Monthly Archives: January 2018

ALLEN FEDERAL FORECASTS ADDITIONAL CR, POSSIBLE MARCH APPROPRIATIONS MEASURE

Congressional appropriators acknowledge that there will be at least one more short-term CR before there’s a chance of passing an appropriations measure for the remainder of FY’18.  There is insufficient time to come to an agreement on different spending levels and write up the new language before the current vehicle expires.  That said, many elected officials believe Read more

GSA MAKES TWO SCHEDULE CHANGES – 1 POSITIVE, 1 WE’LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE

GSA Schedule customers will now more easily be able to incorporate non-specifically priced items onto a Schedule purchase order thanks to the final rule issued last week on Order Level Materials (OLM) (aka “Other Direct Costs”).  The change has been long-anticipated, but now puts Schedule contracts on more even footing with other IDIQ contracts.  Essentially, buyers can now add up to 33% of a purchase order’s total value with OLM services and products.  Contractors can price such items at the task order level.  This is an overdue, but welcomed, change. Read more

YOUR SALES MANAGER JUST GAVE A DEEPER DISCOUNT TO YOUR GSA SCHEDULE BASIS OF AWARD CUSTOMER

Was it over your Schedule MO?  Was this the first or 10th time the manager gave such a discount?  Did you even know the discount was extended?  Communication is essential to ensuring compliance on your GSA Schedule contract.  If your company doesn’t have good communication structures or procedures in place to notify you when a deeper discount is given, it could be at risk for fines, penalties, and lost productivity.  Allen Federal can help analyze your systems, suggest upgrades where necessary, and train your team.  Schedule compliance is serious business.  Ignorance is not bliss.  Contact us today at info@allenfederal.com to understand why compliance is pennies on the dollar in the big scheme of things and see what we can do for you.

LIFE UNDER A SHUT-DOWN, THE GOOD AND BAD NEWS

For the first time in nearly five years, the federal government is operating under a partial shutdown caused by gross Congressional failure to do its most important job.  At this writing, it is unclear how long the current shut-down will last, but most pundits are betting that it will be substantially shorter than the 17 day ordeal seen in 2013.  Here are a few things contractors need to know:  1.  If your contract is paid for by appropriated dollars, it is on hold.  Don’t deliver Read more