Evolve: Operational Improvements
As calendar year 2013 starts so do most of our “New Year Resolutions.” Here are some resolutions to evolve your business and survive the upcoming year:
Exercise judgment without compromising your ethics: We’ve seen it all in 2012 – from suspension to debarment. Pressure has pushed some people to behave unethically. Don’t let that pressure affect your company. When it comes to ethics, proactively implement policies instead of “learning your lesson” later on. All government contractors, large and small, need to have and keep up with their ethics policies.
“Cloud adoption will move from an option to a ‘must have:’” As reported by Government Technology, in the coming year the cloud’s impact on business and government strategies will continue to accelerate, and it will be the biggest driver behind major IT decisions and the biggest IT disruption in 25 years. While the cloud push is not new this year, the next wave of cloud technology, including support and mission systems, will shift your business model and add new requirements to IT contracts in the year to come. Continue reading »
SECURING THE CLOUD: The Future of Cloud Computing in the Defense and Intelligence Communities
Now that the “Cloud First” model of Information Technology (“IT”) infrastructure has been tested and proven by the private sector, the U.S. Federal Government (“USG”) has begun its push into the cloud computing (“CC”) market. USG CC spending is expected to grow at a 40% Compound Annual Growth Rate (“CAGR”) between 2010 and 2015, far outpacing any other USG IT segment… Continue reading »
“Cloud First” Strategy – Opportunities and Improvements for You
What’s been your experience with cloud computing – at your own organization or when interacting with GSA? Was GSA’s May 2011 request for bids from industry for secure, cost-efficient cloud-based email solutions the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to enter the federal market?
The U.S. General Services Administration is the first federal agency to successfully migrate its employees to a cloud-based email service using Google Apps for Government. GSA’s successful transition is the first step in their effort to provide cloud email as a service option to other federal agencies (Source: The GSA Blog, July 26th, 2011)
Cloud IT systems help streamline agency operations, reduces inefficiencies, and free resources for other essential programs. The Obama Administration’s ‘cloud first’ strategy has challenged federal agencies across government to close the information technology gap with the private sector by identifying and migrating three IT capabilities to the cloud within 18 months. Already, 15 agencies have identified 950,000 e-mail boxes across 100 email systems that are going to move to the cloud. Continue reading »
UPDATED Event: Public Health IT GovConNet Breakfast Forum
UPDATED: As the Nation implements recently enacted health reform legislation, our regional businesses are uniquely qualified to assist the federal government to transform Health IT. Maryland is home to HHS, NIH, FDA, NIST, SSA, and the new Cyber Security Command Center and all of these agencies work with businesses to innovate health information technology. This Breakfast Forum is designed to provide insight and information from industry experts so businesses can be prepared to meet this challenge and have access to decision-makers. Larry Davis was recently quoted in Sean Tuckers GovWin blog from this event: “We’re facing some significant reductions in federal spending for the first time in many years,” said moderator Larry Davis, Managing Partner of Aronson Capital Partners. “But we’ve seen that investments in IT enable the government to do more with less.”
What You Need to Know About Clouds
By: Jay G. Ethridge — Principal & Joseph H. Jezior, CPA — Principal
Cloud Computing: Defining The Cloud
Cloud computing, simply defined, is any system run remotely through the Internet. Technically, any such system can be considered a cloud—even one run out of your brother-in-law’s basement. The “cloud” metaphor originates from the telephone infrastructure and symbolized how wired telephone networks were connected together. Today, the same metaphor symbolizes how computer networks are connected through wireless clouds.
Cloud computing is steadily and inexorably revolutionizing the IT marketplace. It is causing a fundamental shift in the role of IT, from an asset that companies own in the form of computers, software and related components to a service that they purchase from utility providers. In fact, we’re witnessing the end of corporate computing. As noted in a 2005 article by that title in the MIT Sloan Management Review, author Nicholas Carr wrote: “The traditional model’s economic foundation already is crumbling and is unlikely to survive in the long run.”
Continue reading »
“Access to Success” 2010 Small Business Procurement and Networking Conference
On Thursday, 10/28/10, Access to Success‘ procurement and marketing workshops will provide an opportunity for small business to connect with GSA program managers, building managers, IT professionals, contracting officers, as well as Small Business Advocates from DoD and other federal agencies. Attendees will also be exposed to prime contractors seeking to partner with small businesses to help meet and exceed their company’s subcontracting plan goals.
