The General Services Administration should rely more on electronic tools to reduce the number of mistakes and unauthorized approvals in its Multiple Award Schedule contracts, the agency's inspector general said.

GSA has two applications that can check if contracts are following the proper procedures as they move through the many steps to award. The agency can use eOffer and eMod, which are Web-based systems that let vendors electronically submit contract offers and modifications. The inspector general found that GSA uses the applications in less than 30 percent of contracting actions.

Most MAS Schedules have converted to eOffer and eMod which require Authorized Negotiators and their representatives to have Digital Certificates.  For more information regarding how this process affects your contract, contact your WMG Consultant.

>> Link to Original Source

The Coast Guard is, perhaps belatedly, seeking technologies to help combat the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  In a broad agency announcement, the Coast Guard Research and Development Center asks for white papers proposing technologies to deal with five specific needs.  

The announcement was published on FedBizOpps as BAA HSCG32-10-R-R00019.  Although the April explosion at the Deepwater Horizon well, and the resulting spill – which is still ongoing – was the precipitating event for the issuance of the solicitation, it will remain open for one year.  The announcement contains instructions for submitting white papers.

>> Link to Original Source

GSA has issued the “Modernization of Federal Acquisition Service’s Environmental Symbols” that was announced the week of May 31.  The purpose is to update the environmental symbols GSA uses in electronic catalogs such as GSAAdvantage! and GSA Global Supply.  The implementation date will not be until early 2011, though GSA would like to provide contractors with enough lead time to review their product list and obtain certifications (as applicable) before the effective date.  More details about how to submit new product designations will be available at vsc.gsa.gov closer to implementation.

There are a number of symbols that will be retained, added, and deleted.  For a complete listing of all updated symbols, visit the following GSA link: https://vsc.gsa.gov/Sustainable%20Icon%20Revision.pdf

>> Link to Original Source

General Supply and Services (GSS), is in the early stages of creating a statement of work (SOW) library as a resource to assist GSA Multiple Award Schedule customers procuring services, and services with products.  Their goal is to identify and categorize best SOWs for repetitive type tasks under each schedule.

In addition to best SOWs for specific schedules, GSS will consider specific topics;

Examples:

• Sample SOWs to Review and Assess a Program

• Sample Performance Based SOWs for Language Services

• Sample best SOWs  that cross multiple Schedules

• Sample best SOWs for full turnkey solutions

• Sample SOWs for LogWorld in an overseas environment

• Sample SOWs for security systems with built in sustainability or "green" elements.

• Sample SOWs for facilities maintenance with built in sustainability or "green" requirements

If you have any questions about this initiative feel free to contact Jeff Manthos or Geri Haworth , the Services IGC Co-Chairs directly at:

Jeff Manthos: 703.605-2838, jefftrey.manthos@gsa.gov/
Geri Haworth: 253-931-7064, geri.haworth@gsa.gov/

>> Link to Original Source

As the government fiscal year-end approaches, now is a good time to make sure all of your schedule contract administrative information is in order. One often-overlooked detail is a contractor’s CCR (Central Contractor Registration) record.  This registry serves many purposes not the least of which is that all potential contract awards require that the Contractor have a current registration in the CCR database.  A current and complete CCR record with up-to-date company/contact information and updated NAICS codes not only aids government procurement personnel in finding suitable contractors during market research for upcoming projects, but also helps insure that the government can make proper payment to your company on completed contracts.

Contact your WMG Consultant to review your company’s CCR record.

>> Link to Original Source

Award Recipients are required by the Recovery Act to file quarterly reports on the status of their funds and respective project(s). FederalReporting.gov will be available for reporting from July 1-20. Reporting between June 15 and June 20, however, will flag your report as a Late Submission. Award Recipients will be able to comment on Sub Recipient reports following the reporting period.

All recipients (prime and sub) are encouraged to update their Central Contractor Registration information on www.ccr.gov at least 48 hours prior to reporting.

Reporting Dates:

July 1 – 14.....................Recipients Report
July 15 – 20....................Recipients Report – Marked as 'Late'
July 21 – 22....................Recipient Review
July 23 – 29....................Agency Review
July 30.........................Data is published on Recovery.gov
August 3 – September 14.........Continuous QA Period
September 16....................Final Continuous QA data published on Recovery.gov

>> Link to Original Source

FedSources Consulting, a Washington Management Group company, announced today it has moved its offices into Washington D.C. – into the heart of the government market – along side its parent company, The Washington Management Group (WMG).

