8(a) Program
New 8(a) rules limit JVs, allow higher income, 2/18, 1.
SBA official: new 8(a) joint venture rules provide clarity, 3/4, 2.
Important changes for 8(a) joint ventures, 3/18, 3.
New rule aims at Alaska Native sole-source contracts, 4/1, 2.
SBA defends Alaska Native contract preferences, 4/15, 2.
GSA to Bidders: Cut Prices, 7/8, 1.
8(a) STARS II Taps 599 Contractors, 8/5, 2.
IG: Tiny Alaska Native Firm Served as Pass-Through, 8/26, 1.
Business Issues: Valuation of an 8(a) Company, 12/2, 3.

Air Force
Several big multiple award contracts on the horizon, 4/15, 1.
Air Force: Contractors Abandoned Unfinished Job, 11/4, 2.
Air Force Outlines Plans for Strategic Sourcing, 11/4, 4.
Contractors Charged with Bilking Air Force, 11/18, 3.
Air Force Contract Consolidation: A Progress Report, 12/2, 4.
Air Force Awards $950 Million Set-Aside Contract, 12/16, 4.

Alaska Native Corporations
New rule aims at Alaska Native sole-source contracts, 4/1, 2.
SBA defends Alaska Native contract preferences, 4/15, 2.
IG: Tiny Alaska Native Firm Served as Pass-Through, 8/26, 1.
“Brazen” Kickback Scheme Snares Alaska 8(a) Firm, 10/7, 1.
Army Corps Scandal Shines Light on Alaska Firms, 10/21, 4.
Defense Dept. Reviewing Alaska 8(a) Contracts, 11/18, 2.

Army
Army insourcing requires top-level approval, 2/18, 2.
Several big multiple award contracts on the horizon, 4/15, 1.
Army chooses 35 contractors for OPTARSS II, 4/29, 4.

Army Corps of Engineers
“Brazen” Kickback Scheme Snares Alaska 8(a) Firm, 10/7, 1.
Army Corps Scandal Shines Light on Alaska Firms, 10/21, 4.

Basile, Tom (columnist) (and Al Pines)
The last sales pitch, 1/7, 3.
Sales and fishing have something in common, 2/18, 3.
Expanding your federal business, 4/15, 3.
Want to Win? Think Simple, 10/7, 3.
Developing a Go-To-Market Plan, 10/21, 3.
Implementing the Go-To-Market Plan, 11/4, 4.

Budget, Budget Cuts
Divided Congress faces fight over spending, 1/7, 1.
Gates seeks to head off further defense cuts, 1/21, 1.
Congressional overseers eye cuts in SBA budget, 2/4, 1.
Washington’s “March Madness:” spending fight ahead, 2/18, 1.
No shutdown, but plenty of uncertainty, 3/4, 1.
Congress readies another short-term spending bill, 3/18, 2.
Spending cuts hit building, highway construction, 4/15, 1.
Lean times ahead for industry, 4/29, 1.
Budget Cuts Are Coming—Managing Your Costs, 5/13, 3.
Ahead: A Year of Uncertainty, A Decade of Belt-Tightening, 8/5, 1.
Coping with the New Reality, 9/23, 3.
Spending Cuts Ahead, But the News Is Not All Bad, 11/18, 1.
Obama: Too Many Phones, Laptops and Tee-Shirts, 11/18, 4.

Burr, Jeffrey (columnist)
Termination for Convenience: What Happens When You Get the Chop, 9/9, 3.

Cherokee Nation Businesses
Cherokee Nation Celebrates Biggest Contract, 8/26, 2.

Clark, Wayne (columnist)
Budget Cuts Are Coming—Managing Your Costs, 5/13, 3.

Construction contracting
Spending cuts hit building, highway construction, 4/15, 1.

