While many private sector workers have returned to their offices, the same is not true for federal employees. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released last week found that occupancy rates at most federal agencies are still only about 25% of capacity, or less, while none are more than half full. GAO based its findings on data from 24 agencies that occupy 98% of federal property. The figures pose challenges for contractors selling products such as furniture, office supplies, printers, and other devices that support office-based work. Service companies may be challenged on when and where to send employees that had Read more
Government contractors can be forgiven if they feel like they’re stuck in the middle when it comes to compliance. On one side are a full range of government resources including IG offices, DCAA, the Departments of Labor and Justice, and more. Justice’s marquis compliance program is the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, the name of which should make clear the agency’s aggressive compliance stance. As of June, the Strike Force had over 28,000 agents and 90+ open investigations. The Strike Force website states that DOJ has secured 46 guilty pleas or Read more
Despite the fact that there are nearly three months left in FY’23, there are only approximately two-dozen legislative days remaining in the fiscal year based on a review of the House calendar and past precedent of when that chamber is in recess during August and September. That’s very little time to finalize all 12 appropriations bills and the FY’24 defense authorization measure. In addition to the short time, House leaders must also contend with a fractured Republican caucus where some members will definitely push for spending restraint making it difficult to come up with the 218 votes needed to pass any bill without Democratic Read more
The federal market for Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions is in the midst of an exponential expansion. While most of the discussion has been about how this technology can be used to improve the delivery of IT solutions and related services to government agencies, AI can, in fact, impact all types of government contractors. Contractors are already using AI to assist in their federal market research to develop better business plans. According to FedBizAccess.com, AI algorithms can analyze previous successful bids and identify patterns and strategies that have been effective. This information can then be used to help contractors craft better proposals that are more likely to win contracts. Post-award, AI technology can be applied to ensure optimized outcomes and good project management. AI can help in other areas as well. Internal company use of AI can help streamline common operations, just as it is in government. Workflow mapping and process design are two other potential areas where AI solutions can be applied to reduce overhead and costs while improving efficiency. That could enable a company to spend more time pursuing customers and creating relationships. Non-IT and service companies may also be able to integrate AI into those sales and marketing operations by using auto-generated advertising and selling points. Furniture companies can use AI to generate better design plans. VA contractors can apply AI technology to develop better products and diagnostic processes. While some of this technology is currently in its infancy so, too, were cell phones when they first came out. In time, AI-generated material may be as common as the smart phones of today. No contractor should ignore the potential benefits of AI on both their internal and external operations. There is nothing artificial about taking the steps necessary to grow your federal business.
While most contractors are properly focused on closing business during the critical fourth quarter of the federal fiscal year, its important to note that acquisition policy officials are still hard at work on their projects as well. A recent review of open FAR cases showed nearly 13 pages of pending rules, all of which could impact the way in which a company sells to the government. While landing business should be a company’s priority, someone should be tasked with looking in the rear-view mirror to see what regulatory snares may trip up a business while it’s trying to do actual business. Objects in the regulatory mirror may be larger Read more