(Click on headlines below to read each full story.) VA rebuts reclassification claims VA rejects claims that it reclassified $1B in SDVOSB contracts; Department’s research shows $20M reclassified in 10 years The Veterans Affairs Department is disputing the recent national news reports alleging that the agency had reclassified more than $1 billion in set-aside contracts meant for service-disabled veterans over the last 10 years. When such contracts are reclassified, contractors who are not disabled veterans become eligible to do the work. New rules push contractor hiring of vets, disabled For the first time, federal contractors must set specific goals for the hiring of veterans and of people with disabilities to improve employment prospects for those groups, according to two final rules announced by the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Federal travel per diem raised by $6 per day Breaking a two-year freeze, the General Services Administration raised the per diem travel allowance for federal employees, starting Oct. 1. RFP-EZ seeks bidders for second round The White House’s RFP-EZ simplified contracting website has posted a second round of opportunities for small technology vendors. Sen. Collins introduces “Buy American” measure Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, wants American soldiers to have American-made boots. Column: Forewarned is Forearmed: Preparing for litigation in the post-sequestration era Companies are seeing the effect of federal belt-tightening and sequestration in virtually all aspects of government contracting. The downturn in federal contract opportunities for small-to mid-size businesses has, unfortunately, led to a concurrent uptick in litigation. Washington Insider: Services contract decline One of the most notable trends in federal services contracting in recent years has been the dramatic decline in services contracts of less than $250,000.... Charge card abuse Federal employees who make unauthorized, illegal, improper or erroneous purchases with government charge cards may be subject to dismissal or other disciplinary measures.... House prepares CR The House Appropriations Committee is expected to introduce a stop-gap spending bill shortly to avoid a partial government shutdown..... Hope for Q4 spree Fourteen federal agencies are still striving to reach their small business goals for fiscal 2013.....