OIG: FAS pricing analysis flawed on MAS bids

      An audit by the GSA’s Office of Inspector General found that the Federal Acquisition Service uses “flawed methodologies and practices” in determining whether pricing is fair and reasonable on proposed Multiple Award Schedule service contracts.

FAS contracting officers used dissimilar labor categories, inconsistent sampling methods and inappropriate price ranges, the OIG report said. They also relied on incomplete data and did not document their analyses properly.

The OIG recommended that GSA stop using the CODCD and CALC pricing tools until better tools are available, and develop better controls for data and for compliance with regulations.

Read more:
Read the report at: https://bit.ly/2tgOM2R

2nd interim rule on Huawei, ZTE, etc.

      A second interim rule went into effect on Dec. 13 regarding the requirement that government contract bidders must say whether their proposed equipment includes technology by Chinese companies including Huawei, ZTE and others.

The first interim rule said offerers must declare with each offer. The second interim rule says bidders are allowed to make an annual declaration that they do not have such technology.

Read more:
Federal Register notice: https://bit.ly/2QTFymj

Discrimination cases get new rule at DOL

      The Labor Dept.’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued a proposed new rule to establish codified procedures for resolving discrimination allegations against federal contractors and subcontractors.

The proposed rule adds definitions regarding the types of evidence the OFCCP will use to justify its findings in such cases, including statistical evidence. Comments are due by Jan. 19.

Read the proposed rule at:
https://bit.ly/2thm2XJ

Inside this Edition:

Carranza confirmed for SBA

House wants AbilityOne exempt at VA

GSA offers MAS mod guidance & RFI

DOD CPSR threshold rule

More time on mentor rules

Legislative Update

Column: Is Your Goal to Become “Large”?

Washington Insider: