Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

New bill would scale back improper use of LPTA

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A new bill aims to reform the way agencies use “lowest-price, technically-acceptable” for their procurements.

The “Promoting Value Based Procurement Act of 2017” — sponsored by Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., and Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. — would reform the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require civilian agencies to do the following when it comes to applying LPTA in contract bids:

  • Comprehensively and clearly describe the minimum requirements in terms of performance objectives, measures and standards that will be used to determine acceptability of offers.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.federaltimes.com/articles/psc-applauds-new-bill-to-scale-back-improper-lpta-use

December course covers the entire federal contracting process

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For contracting officers, understanding the federal acquisition process is a requirement.  Likewise, for contractors pursuing government contracts, understanding the process is a must.

For two weeks in December, Georgia Tech’s Contracting Education Academy is offering a comprehensive course that covers the entire acquisition process, ranging from how government agencies define their needs to contract closeout — and everything in between.

The course, CON 120 – Mission Focused Contracting, is being presented on the Georgia Tech campus in midtown Atlanta Dec. 1 through 12, 2014.  Details are posted here.

Historically, the CON 120 course has been viewed as one of the most comprehensive of the course offerings originally developed by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU).

5 Reasons Why You Should Take CON 120 at Georgia Tech

  1. You learn in an environment with your counterparts representing both government agencies and the contractor community.
  2. You learn and apply leadership, problem-solving, and negotiation skills in a highly-interactive environment.
  3. You engage in the entire acquisition process, from meeting with the customer to completing the contract closeout process — and everything in-between — based on completely refreshed course materials exclusively developed by Georgia Tech.
  4. You apply knowledge and skills while working on an actual integrated project team.
  5. You are eligible to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from Georgia Tech.

Bonus:  At Georgia Tech, three on-line courses (CON 110, 111 and 112) are built-in to CON 120, saving you time and money.

As a part of this course, business people gain real insights into how the government:

  • Completes a market research report.
  • Develops a bid or proposal solicitation package.
  • Evaluates proposals and awards contracts.
  • Monitors contractor performance, applies remedies, and makes proper contract payments.
  • Modifies contracts, exercises options, and completes the contract closeout process

As a result, you will:

  • Discover business growth opportunities for your company in the government sector.
  • Learn how to develop a bid proposal that will put you ahead of the competition.
  • Gain insight on ways to get your small business subcontracting plan approved.
  • Network with and learn alongside government contracting officials to gain a better understanding of the process, roles, and responsibilities of government contracting.
  • Understand how your company fits in as an important member of the acquisition team.

For more information or to register, please visit http://www.pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-120-mission-focused-contracting.

 

Will the Government shred your contract after a hack?

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Contractors are concerned they might lose government business for coming forward about suspected internal data breaches, after the unprecedented decision by two departments to halt contracts with a hacked background investigation firm.

It is believed the personal information of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees likely was compromised when a suspected nation state penetrated a USIS corporate network.  USIS conducts personnel investigations on behalf of many agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  DHS and OPM temporarily ceased some jobs with USIS after the incident.

OPM did not pause work as a punishment, but rather as a way to protect federal employees until more details about the intrusion are known, agency officials told Nextgov on Friday, August 8, 2014.  But officials said they do not host information with USIS on the same system DHS uses.

DHS has issued stop work orders to temporarily halt activities that involve personal information, until the department can assess the full scope of the potential intrusion and repairs, Homeland Security officials told Nextgov.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2014/08/will-government-shred-your-contract-after-hack/91049

GSA allows new flexibility in federal construction standards

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The federal government’s standards for its new construction projects now simply require outcomes instead of dictating the means to achieve them.

The Public Buildings Service, part of the General Services Administration, issued the overhauled standards March 14, 2014.  As the document notes, adherence is mandatory. “It is not a guideline, textbook, handbook, training manual, nor substitute for technical competence,” it says.

An example of the increased flexibility is the HVAC system requirement, which previously had to be a type of system called variable air volume. Now, new construction must meet standards for energy efficiency, ventilation and humidity, but any system that satisfies the requirements is acceptable.

Additionally, rather than just setting minimum standards for building features, the PBS has added three tiers of performance that buildings can achieve, each more desirable than the last.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.fiercegovernment.com/story/new-flexibility-federal-construction-standards/2014-03-18 

 

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