Conference cutbacks

Recent budget cuts and travel restrictions are having a dramatic impact on federal employee participation in conferences and events, according to a new poll by Market Connections and Boscobel.

Almost 72% of federal agency respondents said they attended fewer events in fiscal 2013 than they did the previous year. In last year’s poll, 38% were cutting back.

Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed said their agency is hosting fewer events this year.

The federal workers predicted troubling impacts: 68% said innovation and collaboration within government, and between government and industry, would be negatively affected. About two-thirds said it would be more difficult to maintain best practices in their fields.

Third OASIS protest

The company that previously filed an agency-level protest of the General Services Administration’s upcoming “OASIS” professional services vehicle now has filed a second pre-award protest with the Government Accountability Office.

Aljucar, Anvil-Incus & Co. filed the second protest on Sept. 21. Its initial agency-level protest was denied by the GSA’s protest official.

The company contends that under rules for the OASIS unrestricted contract it would be difficult for small businesses to form joint ventures to compete with larger firms. The protests do not target the OASIS small business track.

A third protest of OASIS, by USFalcon, was withdrawn. GSA reportedly modified contract language to address the concerns, which had to do with treatment of past performance for firms involved in mergers and acquisitions.

Background checks

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus wants expanded background checks for contractors in the wake of the shooting rampage by contract employee Aaron Alexis at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC,according to the New York Times.

The future security reviews should include any available police reports, even if they did not result in charges or convictions, he recommended.

More information: NYTimes story http://goo.gl/f8Iawo

Fed’l Prison Industries

Net sales by government- owned Federal Prison Industries fell 32% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2012, according to a Justice Department Office of Inspector General report.

The Bureau of Prisons has decreased the number of Federal Prison Industries inmate workers to about 12,400, its lowest level in almost 20 years. The workers primarily make clothing for the military.

More information: FierceGovernment article:http://goo.gl/m6lMHj