A new Web portal offers free access to government contract data in a simplified format.

The site, www.ffata.org, was created by Global Computer Enterprises Inc., the Reston, VA, contractor that operates the government’s official Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation.

GCE says the new site features a “Google-like” search capability that allows users to drill down to get details on individual contracts and grants. Many critics have complained that the FPDS site is difficult to use.

The watchdog group OMB Watch has a similar service, www.fedspending.org.

“FFATA” stands for the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. Signed into law by President Bush last year, the act requires the Office of Management and Budget to make all contract and grant information publicly available online by Jan. 1. OMB and GSA are reviewing offers from contractors bidding to operate the site.

A federal judge has thrown out the latest challenge to the price evaluation preference for small disadvantaged businesses. Judge Xavier Rodriguez of San Antonio said the preference is constitutional under Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action.

He granted a summary judgment in favor of the government in the long-running challenge to federal affirmative action programs, Rothe Development Corp. vs. U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of the Air Force.

The Office of Management and Budget is urging agencies to rehire retired acquisition personnel to fill vacant slots.

Congress authorized the program last year, but OMB said few agencies have taken advantage of it. The retirees do not lose pension benefits by going back to work.

“We are more reliant on contracting to support agency missions, and federal acquisition spending has nearly doubled in the last five years,” Paul Denett, administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, wrote in a memo to chief acquisition officers. “However, a significant loss of experience and corporate knowledge is expected as the baby boomer generation retires over the next few years.”

GSA’s Public Buildings Service has released a new publication that establishes guidance and lays out the process for designing site security at federal facilities. 

For more information about the Security Design Guide, visit www.gsa.gov/ssdg.

SBA Administrator Steven Preston presented the following awards during the National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference in Washington:

National Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Lani Hay, President, Lanmark Technology Inc.

National 8(a) Graduate of the Year: Orneth La Corbiniere, Kelly’s Cleaning Services Inc.

Administrator’s Leadership Award: Jim House, OSDBU Director, Agriculture Department.

Administrator’s Leadership Award: Secretary Jim Nicholson, Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ralph C. Thomas III has been named director of the Federal Small Business Practice Group in the Government Contracts Section of the Washington law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney. Thomas says it is the first major law firm to create a group devoted to small contractors.

Thomas formerly served as NASA assistant administrator for small and disadvantaged business utilization.