Congress acts on budget resolution, appropriations

For the first time in several years, the GOP-controlled House and Senate approved a nonbinding budget resolution framework.

It cuts non-defense spending by an additional $500 billion on top of sequester cuts, and raises defense spending. It also allows for repeal of “Obamacare,” which almost certainly would be vetoed by President Obama.

Non-defense spending already is being reduced by $500 billion through 2023 under the sequester caps created under a 2011 law. The sequester also cuts $500 billion from defense, on top of an already-planned cut of $500 billion.

In addition, the House passed two appropriations bills for fiscal 2016: Veterans Affairs/Military Construction, and Energy & Water.

The VA would get $69.7 billion in discretionary funding, which is 6% more than the current enacted. Military construction also receives an increase in funding.

Energy and water gets $35.4 billion, $1.2 billion above this year’s enacted and $633 million below the president’s request.

More information: DOD memo: http://goo.gl/d3PsAL

NIH awards NIH CIO-CS IT solutions contract

The National Institutes of Health IT Acquisition and Assessments Center announced the award the NIH CIO-CS IT solutions contract. Of the 65 companies awarded, 44 are small businesses, including 8 HUBZone, 14 WOSB, 6 8(a)s, 7 EDWOSBs and 8 SDVOSBs.

The 10-year contract is expected to generate up to $20 billion in orders.

More information: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/apr2015/nitaac-17.ht

$200M obligated on OASIS so far

Federal agencies have obligated about $200 million on the General Services Administration's OASIS professional services contract to date, Jim Ghiloni, the executive program officer, said at a recent industry event.

Task orders to date have a total ceiling value of about $900 million. About a third are from the Air Force.

Are DOD contractors gaming bid protests?

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2016 includes a requirement for DOD to study whether its contractors are manipulating and misusing bid protests to delay or disrupt procurements.

Set-Aside Alert exclusive: WOSB awards in ineligible NAICS codes

WOSB sole-sourcing on fast track

NDAA has small biz provisions

Contractor debarments rise

Column: The importance of intervening at OHA in challenges to NAICS codes

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