The move puts FedSources Consulting in the middle of the highest-priority federal
decisions and activities, and provides easier access to its facilities for industry and
government clients.

“With the depth of government analysis we provide, it became increasingly important
to be here in Washington, D.C. – downtown – where many of the largest contracting
decisions are made,” said Bill Gormley, president and CEO of FedSources Consulting.
FedSources Consulting’s new address is:

1990 M Street NW
Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036

In conjunction with the move, FedSources Consulting has launched a new website
that highlights the firm’s core competencies and provides detailed information about
the depth and breadth of services it provides.

Core Services
FedSources Consulting focuses on five core government-analysis services:

1. Pipeline Master Plan. FedSources Consulting researches, analyzes, and
validates opportunity information and delivers it in a complete master plan.
2. Market Sizing. FedSources Consulting delivers market sizing information as
well as recommendations for target agencies based on our assessment of our
clients’ government “sweet spot”.
3. Tailored Agency Profiles. FedSources Consulting delivers in-depth agency
profiles tailored specifically to clients’ business priorities and sales goals.
4. Client Satisfaction Surveys. FedSources Consulting surveys clients’
government customers – on the phone, as an outside research firm – to get
an unbiased determination of their level of satisfaction with the client’s work.
5. Acquisition Identification. FedSources Consulting identifies potential
acquisition targets based on in-depth analysis of clients’ core competencies,
agency requirements, and the competitive landscape.

Complete Action Plan
As a FedSources Consulting client, you get an action plan. We give you a complete
foundation for your government business strategy, from highly qualified opportunities to tailored agency profiles to acquisition recommendations. That plan is based on in-depth research – phone conversations with government representatives– that uncovers critical information not accessible by simple web searches.

To find out how to become a FedSources Consulting client, call 202-833-1120 or visit

>> Link to Original Source

An established professional services firm is looking for a seasoned, federal marketing leader to support expanding its presence in the public sector and a director of contracts to manage existing contracts and build compliant processes to support significant growth.  Positions in Vienna, VA.

Marketing Director  http://us-careers-alvarezandmarsal.icims.com/jobs/1345/job

Contracts Director http://us-careers-alvarezandmarsal.icims.com/jobs/1318/job

>> Link to Original Source

Recent college graduate looking for a position as an Event Planner or within Human Resource Management that will provide the opportunities to demonstrate leadership, organizational, and customer service skills. For more information, please contact Patrick Morrison at WMG (pmorrison@washmg.com)

FedSources Executive Breakfast – Get to know your CIO
Featuring David Bowen, Assistant Administrator and Chief Information Officer,
Federal Aviation Administration
Thursday,June 17, 2010
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
Tysons Corner, McLean, VA.
For more information go to:
http://www.fedsources.com/Services/Events/brk_bowen.aspx

GSA Network Services Conference 2010
June 21 – 24, 2010
Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL.
For more information go to:
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/eventView.do?viewType=DETAIL&eventId=5594&occurId=2481

FedSources & Lohfeld Consulting – Capture Management Training Seminar
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Offices of FedSources, McLean, VA.
For more information or to register go to:
http://www.fedsources.com/Services/Events/Lohfeld_Capture_Management_Training_062410.aspx

Shay Assad Breakfast Event
Wednesday June 30, 2010
Shay Assad, Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy, will speak to the Coalition for Government Procurement (CGP) about current DOD policies and use of non-DoD contracts on June 30th, 2010 at the Marriott Crystal Gateway in Arlington.  This is a great opportunity to hear directly from DoD and obtain insight into the agencies procurement strategies.  Click here https://netforum.avectra.com/eWeb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=CGP&WebCode=EventDetail&evt_key=b24e6639-d992-4068-a6da-33f85249f4bc&msm=d37e4e2a-2052-4d60-a6de-33e0ebf54fad&cst=68083e68-2a19-4548-bce1-3829f66961f5&ent=a1bfceac-5c09-433b-b976-457dadb305ac  for more information and to register.