GSA Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Alan Thomas rounded out his management team last week, appointing several new people to permanent and acting positions.  Taken together, the moves are a strong sign that Thomas intends to increase FAS’ share of federal acquisition.   The appointments of Mary Davie to be permanent Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service and Kay Ely to be the permanent Assistant Commissioner for IT were just two of the announcements.  Davie is well-known in the federal IT community and her Read more

Sometimes it seems like senior federal customers are hiding in some remote Afghan cave when your firm is trying to set up a meeting.  While this may certainly be the case sometimes, more often feds say that contractors don’t know anything about their agency’s mission when they want to get together.  That makes the discussion one-sided and, as such, not productive.  Taking the time to know your agency’s mission, however, is just one part of the process.  A Read more

While defense budgets may increase this year and next, there is still likely pent up demand for mergers or acquisitions among government contractors. The preceding multi-year period of stagnation has left many companies looking for a “what’s next?” strategy that could include growing market share via acquisition.  Specialized firms, too, may be looking for suitors as a way to become more stable by becoming part of a larger enterprise.  While some Defense officials Read more

Annual training on contract compliance and ethics is a best practice and absolutely essential for any contractor that takes its federal business seriously.  October and November are great times to get your staff to get up to speed on new Schedule rules, compliance issues, gift giving in advance of the holidays and more.  While some of these topics can make paint drying in Louisiana look like fun, Allen Federal’s presentation keeps you on the edge of your seats and may even amuse you.  Either way, you and your staff will be engaged.  Don’t put off critical training that can help prevent or minimize future problems.  Contact Allen Federal at info@allenfederal.com today and we’ll be happy to put together a presentation just for you.

The House of Representatives passed a catch-all appropriations measure last that would fully fund all federal agencies for the entire 2018 fiscal year.  The measure includes even more defense funding than President Trump had asked for, including funds for readiness, personnel, and acquisition.  NASA, NIH, and some law enforcement programs would also see a boost.  While the bill cuts foreign aid, family planning, and climate change funds, in most cases the cuts are not as deep as the Administration had wanted.  If passed by the Senate, unlikely in its current form, there would be no need for a Continuing Resolution to fund agencies starting October 1^st.  DOD leadership and others have decried CR’s as being too expensive and harming military readiness.  The House’s action seems to be in part a response to such criticism.  It is barely possible that the Senate could take up the House bill, make changes to it, and then have Congress prepare a final measure for the President by the end of the current fiscal year. A long shot to be sure, but it is a positive step that so much has been done by this time so that any CR could be only two or so months.  Just in case, a CR is ready that will fund all government operations through December 8^th.  Contractors should stay tuned.