MD Federal Procurement Conference May 3, 2012 – Register Now!
The 2012 Federal Procurement Conference attracts businesses ready to do business with federal, state and local governments, primes and each other.
The conference Workshops provide businesses with access to experts and information about procurement opportunities and best business practices. Continue reading »
MD Federal Procurement Conference May 3, 2012 – Register Now!
The 2012 Federal Procurement Conference attracts businesses ready to do business with federal, state and local governments, primes and each other.
The conference Workshops provide businesses with access to experts and information about procurement opportunities and best business practices. 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 »
U.S. Spends Money as Fast as It Can & Gets Nothing for It!
At least that is what Shay Assad, the Director of Procurement Policy for the Department of Defense (DoD) thinks. Mr. Assad made that point recently at the Defense Acquisition University. While that is obviously an exaggeration, the larger point is clear. DoD believes that it is not getting the best prices from its contractors, especially from service contractors. As a result, DoD is developing new cash flow models and weighed guidelines for services designed to strengthen the price analysis function. DoD has also asked Congress to remove the “of a type” phase which allows items that are not sold in substantially quantities to the general public to be considered commercial items. Though there can be exceptions, the Government does not typically require cost and pricing data when purchasing commercial items.
However, many in industry believe that DoD already has sufficient tools to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. For instance, Continue reading »
Planning Your Government BD Strategy? Follow the $
By Sid Jaffe, CEO, Advantage Consulting, Inc. Now that the holidays are behind us, it is time to dive into the pursuit of new opportunities. As you decide at a high level where to begin building relationships–as contracted with tossing proposals “over-the-transom” all year—a website worth looking at is: www.usgovernmentspending.com/year2011_0.html. Here you will find updated views of Federal spending at State and local levels. The information on the site is self explanatory. It is certainly not a list of procurements on which to bid. It is a tool that can assist you in strategic resourcing and BD direction planning. As the adage goes, when you aren’t sure what to follow, follow the money! 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 »
Government Procurement Harmed by Year End Politics
The end of the Government fiscal year is upon us and, as usual, Government contractors will be caught in the political cross fire. Congress will yet again be unable to agree on an omnibus spending bill, so for the foreseeable future, Government agencies will operate on a series of continuing resolutions. This inefficient but apparently unavoidable process creates significant uncertainty for Government contractors. Will programs be funded and if so how much? Should contractors work “on risk”? Should schedules and work plans be adjusted Continue reading »
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming GSA Events
GSA is sponsoring the following training and events online or in the DC area:
New green procurement policies mean opportunities and changes for contractors
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.
“Stimulus is Here” – July 21st conference
Funds, Work and Opportunities in Greater Washington – Stimulus funding is being felt here first. This conference is designed to provide detailed guidance for applying for funds and complying with the substantial regulations and requirements. Program Highlights:
- Expectations and Opportunities Associated with Stimulus Funding
- Department of Energy: Renewables, Weatherization, Energy Efficiency, Research and More
- GSA Stimulus Plans: The Implications for Greater Washington’s Federal Buildings
- The Regional Leaders on Stimulus – convenes the regional representatives for the stimulus
- Transportation Stimulus Plans
- Getting the Work and Understanding the Rules. (1) The application process and winning contracts. Special emphasis on GSA schedules, subcontracting and other procurement details. (2) Insights into the risks and responsibilities that accompany stimulus work including: new regulations, comprehensive reporting and compliance requirements and the implications of “Buy American.”
Breakout Sessions will further explore the stimulus opportunities and implications for specific industries. Guest speakers and panelists include: Edward DeSeve, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation; Paul Prouty, Acting Administrator, General Services Administration (GSA); Hope Lane, Officer, Aronson & Company; and more.
Click here for more information and registration.
When: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:00am – 3:00pm
Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20045
Suggested Dress: Business Attire
Cost: $295 for non-members; $195 for members of the Greater Washington Board of Trade
Aronson Contributors
Categories
Popular Tags
Blog Roll
Popular Posts
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)