Contractor Business Issues
The last sales pitch, 1/7, 3.
Survey shows squeeze on contractor profits, 1/21, 3.
Excusable delays in contracts, 1/21, 3.
DOD expects contractor mergers, 2/18, 2.
Sales and fishing have something in common, 2/18, 3.
The government has a program for that. Or two, 3/18, 2.
Surviving a government shutdown: a contractor perspective, 4/1, 3.
Expanding your federal business, 4/15, 3.
Managing Bid and Proposal Expenses, 5/27, 3.
DOD:Cut Price, Not Profit, 6/10, 1.
Acquisition Rules to be Reviewed, 6/10, 7.
Labor Dept. Wants Data on Contractor Pay, Benefits, 8/26, 1.
New Contractor Must Retain Incumbent’s Workers, 9/9, 1.
Termination for Convenience: What Happens When You Get the Chop, 9/9, 3.
“Horror Story:” Ghost of a Long-Ago Termination, 9/9, 4.
Pay Small Firms in 15 Days? Maybe, 9/23, 1.
Obama Attacks “Excessive” Executive Compensation, 9/23, 2.
Support Builds for Cap on Contractor Executive Pay, 10/21, 1.
Congress To Expand Coverage of Contractor Pay Cap, 12/16, 1.
Labor Proposes Goal for Hiring Disabled Workers, 12/16, 1.
I Have to Do What? Hire My Competitor’s Employees? 12/16, 3.

Contractor Integrity, Procurement Fraud
Senators’ first priority: stop contracting fraud, 1/7, 2.
Bill attacks fraud in SBA contracting programs, 4/1, 1.
SBA plans new emphasis on fraud prevention, 4/15, 2.
IG: “A Huge Problem” in Monitoring Contractors, 6/24, 2.
Small Company Settles False Claims Case, 8/26, 2.
“Brazen” Kickback Scheme Snares Alaska 8(a) Firm, 10/7, 1.
Air Force: Contractors Abandoned Unfinished Job, 11/4, 2.
OMB Orders Review of Suspension, Debarment, 12/2, 2.

Cybersecurity
Defense Wants New Safeguards for Unclassified Data, 7/8, 1.

Defense Department
Defense contracting cuts will be “relatively minor,” 1/7, 1.
Gates seeks to head off further defense cuts, 1/21, 1.
JFCOM contractors face ax, 1/21, 2.
DOD expects contractor mergers, 2/18, 2.
Defense Dept. opens new set-aside categories, 3/4, 2.
Defense secretary details contractor cutbacks, 4/1, 1.
DOD: cost-benefit analysis required for insourcing, 4/1, 2.
Defense Department: a prompt pay? 4/29, 1.
Defense Dept. sees savings in services contracting, 4/29, 2.
Defense Dept. Buyers Must Press for Lower Prices, 5/13, 2.
DOD Needs Better Cost Analysis for Insourcing: Report, 5/27, 2.
House Votes Against Defense Dept. Insourcing, 6/10, 1.
DOD:Cut Price, Not Profit, 6/10, 1.
Senate Panel Wants DOD Contract Spending Freeze, 6/24, 2.
Defense Wants New Safeguards for Unclassified Data, 7/8, 1.
Defense Department Acts to Improve Competition, 8/5, 3.
JFCOM Is Shut Down; So Are Contractor Jobs, 8/26, 4.
Defense Dept. Can’t Break its Noncompetitive Habit, 9/9, 2.
Defense Secretary: Pay Attention to Small Business Contracting, 9/9, 2.
DISA Leads Consolidation of Defense Data Centers, 12/2, 1.

Energy Department
Energy Department: no pay raises for contractors, 1/7, 4.

Executive Order: Reporting Political Spending
Obama may spotlight contractors’ political spending, 4/29, 1.
Industry Fights Disclosure of Contractors’ Political Donations, 5/27, 1.
Senate Panel Wants DOD Contract Spending Freeze, 6/24, 2.

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
FAA Partially Shut Down as Congress Takes Recess, 8/5, 2.

FAPIIS (Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System)
Contractor information will be open to public, 2/4, 2.

Franco, Antonio, and Nichole DeVries (columnists)
I Have to Do What? Hire My Competitor’s Employees? 12/16, 3.

Fraud, Waste, Abuse in Contracting
Senators’ first priority: stop contracting fraud, 1/7, 2.
Bill attacks fraud in SBA contracting programs, 4/1, 1.
SBA plans new emphasis on fraud prevention, 4/15, 2.
IG: “A Huge Problem” in Monitoring Contractors, 6/24, 2.
Small Company Settles False Claims Case, 8/26, 2.
“Brazen” Kickback Scheme Snares Alaska 8(a) Firm, 10/7, 1.
Air Force: Contractors Abandoned Unfinished Job, 11/4, 2.
OMB Orders Review of Suspension, Debarment, 12/2, 2.

Galaviz, Fernando (columnist)
One size doesn’t fit all, 3/4, 3.

General Services Administration, GSA schedules
Yet another new and improved GSA Advantage, 1/21, 2.
GSA outlines emphasis on small business, 4/29, 2.
GSA to Bidders: Cut Prices, 7/8, 1.
GSA Breaks Up IT Contract, 7/8, 2.
GSA Seeks Comment on New Services Contract, 7
Color Your IT Schedule Green, 8/5, 1.
GSA Seeks Centralized IT Commodity Purchasing, 8/26, 1.
eMod/eOffer Will Be Mandatory for IT Contractors, 9/9, 1.
Set-Aside for Mid-Tier Firms Is Questioned, 9/23, 2.
Strategic Sourcing Contract Targets Printers, Copiers, 10/7, 2.
Set-Asides Authorized for Multiple Award Contracts, 11/4, 1.

Goals, Procurement
Contract Dollars shrank in 2010, 2/18, 3.
New efforts to increase small business contracting, 3/4, 1.
Contract Dollars Hit a Record, But Short of Goal, 7/8, 2.
Senator Wants Recount on Small Business Contracting, 8/5, 3.

Green Procurement
New Regulation Aims for Green Procurement, 6/10, 2.
Industry Groups Say Interim Rules Are Unfair, 6/24, 2.
Color Your IT Schedule Green, 8/5, 1.

Homeland Security Department
Customs-border agency outlines IT outsourcing, 1/21, 2.
Several big multiple award contracts on the horizon, 4/15, 1.
Acquisition Plan Set for First Source II, 10/7, 4.

HUBZone Program
The HUBZone Program: Six Myths Debunked, 7/22, 3.
New Census Data Threatens HUBZone Contractors, 8/5, 4.
Senate Bill Would Grandfather HUBZone Companies, 9/23, online edition.
Thousands of HUBZone Firms Face Decertification, 10/7, 2.

Insourcing
Army insourcing requires top-level approval, 2/18, 2.
DOD: cost-benefit analysis required for insourcing, 4/1, 2.
DOD Needs Better Cost Analysis for Insourcing: Report, 5/27, 2.
House Votes Against Defense Dept. Insourcing, 6/10, 1.
House Chairman: Insourcing Rules Should Be Public, 7/8, 3.
Rules for Insourcing, Outsourcing Are Clarified, 9/23, 2.

Interior Department
IG: Tiny Alaska Native Firm Served as Pass-Through, 8/26, 1.

IT Contracting
OMB: Don’t Play Favorites on IT Purchases, 1/21, 2.
Customs-border agency outlines IT outsourcing, 1/21, 2.
New IT policy emphasizes renting, not buying, 3/4, 2.
Justice awards giant IT contract, 4/1, 2.
Set-Aside Proposed for Mid-Tier IT Contractors, 5/27, 2.
GSA Breaks Up IT Contract, 7/8, 2.
VA Awards Huge IT Contract, 7/8, 3.
VA Aims to Improve Communication, 7/8, 3.
IRS Picks Small IT Contractors, 7/8, 3.
GSA Seeks Centralized IT Commodity Purchasing, 8/26, 1.
eMod/eOffer Will Be Mandatory for IT Contractors, 9/9, 1.
DISA Leads Consolidation of Defense Data Centers, 12/2, 1.
CIO Pushes “Single Door” for Contractors, 12/2, 2.
OMB To Set Standards for Cloud Computing Security, 12/16, 2.

