Sec. 809 panel advises ‘portfolio management’

      The so-called “Section 809” panel advising DOD on acquisition is calling for a “portfolio management” approach at the enterprise level for purchasing technology.

      The panel was created by Congress in the fiscal 2016 NDAA. It released a 540-page Volume Two report, the second of three reports, on June 28. “Changing from a program-centric management structure to a portfolio management structure would enable timely delivery of integrated capabilities,” the report stated.

More information: 809 Panel report: https://bit.ly/2tOblby

NASA preps for 4Q rush on SEWP contract

      August and September are the most busy months by far for NASA’s longstanding “SEWP” GWAC contract offering IT products and services.

      “Typically about 50% of orders come through in August and September, with about 38% in September alone," Joanne Woytek, SEWP program manager, told FCW.

      Overall, she is anticipating a 10% increase in SEWP sales this fiscal year. SEWP support staff are being added.

More information: FCW story: https://bit.ly/2KGs081

Reviving ‘contractor vs. civilian’ competitions

      DOD officials are preparing to ask Congress to revive competitions that pit contractors against federal employees, which is meant to determine who can get the job done more effectively at a lower cost, FedNewsRadio reported.

      The contests originated in a decades-old White House circular, A-76.

      Congress has imposed a moratorium for more than 10 years following criticisms of the competitions by GAO, federal labor unions and others.

      DOD officials said their proposal may take up to a year to prepare.

More information: FederalNewsRadio story: https://bit.ly/2MH9m0r

GAO: Kingdomware only applies to VA

The GAO ruled that U.S. Customs and Border Security was not obligated to set aside a Federal Supply Schedule contract for small businesses, knocking down an argument related to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kingdomware decision.

      The protester. American Relocation Connections LLC, alleged that CBP did not perform the “Rule of Two” properly. CBP said it did not find two eligible small businesses likely to bid, so it did not create a set-aside. GAO supported CBP’s decision, saying such set-asides are discretionary and not mandatory in most cases.

      Secondly, the protester cited the Kingdomware decision to argue that set-asides are mandatory if the Rule of Two is met. However, that decision only applies to the VA, the GAO said.

More information: GAO report: https://www.gao.gov/products/D19024#mt=e-report.

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