FEDBIZOPPS Adds Stimulus Opportunity Section
FEDBIZOPPS (FBO) has added a special link to its home page that will take interested vendors directly to opportunities related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Additionally, FBO now includes a special “Recovery” icon on these opportunities for easy identification. We highly recommending bookmarking this page so that you can keep up to date with the slew of opportunities that are being issued on nearly an hourly basis. Since February 24th, 301 stimulus projects have made their way to FBO and 131 of those were added THIS WEEK. Many of these projects are extremely time-sensitive, so keep your eyes open and don’t miss your big chance!
DOD Continues Suspension of SDB Price Evaluation Adjustment
Federal law allows DOD to grant Small Disadvantaged Businesses a 10% price evaluation adjustment or preference in order to help DOD meet its small business contracting goals. The law allows DOD to suspend the price evaluation adjustment if DOD met its SDB goal during the preceding year. The price evaluation adjustment was initially suspended in March 2007 because DOD had met it goal of awarding 5% of procurement dollars to SDBs. DOD announced it was extending the suspension but acknowledged that the recent Rothe decision which ruled the practice unconstitutional, may make it a moot point. The Rothe decision is currently being appealed. Further, as the DOD price evaluation preference is rarely if ever used, the SBA has stopped certifying SDBs.
For more information on the Rothe decision and the DOD SDB preference program please see our previous blog posting here. For our previous blog about the SBA and the SDB certification process please click here.
Stimulus Reporting Requirements Spawn Online Universe
The massive economic stimulus package has spawned its own online universe as agencies strive to track and report their stimulus spending. Beyond the White House’s Recovery.gov, many state and federal websites now have their own recovery web pages to explain how they are spending funds allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These websites, linked to Recovery.gov, allow the public visibility into federal and state spending of the $787 billion under the economic stimulus law.
Right now, Recovery.gov provides links to 35 state websites and 25 federal agency websites monitoring their share of spending under the law. As of Feb. 17, governors had 45 days to claim the funds allocated to their state by certifying that they will spend the money appropriately on projects for jobs and economic growth. Currently, 26 states have posted their certifications on Recovery.gov. More states and agencies are expected to participate soon as this universe continues to expand.
Looking for Contracting Opportunities with the Federal Government?
Join Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) of Metro Washington and Aronson & Company for this Management Education Seminar on 3/26/09!
ABC Presents: Looking for Contracting Opportunities with the Federal Government – Do You Have the Tools to Complete the Job? Attend this seminar to receive:
- An overview of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) contracting opportunities for the building and contracting industry;
- An overview of GSA schedules that have construction components;
- Details about GSA public buildings service and;
- Analysis of where the Federal Government is spending construction dollars.
Cost: ABC Member $99.00 / Non-Member $139.00
Date: 3/26/2009 – 3/26/2009
Time: 8:30:00 AM – 10:30:00 AM
Location:
Aronson & Company
700 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 300
Rockville MD 20850
Click on the link for more information and to Register Now!
M&A Report: Good news for government contractors…
In the March 2009 issue of The Global M&A and Private Equity Report, Factset research reported that the outlook for government services companies looks promising, with M&A activity and valuations holding up relative to other market sectors. The US M&A Report article referenced a recent report by Aronson Capital Partners (ACP).
Worries about the fate of defense spending have pushed down the value of the biggest companies in the sector by 28% over the past year, according to a report from middle-market M&A advisor Aronson Capital Partners. Yet firms that specialize in more general types of government services have only seen their value decline 1% over the same period. That divergence means that investors are still bullish on growth in government spending, says ACP Managing Partner Larry Davis. Aside from the new stimulus plan, an aging government workforce will require more outsourcing and modernization. To view the full US M&A Report article click here.
Aronson Capital Partners provides a full range of M&A and corporate finance advisory services to help clients achieve their growth and liquidity objectives. For more information Contact Larry Davis, 301.231.6225, ldavis@aronsoncapitalpartners.com.
DDK Technology Group, Inc. acquired by ManTech International Corporation
March 13, 2009 – Aronson Capital Partners (“ACP”) is pleased to announce the sale of DDK Technology Group, Inc. to ManTech International Corporation. ACP served as the exclusive financial advisor to DDK in this transaction.
Lanham, Maryland based DDK delivers highly evolved IT, analysis, and operational support to Federal Law Enforcement, Defense, and Intelligence Communities. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, ManTech International Corporation is a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs for the Intelligence Community. Read more
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, we are 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 Sponsors Upcoming Training Events
Be certain to mark your calendars for these exciting GSA-sponsored training courses coming up in the next few months:
March 17, 2009: GSA Schedules Training Webinar for Small Business, Washington DC
March 25, 2009: GSA 8(a) STARS II Industry Conference, Washington DC
April 2, 2009: Marketing to the Federal Government Webinar, Washington DC
April 22, 2009: OSDBU Procurement Conference 2009, Chantilly VA
June 9-11, 2009: GSA Expo, San Antonio TX
Federal Stimulus Money to Benefit Maryland
The recently passed Stimulus package will significantly benefit businesses operating in Maryland. Maryland is expected to receive $3.75 billion in direct funds over the next three years. $904 million are dedicated to infrastructure projects such as highways, transit, housing, and drinking water. $1.3 billion are dedicated to medicaid and other health care projects. Over $100 million will be used for energy projects. Last but not least $1.5 billion are target for various Education projects.
The above figures represent only the direct funding, which is many cases will be spent at the local government level. Maryland will also benefit indirectly from Federal spending in Maryland on such projects as the expansion of the Bethesda Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health.
GSA Gets $7 Billion in the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009
The largest user of the GSA schedules program, GSA itself, is expected to receive over $7 Billion in funding under this act. GSA is responsible for implementing a number of programs addressed by President Obama, especially the “Greening” of public buildings.
GSA will be spending some of the $7 billion on: “Greening” of public buildings, IT security, IT system upgrades, engineering services, financial reporting systems and transition/change management.
The Obama administration is stressing the importance of getting the money into programs that will quickly stimulate the economy. GSA will surely be looking to some of it’s 16,000+ experts ( GSA Schedule contract holders) for implementation of many of these projects. Monitoring of FedBizOpps and e-Buy should be the top priority for business development staff.
State and local governments appear to be the biggest $ winners under the Act. GSA Schedule contractors holding the Information Technology (70) or Law Enforcement (84) GSA Schedule contracts have “cooperative purchasing” capabilities, allowing them to capitalize on this state/local spending. Identifying which states and local governments are likely to use GSA Schedule contracts to make purchases is the hardest part of the equation to solve.
DCAA Director Warns of BIG Changes
DCAA Director April Stephenson recently spoke to contractors regarding several memorandums issued in late 2008; Audit Guidance on Limited Scope Audit Reports on Internal Controls and Denial of Access to Records Due to Contractor Delays. Ms. Stephenson started out her presentation by announcing “Welcome to a New Day”, which was the continuing theme for the discussion. What does this “New Day” mean for contractors?
1. DCAA taking a harder black and white approach in interpreting the rules and regulations
2. Contractors adhering to tight time contracts yet no time adherence requirements on DCAA
3. More audit findings of “Inadequate” and possible suspension of payments more likely to occur.
4. Greater delays in finalizing indirect rates for non-major contractors.
5. Increased data requested by auditors.
6. Significantly increased testing during Internal Control Audits for major contractors.
7. DCAA will not perform Internal Control Audits for non-major contractors, only 1408 Accounting System Audits.
Follow these links for highlights from the meeting and to view Ms. Stephenson’s full slide presentation.
If you are already feeling the impacts of these changes we would love to hear from you – please post your comment or contact Donna Dominguez directly at (301) 231-6200, DDominguez@AronsonCompany.com. Look for updates on this topic in future Aronson & Company blog postings. We are leading our clients to total harmony, total solutions, and total success in the government marketplace.
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What We Are Writing
- A Marriage of Inconvenience: GSA Schedule Contracts & The Contractor Code of Business Ethics & Conduct Clause
- Emerging Small Businesses: To Grow Your Business, You Must Plan For Growth
- Government Contracting: Look Before You Leap!
- GSA Schedules – Strategies for Success
- New Employee vs. Independent Contractor Considerations
- Pay on Display – Understanding the Executive Compensation and Subcontractor Data Reporting Requirements & Ramifications
- The GSA Schedule: Your Ticket to the Federal Market (May 2010)
- The New FAR Codes of Conduct and Compliance Program Provisions
- The Seven Deadly Sins (of contract compliance)