Shutdown possible?

The current continuing resolution is expiring on Dec. 11, and concern is growing about whether the current “lame duck” Congress will pass a bill to keep the government open. Newly-elected lawmakers will be sworn in in January. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, who will become Senate Majority Leader in the next Congress, has said there will be no shutdown. However, some GOP members are urging that any funding bill include a provision to block President Obama’s expected executive orders on immigration. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., has gathered signatures from about 60 Republicans for that proposal.

DOD cost-reimbursement rule

Defense Department contracting officers did not properly follow a new interim contract oversight rule in 68% of the procurements recently reviewed in an audit.

The DOD Inspector General reviewed whether the officers followed interim Federal Acquisition Regulation revisions in the defense authorization law of fiscal 2009, section 864. The revisions were made final in September 2012.

Of 604 contracts reviewed, valued at $82.7 billion, DOD contracting personnel did not consistently implement the FAR revisions for 411 contracts, valued at about $31.7 billion, the audit said.

More information: DOD IG Report http://www.dodig.mil/pubs/documents/DODIG-2015-029.pdf

Sandia lobbying violation

Sandia National Lab appeared to have violated the U.S. Code and FAR provisions prohibiting federal funds to be used for lobbying federal officials to extend its contract with the Energy Department, a special inquiry by the inspector general found. The contract value was $2.4 billion.

More information: DOE IG Report http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/11/f19/IG-0927.pdf

GAO says 40% of WOSBs may have been ineligible

Rep. Graves opposes SBA reseller change

“Corrective action” on SEWP V

Small biz ‘manipulated’

Column: Cost and Pricing Proposals - An Adequacy Primer

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