Annual Recertification Unlikely
A proposal to require GSA schedule contractors to recertify their small-business status every year appears to have sunk under the weight of widespread opposition from inside and outside the government.

Industry Day Is Planned for Iraq Reconstruction
The Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority will hold an industry day Nov. 19 in Arlington, VA, to outline its plans for the next round of reconstruction contracts, now that President Bush has signed the $87.5 billion supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congress Waters Down "Buy American" Amendments
Congress killed tough “Buy American” provisions in the final version of the 2004 Defense authorization bill, in the face of opposition from the Bush administration and many defense contractors.

House Votes to End Prison Labor Preference
The House voted to end Federal Prison Industries’ mandatory source preference in federal contracting and to prohibit the prison labor corporation from bidding on small business set-aside contracts.

Safavian to be Nominated as Procurement Policy Chief
President Bush will nominate a former congressional staffer, David Hossein Safavian, to head OMB’s Office of Federal Procurement Policy, the White House announced Nov. 4.

Homeland Security R&D Plans Outlined
The Department of Homeland Security’s Advanced Research Projects Agency is usually described as a civilian version of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, known as DARPA. Wrong, says the director of HSARPA.

Homeland Security Acquisition Plans Sought
The House Government Reform Committee is examining acquisition policy at the Department of Homeland Security.

Congress Restricts Outsourcing in Small Units
Congress has voted to restrict outsourcing of small units in the Interior and Energy departments and the Agriculture Department’s Forest Service.