This one-day conference is sponsored by the GSA National Capital Region’s Small Business Utilization Center. Register online at www.fbcinc.com/gsa (a nongovernment website). Visit the conference website at www.fbcinc.com/gsa for detailed workshop descriptions and a look at the entire event agenda. GSA Administrator, Martha Johnson is the Invited Keynote Luncheon Speaker! Continue reading »
Understanding Cloud Computing Part 1: What’s Best for Your Enterprise?
Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) have written a seven-part whitepaper series to help you understand what cloud computing is and what it can do for your company. Throughout the series Jay and Joe will define the cloud and discuss its benefits, why companies of all sizes, including Google, Microsoft and the Federal Government, are embracing it, and how you can leverage this new technology at your firm.
Clouds are gathering — but this is a good thing. Cloud computing represents a major paradigm shift in the information technology market. At TBS, we’re the largest provider of cloud hosting for Deltek software, so we don’t want you lost in the clouds. In our new whitepaper series — UNDERSTANDING CLOUD COMPUTING: WHAT’S BEST FOR YOUR ENTERPRISE? Continue reading »
Free GSA IT 70 Training 9/20 & 9/21/10 – Tips on Offers, Marketing, & Compliance
Attendees will gain insight on the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) IT 70 offer process, marketing a MAS IT 70 contract, and keeping schedule contracts in compliance via FREE IT Schedule 70 Business Partner Training classes (Pre-Award and Post-Award). Classes are offered by GSA’s Center for IT Schedule 70 Program and will be held at 2200 Crystal Drive, Crystal Plaza 4, Room L1301, Arlington, Virginia 22202.
- IT Schedule 70 Pre-Award Training – Held September 20, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This class provides an overview of the OFFER process with seasoned Contract Officer break-out-discussions that include key segments of the contracting process, the Commercial Sales Practices (CSP) Chart and the labor matrix for services.
- IT Schedule 70 Post-Award Training– Held September 21, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This class will provide you with helpful information on how to market your GSA Schedule contract, how to keep your contract in compliance and how to use e-Tools as a resource.
- Registration form and driving directions available by clicking on the course titles above. Contact GSA’s IT Center Hotline for additional information at (703) 605-2700, 8am – 4pm EST daily, or by email at it.center@gsa.gov.
Contact Vanessa Payne at Aronson & Company, 301-231-6200, vpayne@aronsoncompany.com with your GSA and government contracting questions.
Gulf Oil Spill – new Federal Contract tracking code – Providing Contractor Support in National Emergencies
The Federal Procurement DataBase (FPDS-NG) has added a new National Interest Action (NIA) value, “Gulf Oil Spill 0410″ to track the Gulf Oil Spill contracts. The new NIA is is valid from 04/25/2010 to 08/25/2010.
By coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), GSA provides support to other federal agencies when there is a presidential declaration of disaster or other incident of national significance. GSA Schedule 84 (LAW) includes products for oil-spill containment under SIN 426 4F – Emergency Preparedness and First Responder Equipment, Training and Services. 114 contractors currently provide products under this SIN. There are opportunities for large and small business to provide contractor support in national emergencies.
In addition to federal agencies, state and local governments can access the preapproved roster of vendors and products offered by GSA Schedule vendors via two programs: GSA’s Cooperative Purchasing program (GSA Schedules LAW-84 and IT-70, all times) and GSA’s Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program (all GSA Schedules, times of disaster).
Do Employees with Security Clearances Earn More Money?
And if so, how much? The answer is, it depends on your job and your location. Brittany Ballenstedt of Nextgov reported that a survey conducted by ClearanceJobs.com showed that some cleared IT professionals can earn as much as 12% more than their non-cleared counterparts. The largest salary premium associated with a clearance was for desktop support specialists who earned 12% more and IT managers who earned 10% more than similar employees that lacked clearances. Other occupations saw much less of a salary bump such as business analysts and software engineers who earned on average 3% more than their not-cleared counterparts.
However, these are average figures. The results vary quite a bit by location. For instance, cleared IT professionals in Washington DC or San Diego CA earned at least 20% more in salary then their non-cleared counterparts. Though, in such cities as New York and San Jose, there was no ascertainable difference in the salaries of cleared and non-cleared IT professionals.
When pricing a job that requires cleared personnel a contractor must take into account the job duties, the type of clearance, and the location of the work or run the risk of over or under pricing.
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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)