Interagency Contracting
Controls Planned for Interagency Contracts, BPAs, 6/10, 2.

Internal Revenue Service
IRS Picks Small IT Contractors, 7/8, 3.

Jaffe, Sid (columnist)
Managing Bid and Proposal Expenses, 5/27, 3.

Justice Department
Justice awards giant IT contract, 4/1, 2.

Koprince, Steven (columnist)
Staying Small and SBA’s New Size Standards, 4/29, 3.
The HUBZone Program: Six Myths Debunked, 7/22, 3.

Labor Department
Labor Dept. Wants Data on Contractor Pay, Benefits, 8/26, 1.
New Contractor Must Retain Incumbent’s Workers, 9/9, 1.
Labor Proposes Goal for Hiring Disabled Workers, 12/16, 1.

Marcincko, Thomas (columnist)
Surviving a government shutdown: a contractor perspective, 4/1, 3.

Mentor-Protégé Programs
New 8(a) rules limit JVs, allow higher income, 2/18, 1.
SBA official: new 8(a) joint venture rules provide clarity, 3/4, 2.
Important changes for 8(a) joint ventures, 3/18, 3.
No Follow-Up on Most Mentor-Protégé Programs, 6/24, 3.

Mid-Size companies, Mid-Tier companies
Set-Aside Proposed for Mid-Tier IT Contractors, 5/27, 2.
Set-Aside for Mid-Tier Firms Is Questioned, 9/23, 2.

Multiple Award Contracts
Several big multiple award contracts on the horizon, 4/15, 1.
New Controls on Large Multiple Award Contracts, 10/7, 4.
Largest Set-Aside Contract Opportunities for 2012, 10/21, 1.
Set-Asides Authorized for Multiple Award Contracts, 11/4, 1.

Navy
Several big multiple award contracts on the horizon, 4/15, 1.

Nordlinger, Dean (columnist)
Ownership Rules May Trip Up SDV Companies, 8/26, 3.

Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget
OMB: Feds, contractors should meet, talk, discuss, 2/18, 2.
Controls Planned for Interagency Contracts, BPAs, 6/10, 2.
Industry Groups Say Interim Rules Are Unfair, 6/24, 2.

Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
GAO: Not All OSDBUS Are Created Equal, 6/24, 3.

Outsourcing
Rules for Insourcing, Outsourcing Are Clarified, 9/23, 2.
Watchdog Says Outsourcing Increases Costs, 9/23, 4.

Petruska, Tom (columnist)
Excusable delays in contracts, 1/21, 3.
Coping with the New Reality, 9/23, 3.

Quick Pay
Pay Small Firms in 15 Days? Maybe, 9/23, 1.

Reverse Auctions
Study: Reverse Auctions Save Money and Time, 11/4, 4.

Security Clearances
Supreme Court Upholds Background Checks for Contractors, 2/4, 2.

Service Contracts
White House Targets Management Support Contracts, 7/22, 1.
GSA Seeks Comment on New Services Contract, 7/8, 1.
Industry: Proposed Contracting Cuts “Arbitrary”, 7/22, 2.
OMB Targets Management Support Contracts, 12/2, 1.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses
Ownership Rules May Trip Up SDV Companies, 8/26, 3.
VA: veteran-owned firms must prove eligibility, 1/7, 2.
VA Scrubs Its Contractor List, 8/5, 2.
Task Force Eyes Contracting Preference for Veterans, 11/18, 3.
Senators Seek Probe of VA Contracting, 11/18, 3.

