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Category: Latest News

Daily Dump: 23 May 2013

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By on May 23rd, 2013

Here is today’s Daily Dump:

- The uncertainty surrounding the Sequester has motivated government contract giant Lockheed Martin to look into altering their business model moving forward to include more commercial avenues.  [GSA Business].  http://www.gsabusiness.com/news/47780-sequester-has-lockheed-eyeing-new-business-model.

- Amazon Web Services has been granted “Authority to Operate” by the Department of Health and Human Services, which should lead to more government agencies trusting cloud systems for storage and processing of sensitive government data.  [CRN].  http://www.crn.com/news/cloud/240155390/aws-achieves-fedramp-status-to-support-government-contracts.htm.

- The General Services Administration entered into a blanket purchase agreement with four wireless carriers that will reportedly save the federal government $300 million over five years.  [NextGov].  http://www.nextgov.com/mobile/2013/05/gsa-inks-bulk-wireless-buying-program-top-telecoms/63554/.

Daily Dump: 22 May 2012

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By on May 22nd, 2013

Here is today’s Daily Dump:

– Commanders of the special operations components discussed their plans for the future with members of the special ops community as well as defense industry partners during the 2013 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference. [Department of Defense]

– The VA’s Office of Small Disadvantaged Business (OSDBU) published an advanced notice of public rulemaking, seeking public comments on how best to revise its verification regulations. [Federal Construction Contracting Blog]

– The Pentagon will take over some drone operations against terrorism suspects overseas, currently conducted by the CIA, in an effort to improve transparency and congressional oversight over the program. [Reuters]

Daily Dump: 21 May 2013

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By on May 21st, 2013

Here is today’s Daily Dump:

– The Department of Homeland Security has issued a proposed debarment notice to OSI Systems Inc. over privacy concerns with its full-body passenger scanners used in airports. OSI lost its contract with the Transportation Security Administration because the scanners used an X-ray technology called backscatter that displayed naked images of passengers to security officers.  [Reuters]

– Two recent False Claims Act cases filed by the Department of Justice highlight the variety of ways that a company contracting with the federal government can allegedly engage in fraud against the government and incur FCA liability. [Wired PR News]

– A recent Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals decision highlights the need for applicants to the 8(a) program to keep their businesses separate and apart from those of any family members who own a current or former 8(a) company. [Government Contracts Monitor]

Daily Dump: 20 May 2013

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By on May 20th, 2013

Here is today’s Daily Dump:

– The Government Accountability Office recently held that an agency is under no obligation to seek out relevant past performance information that is not referenced in an offeror’s proposal. [Government Contracts Monitor]

– DARPA has cancelled its efforts to develop the Future, Fast, Flexible, Fractionated Free-Flying Spacecraft (System F6), a system of formation-flying satellites meant to be more adaptable than today’s large and solitary military satellites. [Wired]

– President Obama has signed a directive which seeks to speed up the federal permitting process for construction of infrastructure projects designed to boost local economies and create jobs. [Government Executive]

Daily Dump: 17 May 2013

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By on May 17th, 2013

Here is today’s Daily Dump:

– The government has filed suit against Lance Armstrong under the False Claims Act, based on his acceptance of sponsorship money from the US Postal Service while breaching his obligation not to take performance enhancing drugs. The case could have implications on government contractors, as Armstrong is essentially arguing that there was no harm done, in that the US Postal Service benefited more than it was harmed. Should the government prevail, it will highlight the public policy behind the FCA: the wrongful enrichment of the defendant, even where the government got something in return. [Wired PR News]

– An investigation by the House Small Business Committee discovered that the General Services Administration has shorted federal contractors more than $3 million since 2008, based on its failure to comply with the “guaranteed minimum payment” clause in many of its contracts. [Inc.]

– The merits of a case before the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit over the constitutionality of a law forbidding contract holders from making federal campaign donations is taking a backseat as the judges question whether they even have jurisdiction to hear the case. [Blog of Legal Times]

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