Management

Musk visits and asserts growing influence at GSA

Musk has former employees installed at the government’s HR shop, and several have appeared at its acquisition, tech and real estate agency as well.

Transition

Breakneck pace of executive orders and lagging, unclear guidance leave contractors guessing

The Professional Services Council president and CEO said that contractors may not know the criteria spending programs are being reviewed under or who’s doing them while they wait. 

Management

Contractors face greater scrutiny from anti-DEI executive orders

President Trump’s actions come with enforcement provisions that encourage employees to report on their companies.

Workforce

Trump’s proposed cuts to the federal workforce could increase dependency on contractors, experts say

Conversely, Trump’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency plans to push for decreasing spending on federal contracts.

Defense

Musk's government roles create 'clear avenues for serious conflicts of interest'

The SpaceX CEO, who leads a company with more than $10 billion in government contracts, is also the face of a new body aimed at getting rid of government waste.

Management

Agencies expect small fiscal 2025 funding increases — at best

The Professional Services Council’s federal budget forecast predicts that fiscal 2025 appropriations will edge up slightly at best or face potential stinging GOP-led cuts.

Oversight

Oversight of contract security guards at federal buildings is lacking, OIG says

In one notable example from a recent report, a guard at a federal facility told a visitor to place their firearm in a bush to access the building.

Management

Industry execs weigh potential impacts of presidential transition

A group of senior leaders at government contractors outline the challenges and opportunities they see in a second Trump term.

Workforce

The federal government is striving to be a model for employing people with disabilities, but retention is a problem

EEOC found that in fiscal 2018 people with disabilities were 27% more likely to leave federal employment than people without disabilities.

Pay & Benefits

Labor Department sets 2025 federal contractor minimum wages

In a pair of filings in the Federal Register Monday, Labor Department officials set the range of minimum wages for contractors between $9.30 per hour for tipped workers to $17.75 per hour, depending on the job type.

Oversight

Senators debate how to minimize the security risks of federal contractors working with China

Some agencies have blown past deadlines to implement certain requirements that address conflicts of interest in contracting while lawmakers weighed additional guardrails.

Tech

FBI’s Carahsoft raid comes amid allegations of price-fixing

The leading IT reseller is in the middle of an ongoing False Claims Act case involving multiple vendors.

Tech

Could an easy radio fix have prevented the Trump assassination attempt?

“Being able to talk to other agencies real-time certainly would assist in that response,” one official said.

Tech

Generative AI’s fleet-footed evolution is causing quandaries for federal acquisition

Government leaders and federal contractors said the rapid development of generative AI makes it difficult for agencies to determine what types of tools it needs.

Tech

Senators look to mitigate risks in AI procurement

Sens. Gary Peters and Thom Tilis introduced new legislation that would codify safety measures in government contracts for artificial intelligence products and services.

News

Legislation weighing contractors' national security risk heads to Senate floor

One bill would bar federal agencies from contracting with entities that consult with the Chinese government.

Management

White House procurement office marks 50 years

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy has evolved since its inception to ensure the government is “buying as one,” as demonstrated in a new circular on acquisition data and information issued Tuesday.

Tech

Senators call for VA to tighten performance standards in new health records contract

Three lawmakers on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee are calling for the department to “add accountability and oversight provisions” in a renegotiated one-year contract with Oracle Cerner.

Workforce

IRS wants tax training focused on big filers

The agency seeks better training and access to tax law expertise regarding large organizations and wealthy individuals.

Oversight

GSA failing to monitor building maintenance contracts, watchdog says

A new report from the GSA inspector general found that contractors did not complete a majority of maintenance work orders sampled in six federal buildings.