Court ruling favors small biz in teaming deal

      A recent Virginia Supreme Court decision did not support a subcontractor’s effort to enforce a teaming agreement with a federal small business prime contractor.

      The case “underscores the hurdles government subcontractors may face when they seek to enforce common teaming agreement terms,” according to the National Law Review.

      CGI Federal sued small business vendor FCi to enforce a teaming agreement. Under the agreement, CGI was to be a subcontractor to FCi for a State Dept. contract.

Read more at: National Law Review: https://bit.ly/2w3ueZR

Report finds peaks & dips in govcon spending

      USASpending.gov’s DataLab examined federal contract spending over the last 10 years and noticed a regular spending dip and peak each month. Facilities, equipment and construction contracts had the greatest fluctuation.

      The study confirmed the September spending rush that has been observed in many other reports. The largest spike tends to occur a week before the end of the fiscal year. It is caused primarily by new contracts rather than modifications.

Read more at: USASpending DataLab analysis: https://bit.ly/2LiEaTY

GSA hikes per diems for travel starting Oct. 1

      The new fiscal year starting Oct. 1 brings with it new per diem rates for federal employees traveling for work. Often these rates apply for contractor employees on cost-plus contracts.

      GSA announced standard rates for fiscal 2019 of $94 a day for lodging (up by $1) and $55 a day for meals and incidentals (up by $4 a day).

      GSA also set up a Web page of per diems for hotels, searchable by city and state, or zip code.

Read more at: GSA release: https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates

VA acquisition role

      The Veterans Affairs Dept. named Karen Brazell as principal executive director for the VA's Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction. She also serves as Chief Acquisition Officer.

      Previously, she was chief of staff for the White House Military Office.

Read more at: VA bios press page: https://bit.ly/2nZpXSB

FY2019 CR expected

GSA IG critiques TDR program

GSA: Reverse auctions stop

Suspended vendors retain DOD awards

Column: SubNet - Where’s the Beef?

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