Defense Dept. addresses value, LPTA in sourcing

The Defense Department has issued new guidance that appears to make it easier for contracting officials to justify paying higher prices in some cases.

Claire Grady, DOD’s director of defense procurement and acquisition policy, distributed the 71-page guidance on April 1 outlining new source selection procedures, including options to justify higher prices than what might be paid for “technically acceptable” products or services.

“This document expands the discussion of both Tradeoff and Lowest Price Technically Acceptable source selection procedures consistent with Better Buying power initiatives,” the memo stated.

It also outlines best practices and provides references to law and previous regulation.

More information: DoD Guidance http://goo.gl/L4lW0z

GSA issues directive for mobile devices & services

White House officials announced a new draft directive establishing category management for mobile devices and services.

The government spends $1 billion a year on mobile products and services on more than 1,200 agreements, said Anne Rung, chief procurement officer, and Tony Scott, federal CIO.

The policy aims to reduce duplication and improve pricing. It orders agencies to report all mobile service usage and pricing data to a central hub, eliminate extra inventory, and use governmentwide contracts, if appropriate.

The draft directive for mobile is the third in a series, following directives for software and for personal computers. It is open for public comment until April 28.

More information: Draft directive https://goo.gl/ynHHsd

US Capitol competes only 50% of contracts: GAO

The Architect of the Capitol competed 50% of its contracts in the past three fiscal years, compared to 65% governmentwide, the Government Accountability Office reported.

The AOC is a legislative agency not subject to federal acquisition rules or the Small Business Act. It has its own rules to increase competition and small business utilization.

<More information: GAO Report http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-348

VETS 2 contract coming

The General Services Administration is preparing to solicit the “VETS 2” governmentwide contract for customized IT services on or around April 21, the agency announced.

The contract is for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Awards are expected in 2017, according to the presolicitation notice on FBO.gov.

The GSA also posted a draft solicitation for VETS 2 last fall.

More information: GSA Interact: https://interact.gsa.gov/group/vets2

Chabot reports DOD data

Within the Defense Department, the number of small business contract actions fell 47% from 2011 to the present, but the size of the average individual small business contract action more than doubled, Rep. Steve Chabot, R-OH, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, said in a recent hearing of the House Armed Services Committee. The source of the data was a report prepared by Chabot’s committee staff.

Chabot was testifying to seek support for small business provisions in the defense authorization bill.

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

SBA creates WOSB portal

Interior Dept. aims to bolster BIA

“Making it Easier” for vendors: GSA

Column: Make the ‘Rule of Two’ work for you

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