GAO advises possible revision of CIO-SP4 RFP

      The GAO, in a protest decision, has recommended that the National Institutes of Health’s NITAAC reconsider and possibly redo its RFP for CIO-SP4.

      Here’s what the GAO said: “We recommend that the agency reconsider its requirements and the limitations the RFP imposes on the experience that may be submitted by large business mentors, and whether the agency believes there are justifications for the limitations that are consistent with our discussion herein. If the agency elects to retain the current version of the RFP, it should advise the protester of the new justification for the limitations. In the alternative, we recommend that NIH amend the solicitation to either remove the limitations, or to revise the evaluation criteria in a manner that treats offerors in an equal manner and is consistent with...13 C.F.R. § 125.8(e). If the agency amends the solicitation, it should provide offerors an opportunity to submit revised proposals.”

Read more:
GAO’s full decision: https://bit.ly/3e2B3AF

Cyber reporting dropped from NDAA

      Cybersecurity reporting requirements and FISA updates in the works for months did not make it into the final version of the NDAA, according to a report by Nextgov.

      While the House initially included provisions for private-sector entities to report incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within 72 hours, and ransomware attacks within 24 hours, those measures were not included in the final version negotiated by the House and Senate.

Read more at:
Nextgov report: https://bit.ly/320dMMU

New Web portal for Affirmative Action

      DOL announced it has launched a new Web portal allowing federal contractors and subcontractors to certify compliance with annual Affirmative Action Program requirements. Companies with 50 or more employees receiving contracts of $50,000 or more ($150K for veteran-owned) generally need to create and carry out such plans.

Read more at:
DOL notice: https://bit.ly/3lXF2mo
Fox Rothschild LLP guide: https://bit.ly/3GzRDns

Inside this edition:

Biden lifts SDB goal to 11% in 2022, on track to 15% in 2025

House OKs 2022 NDAA

CR extended, debt limit deal

Judge puts hold on mandatory vaccines for federal contractors

House SB Committee items in latest NDAA

MBDA made permanent

Management Agenda released

NAICS for non-manufacturer waivers

Column: OMB Releases Guidance to Advance Equity for Underserved Small Businesses in Federal Procurement

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update