Telework a success during COVID-19: survey

      A major finding in a survey of federal acquisition professionals was that telework has been a success during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      “Officials lauded employee’s adaptation to the COVID-19 work environment and noted that there has been little to no delay caused by teleworking,” the survey summary indicated.

      The survey, conducted by the Professional Services Council, found that while the pandemic put great stress on acquisition operations, agencies adjusted their practices, including increasing use of telework, which mitigated the impacts. “These adjusted practices are likely to define future acquisition policies,” the survey concluded.

Read more at:
Read the survey: https://bit.ly/38HxyMN

Bid protest effectiveness rate rises to 51%

      Bid protests in fiscal 2020 were 51% “effective,” meaning that either the protests were sustained by the GAO or that the agency involved voluntarily addressed the issues raised in the protest.

      The 51% effectiveness rate for 2020 was the highest of the last five years. The rates ranged from 44% to 47% from fiscal 2016-2019.

      Overall, GAO received 2,149 protests in fiscal 2020, down 2% from the year before. The GAO sustained 15% of the protests it adjudicated.

Read more:
GAO Bid Protest Annual Report: https://bit.ly/38Jiazl

GovCon religious exemptions final rule

     DOL’s final rule for religious exemptions for federal government contractors goes into effect on Jan. 8.

Read more at:
DoL final rule: https://bit.ly/3o4Cfa4

DOE implements EO

      The Energy Dept. issued a class deviation to implement the controversial EO on race or sex “scapegoating.” The EO remains in effect but is expected to be rescinded shortly after Biden’s inauguration.

Read more at:
DOE memo: https://bit.ly/3aT8mFY

Inside this edition:

What’s in the new stimulus?

Consolidated Appropriations

Biden plans boost for Native biz

Top 20 Small Business Federal Contracting Stories of 2020 - Pt I

Left out of stimulus bill

Buy Indian Act proposed rule

GSA updates, adds PSCs

Column: PPP Round Deux: Who Qualifies, for How Much, and Forgiveness Changes

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update