Velazquez report

      Funding the U.S. government through a series of Continuing Resolutions is preventing federal agencies from long-term planning of new contract solicitations, including those with small businesses, according to a new report from Rep. Nydia Velazquez, ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee.

More information: Committee report: http://goo.gl/4zoNSY

BMO for 8(a), HUBZ

      The GSA is considering creating an on-ramp solitication for the Building Maintenance Operation (BMO) Strategic Sourcing vehicle--open only to vendors participating in 8(a) or certified as a HUBZone firm.

      The GSA issued an RFI on FBO.gov to find potential 8(a) and HUBZone firms who are interested. Deadline for submission is Feb. 9.

More information: GSA Request for Information: http://goo.gl/qo87KE

15K rules withdrawn

      The Trump Administration enacted only three significant new final rules in 2017, and federal agencies withdrew more than 15,000 planned rules, according to Neomi Rao, administrator of the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

      President Obama’s “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” rule was cancelled.

      At the SBA, final rules are pending, including certifications for women-owned and for service-disabled veteran-owned small firms.

More information: Federal News Radio report: http://goo.gl/wBiLs9

Federal CIO named

      After a year without a U.S. chief information officer, President Trump named Suzette Kent as Federal CIO.

      Kent’s portfolio includes overseeing federal IT spending, policy and the chief information security officer, a role that's currently vacant.

      Kent currently is a principal in financial services for EY (formerly Ernst & Young). Previously she was a managing director at JPMorgan and a partner at Accenture.

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