions Group, 301-222-8226

Stimulus Reporting Deadline Extended Until October 20, 2009

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

The Recovery Accountability and Transparency (RAT) Board extended the deadline for the first quarterly stimulus reporting to October 20, 2009.  The reports were originally due by October 10, 2009.  The RAT Board cited technical issues and stated that it was more important to get accurate information than to stick to the deadline.  The technical issue apparently concerned some states collecting the data and reporting it in bulk.  The reporting site, Federal Reporting.gov was not set up to accept bulk reports.  Anybody reporting after the original October 10th deadline must include an explanation as to why they were late and their names will be posted on the website as late reporters.