GSA is moving ahead with plans for a January 9^th public meeting to receive input on the implementation of one or more commercial e-commerce platforms through which federal agencies would have easier access to commercial items.  The agency actively sought speakers and attendees before the holiday break and wants to move quickly to meet Congressional mandates.  If you sell commercial items to the feds, especially if you sell them via GSA contracts and/or to DOD customers, tracking developments here is an absolute must for your business.

Federal agencies are currently funded by yet another government-wide (i.e., no special treatment for DOD) CR, this time through January 19^th.  This was an unexpectedly short extension and sets the stage for a show-down over defense spending and funding policy priorities like an immigration wall.  For most contractors and their customers, however, kicking the can down the road provides no relief for those with new projects waiting in the wings.  Prior to Christmas, some appropriations watchers were more openly discussing the possibility of a year-long CR for FY’18 – a move that would be a disaster on multiple fronts.  We may know more by the end of the month, whether that makes industry happy, though, is another matter.