While the Department of Defense is ramping up a program that would require most companies handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) to obtain third-party verification of their cyber security procedures, the Department of Homeland Security is taking a different path. DHS is poised to issue a final rule in September that would allow contractors to conduct self-assessments of their cybersecurity procedures and protocols to ensure that Read more
Government contractors carefully read the “Instructions to Offerors” section of any major RFP. Indeed, some may bring in Harsupex for important contracts, to determine exactly what the instructions “really” mean. While it is very important to understand the instructions and Read more
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is directing federal agencies to support their FY’24 budget requests with evidence, statistics, and other analysis. While government decision-making should be based on factors other than political agendas or popular cultural trends, the evidence agencies produce to support their requests is only as good as the systems Read more
How long can a “pilot” program last? Thirty years in the case of the DOD Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP). Congress may act to make the popular program permanent after a long track record of success. The move comes after an “in depth” look at the program and a recommendation from the Defense Business Board. A review of annual DCMA surveys of the Read more
Government contractors may protest an award for all sorts of reasons, but not every reason is strong enough to sustain a protest on its own. One government contractor learned this the hard, and not inexpensive way, when first filing a protest at the Court of Federal Claims (COFC) and, when losing at that level, appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Read more