Size Standards
SBA to seek comment on new size standards, 1/7, 3.
Opinion: One size doesn’t fit all, 3/4, 3.
SBA proposes new size standards for services, 3/18, 1.
Size standards spark industry debate, 3/18, 2.
Staying Small and SBA’s New Size Standards, 4/29, 3.
Differing Views on Size Standards at Hearing, 5/13, 1.
SBA Adopts Changes in Size Protest Rules, 5/13, 2.
SBA to Raise Some Size Standards, 5/27, 1.
Proposed Size Standards: Industry Suggestions, 6/10, 3.
Size Standards: Architects Want Less, IT Contractors Want More6/24, 1.
SBA Sets Timetable for Size Standards Review, 7/22, 2.
Senator: No NAICS Codes = Simpler Size Standards, 10/7, 1.
Size Standards: Proposals for NAICS 51 and 56, 10/21, 2.
Bigger Size Standards Proposed for Real Estate, Education, 11/18, 2.

Small Business Administration
Congressional overseers eye cuts in SBA budget, 2/4, 1.
SBA could be target in government reorganization, 2/4, 2.
SBA plans new emphasis on fraud prevention, 4/15, 2.
SBA Adopts Changes in Size Protest Rules, 5/13, 2.
SBA Hands Out Honors at Small Business Week, 5/27, 12.
IG: “A Huge Problem” in Monitoring Contractors, 6/24, 2.
SBA Will Try to Simplify Application Process, 9/9, 2.
New Subcontracting Rule Proposed, 10/7, 4.
Grants Offer Small Businesses Help With Teaming, 10/7, 4.
SBA Rule: Annual Recertification, Tougher Penalties, 10/21, 2.

Small Business Innovation Research Program
Politics Stalls Small Business R&D Bill in Senate, 5/13, 2.
Congress May Increase Small Business R&D Funding, 12/16, 2.

Small Disadvantaged Businesses
SDB Price Preference To Be Ended, 9/23, 4.
Administration: No Change in Support for SDBs, 11/4, 5.

Smigocki, Michael (columnist)
Business Issues: Valuation of an 8(a) Company, 12/2, 3.

Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian will buy (more) American, 3/18, 4.

Spending Cuts—see Budget Cuts

Strategic Sourcing
Strategic Sourcing Contract Targets Printers, Copiers, 10/7, 2.
Air Force Outlines Plans for Strategic Sourcing, 11/4, 4.
Air Force Contract Consolidation: A Progress Report, 12/2, 4.

Subcontracting
New Subcontracting Rule Proposed, 10/7, 4.

Tax Withholding
IRS Postpones Contractor Tax Withholding, 5/13, 1.
House Votes to Repeal Contractor Withholding Rule, 11/4, 1.
Congress Votes to Repeal Contractor Withholding, 11/18, 1.

Transportation Department
Transportation Dept. overhauls DBE program rules, 2/4, 2.

Veterans Affairs Department
VA: veteran-owned firms must prove eligibility, 1/7, 2.
VA Awards Huge IT Contract, 7/8, 3.
VA Aims to Improve Communication, 7/8, 3.
VA Scrubs Its Contractor List, 8/5, 2.
GAO: Vets Come First at VA, 10/21, 2.
VA Faces Lawsuit over “Veterans First” Preference, 11/4, 2.
Senators Seek Probe of VA Contracting, 11/18, 3.
VA: Vets First Contracting Policy is Under Review, 12/16, 2.

Williams, Jon (columnist)
Important changes for 8(a) joint ventures, 3/18, 3.

Woman-Owned Business Contracting Program
More glitches for women’s set-aside program, 2/4, 1.
First RFPs Are Set Aside for Woman-Owned Firms, 6/24, 1.
First Contract Awarded Under Women’s Set-Aside, 7/8, 1.
Certifiers Named for Women’s Contracting Program, 8/5, 2.