Author Archive
Bob Little
Digital Government
Now, this ruling is a real mind-boggler
In a recent column, I opined that the General Accounting Office should not get into the business of managing responsibility determinations primarily because such matters are moving targets. I theorized that the best that GAO'or a court for that matter'could ever do would be to remand the matter to the contracting officer to make an up-to-date determination on the best information available.
Digital Government
Administration stands firm in favor of fixed-price contracts
There is a delightful debate brewing between Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Angela Styles, the administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. At issue is whether General Services Administration schedule task order contracts must be firm fixed-price.
Digital Government
On further review, contracting officers should make the call
The General Accounting Office is considering whether to get into the business of managing, rather than deciding the propriety of, the award of federal contracts.
Digital Government
A-76 panel knows the steps, but it can't do the dance
Imagine a group of handpicked, bright people who have been convened to recommend improvements to the tango.
Digital Government
THE BOTTOM LINE
Is the phrase hair-brained or hare-brained? I suppose I could look it up, but what would be the fun in that? At any rate, the scheme I'm about to describe to you is both.
Digital Government
THE BOTTOM LINE
When I want light, amusing reading and can't find a Dave Barry column I haven't read, I skim articles and various government documents for the word vision. It's always good for a laugh.
Digital Government
Everything old is new again between FASA and small businesses
I was right. The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act and small business don't mix. As I noted in this column when the law first raised its head, there are problems applying FASA to buys involving small businesses, especially in the area of the simplified acquisition procedures [GCN, Aug. 7, 1995, Page 75].
Digital Government
Procurement sleuth makes short shrift of commercial buys
Do not be seen reading this article. It may be a violation of federal norms to learn what you, the reader, are about to learn. If some of the organizations and pronouncements in the following seem eerily familiar but you can't pinpoint why, it's because ace reporter and sometime procurement sleuth King Oxnard has changed the names of those involved to protect the innocent. (Wink, wink!)
Digital Government
Oral presentations won't necessarily make buying easier
There is nothing inherently evil in oral presentations--but there may be some troublesome aspects. Oral presentations are so named to distinguish them from oral discussions. If oral dialogue is called a "presentation," the hope is that it automatically becomes something other than a "discussion." Generally, discussions with vendors are taboo, unless they are held with all bidders and all are given the same opportunity to revise their bid based on those powwows.
Digital Government
The buying detective finds out how to use a fee to cover costs
The Federal Middle-person Agency (FMpA) has announced the new fee schedule for access to government buying activities. King Oxnard, procurement detective, was dispatched to interview the head of FMpA. This is his exclusive report: KO: You are Constant Leigh Fleecum, acting director of FMpA, is that correct? CLF: Yes, and you're just in time to witness the unveiling of our agency's new logo, voila!
Digital Government
Changing th FAR won't necessarily change the rules
Every now and again, what passes for truth in the acquisition business is much stranger than fiction. As an example, consider a plan to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation by deleting a sentence. The removal of this sentence has been proposed by none other than--no kidding, folks--the Department of Defense Procurement Process Reform Process Action Team.
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