It was bound to happen. The Category Management program that started at the Office of Management and Budget to identify “preferred” contract vehicles is now lingering into “mandatory” territory. A proposed rule that would require federal buyers to justify the use of any non-preferred contract and rhetoric from OMB in recent days both point to an attempt to require the acquisition community to use only a few, ordained contract methods. This could be Read more

The Department of Defense was responsible for approximately 16% of all GSA Multiple Award Schedule sales in FY’15 and is on track to do about the same amount this year.  The figure makes DOD the single largest Schedule user, but also underscores that there is plenty of Schedule business to be had among civilian agencies.  In addition, the fact that 84% of Schedule business is with customers other than DOD indicates the caution with which GSA needs to Read more

“Can you tell me where in the FAR it says that TSA can only buy from Who’s down in Whoville?”  This is the type of question government contract consultants get every year around this time as companies try to close as many deals as possible.  Ordinarily sane people ask this sort of question now, though at any other time they would know that a statement like this is an Read more

Pre-award audits got you down?  Whistle being blown at you by someone other than a lifeguard?  Don’t let contract compliance issues bowl you over like a tsunami.  Allen Federal can help you and your counsel with expert witness services, insight on key GSA Schedule compliance matters, small business plan compliance and more.  We’ve worked with many companies on whistle blower cases as well as more routine contract compliance matters.  We can keep you out of the shark tank and make sure the only thing you have to work on in August is your tan.  To find out how Allen Federal can help you, contact us at info@allenfederal.com

Although total federal spending continues to decline year to year, buying activity in the last part of the fiscal year remains strong as a percentage of total obligations. Deltek, Inc. predicts that approximately $140 billion will be in play during the 4th quarter this year. Similarly, a recent B-Gov webinar laid out historical spending trends and predicted significant activity right up to September 30th. Both companies agreed that “Q4” is really all about September, with Deltek estimating that over 17% of all federal spending takes place in this month alone. Read more