A panel of federal CIO’s (DHS, Treasury, Small Business and more) was unanimous this week in saying that they focus most of their time and resources in areas where their agency’s progress is measured and reported upon. If, for example, FITARA guidelines are a key measurement focus, the CIO’s focus their time on ensuring that IT assets are acquired and managed appropriately and as centrally as possible. Is your agency in disaster management? If so, being Read more
Federal agencies are in mid-transition mode right now with “landing teams” on the ground at each agency representing the incoming Administration. Teams both want to know what agencies are up to and begin to outline strategic priorities moving forward. In addition to multiple discussions and briefings by senior career officials, agencies are also saying good-bye to an increasing number of political appointees. This requires careerists to wear even more Read more
There’s a lot to dislike about Continuing Resolutions (CR), aside from the fact that they’re better than a shutdown. Let’s look at just some that are impacting federal business right now.
First, the current CR funding most of the government expires Friday, December 9th. Despite assurances that Congress will pass another measure before that time, several federal agencies have definitely slowed their buying and planning until they know for certain that they will have money after that date. This can definitely have an impact on business your firm is trying to close before the holidays. Read more
Contractor Teaming Agreements and Prime/Sub deals typically have a “no poaching” clause discouraging one company from hiring away talented employees from the other. The Department of Justice, however, recently issued guidance that effectively makes many of these provisions unenforceable. DOJ’s reasoning is that such clauses may violate anti-trust rules. One exception could be if the agreement were part of a larger project, like a joint venture. Now Read more
Long-time reader T. Selleck writes, “My CEO has had it with being a federal prime contractor. We still want to sell to federal agencies, but we’re going to let someone else hold the contract.” This is a popular, but dangerous, approach for commercial companies to consider these days, T. With all of the new rules and increased oversight, some could make a legitimate complaint that federal business is best left to full-time federal primes. Yet, not being a prime often means Read more