Alert reader M. Kunis of Quahog, RI writes, “My long-time federal customer wants us to hire Mary, one of their own recent retirees, and have Mary go back to work for them as a contract employee. How do I work this with the labor rates I have on my Schedule?”. Excellent question, M. and one that you’re smart to think about. While procurement rules try to ban “personal services” acquisition, people are people. They like working with those that they know, especially Read more
Federal managers, Congressional watchers, and even some contractors are beginning to sense that the entire 2017 government fiscal year will largely be funded by a series of Continuing Resolutions. With the turmoil surrounding confirmation of appointees, potential action on the Affordable Healthcare Act, and other factors in play, it appears increasingly likely that there will be no formal appropriations bills for most of the executive branch. Only the Department of Read more
Everyone wants to do their own assessment when they come into a new agency, but not every appointee has a high degree of familiarity with the inner workings of their new department. These are among the observations from a host of recent panels and presentations featuring senior career feds speaking on the transition. While essential operational work continues, Read more
The Trump Administration is preparing to issue a new Executive Order requiring all federal agencies to examine their current structures and to key in on ways to increase efficiency, lower operating costs and improve mission performance. The EO may be issued any time now as the Senate recently confirmed former Congressmen Mick Mulvaney as the head of the Office of Read more
Spring training is an important ritual for baseball, but can also be vital for government contractors. Thinking of taking your favorite customers to the ballpark? Think again. Time and time again government contractors – and their customers – forget that ethics rules sharply limit the gifts you can give and that they can accept. Don’t have your business bogged down in ethical “extra innings”. Contact Allen Federal today at info@allenfederal.com and we’ll give your team the training it needs to enjoy baseball season – and federal buying season.