Monthly Archives: April 2015

BEYOND CATEGORY MANAGEMENT: WHAT ELSE DOES ANNE RUNG WANT TO DO AT OFPP?

By now, everyone has heard of OFPP’s Category Management program. Like a radio “one hit wonder” people are asking “what else have you got?”. For Anne Rung, the “what else” are three issues. Some will have some definite support from industry, while others may encounter opposition. First up, Rung wants to use OMB’s review process to block the creation of one or more new IDIQ contracts. That’s welcome news for companies who spend a lot of time chasing “what if” vehicles instead of Read more

BUDGET CONSTRAINTS: REASON OR EXCUSE?

We’ve all seen the studies and polls suggesting that budget constraints are the prime reason why federal agencies are reluctant to innovate or implement new solutions. Perhaps we’ve watched too many episodes of Perry Mason to just buy the answer that looks obvious, but this “reason” is looking more like an “excuse” every day. Certainly federal money isn’t growing on trees. At the same time, however, how do Read more

ADVANCE LOOK AT FY’16 SHOWS SOME SURPRISES

This fiscal year will end and you want to be prepared for what comes next. While exact spending numbers for FY’16, and timing, are still a ways out, there are both familiar and unfamiliar agencies that are in line to get more money next year. While the base budget for DOD is slated to remain unchanged, that number is misleading. Several House members, for instance, have vowed to add billions in additional Read more

WHO’S THAT KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR?

Does a “friendly fed” want to come to your office for a visit? Better make sure you know who it is before you let them in. Government visitors can range from GSA Schedule reviewers all the way to armed special agents. Make sure your company is prepared before any visit. Allen Federal can review your contract management and compliance programs, make recommended changes, train your staff and, if a need for outside counsel is detected, we can recommend experienced and qualified legal help. Be prepared. Contact Allen Federal today for your own customized review. You’ll be ready in case someone wants to “huff and puff and blow your door down”. E-mail us at info@allenfederal.com and we’ll make sure your contract house isn’t made of hay.

 

WHY GSA SHOULD KILL ITS PROPOSED RULE ON TRANSACTIONAL DATA COLLECTION

GSA Schedule and Acquisition Policy officials no doubt had good intentions when they crafted the proposed rule that would require Schedule contractors to collect and transmit transaction information on Schedule sales in exchange for eliminating the Basis of Award trigger for the Price Reductions Clause.  Intentions, however, have a way of getting side-tracked, and so it has become with the proposed rule.  Given the discussion at the April 17th public meeting on the proposed rule, it should be withdrawn immediately.

Representatives from the GSA and VA Offices of the Inspector General made clear that they oppose the removal of the Price Reductions Clause Basis of Award trigger, the one carrot GSA is offering.  Although GSA’s own analysis showed that only 3% (itself likely a high number) of price Read more