Will Scalia’s death affect SCOTUS contracting case?

The death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia could have an impact on the upcoming small business federal contracting case coming before the court on Feb.22.

Alan Chvotkin, vice president and counsel of the Professional Services Council, told FCW magazine that Scalia’s death raises the possibility of a tie in the Kingdomware Technologies Inc. vs. the Veterans Affairs Department case.

With GOP Senate leadership calling for a delay until after the election to appoint a new Supreme Court justice, the court in the coming months is expected to operate with only eight justices, who could reach a 4-4 tie on decisions.

In the event of a 4-4 tie at the Supreme Court, the decision by the lower court would remain in effect. The lower court ruled for the VA.

More information: https://goo.gl/SHP79J

DOD procurement cut

The Defense Department’s fiscal 2017 budget took a $17 billion hit under the spending-reduction law approved by Congress in December. The deepest cut was for procurement of weapons systems, which was reduced by $8.2 billion, according to a report by FederalNewsRadio.

“Modernization took the brunt of the reduction, but I would say it wasn’t in a stupid way,” said Mike McCord, DOD comptroller. “We didn’t terminate programs and we didn’t break multi-year contracts.”

More information: http://goo.gl/DVZax6

GSA seeks to run $3 billion IT modernization fund

The General Services Administration is requesting $100 million in fiscal 2017 to improve legacy IT systems throughout government, which is intended to support a new $3 billion fund to “modernize or retire legacy IT systems” and to develop new IT services for federal agencies.

“We will draw on expertise across GSA to manage this effort, in consultation with the Federal CIO, in order to leverage private sector best practices in technology development and agile acquisition practices,” the GSA said in its budget justification.

The GSA is seeking total discretionary funding of $362 million. Its total budget is $10.5 billion, most of which is generated through fees.

More information:GSA budget documents http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/102463

IG faults AFB contracts

Air Force officials did not do a good job negotiating depot labor profit at the Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, the DOD inspector general charged in a report. “As a result, the three contractors will earn millions in profit and fees on low-cost DOD labor,” the IG said.

More information: http://goo.gl/NtRQ2H

WOSB 5% goal said to be met for the first time

SBA sets goals for FY2016, FY2017

Obama offers $4.1T budget

Column: Can you survive a financial capability audit?

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