Per diems frozen

The standard per diem travel reimbursement rates for federal employee travelers will be frozen at current levels in fiscal 2015, the General Services Administration announced.

The lodging per diem rate will remain at $83, and the meals and incidental expense tiers also remain unchanged, ranging from $46 to $71.

More information: Federal Register notice: http://goo.gl/Lpb8qo

NASA small biz tech

NASA chose 23 proposals from small businesses and research institution teams to develop innovative technologies that also might be commercialized.

NASA now begins negotiations with the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program PHASE II winners for possible contract awards, worth up to $17.2 million.

More information:NASA news release http://goo.gl/0APWSK

Past performance

The General Services Adminstration had the lowest rate of compliance with the Past Performance Reporting Requirement for acquisitions, with only 13% compliance in April 2014, the GAO said in a report.

Second lowest was the State Department, at 15%.

The agencies with the highest rates of compliance were Defense, 83%; Treasury, 71%; Interior, 51% and Homeland Security, 45%.

More information: GAO report: http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/665238.pdf

Digital Services Office

The White House created the U.S. Digital Service team to bring together technology experts to improve federal websites and to apply strategies learned in turning around the Healthcare.gov website.

Mikey Dickerson was named administrator.

More information: White House Fact Sheet http://goo.gl/BRe6VM

HHS Buyers Club issues first RFP

DHS push is on for HUBZone awards

GSA awards OS3 contracts

DOL: US vendors must report pay

Checking news for performance clues?

CMS clause too restrictive for small biz?

Column: Tips on networking for small federal contractors

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