Advancing AI in Government: A New Blueprint for Responsible Acquisition
A new OMB memorandum sets out comprehensive guidance for federal agencies to responsibly acquire AI, emphasizing innovation, interoperability, and public trust.
EU Plans to Ease GDPR Compliance Amid Push for Business-Friendly Regulations
The European Commission is preparing to streamline GDPR requirements, aiming to support SMEs and cut red tape, but critics warn of lobbying risks and potential threats to data protection integrity.
Rethinking Bureaucracy: How Governments Can Innovate Without Losing Accountability
Jorrit de Jong of Harvard Kennedy School explores how governments can move beyond bureaucratic dysfunction by embracing innovation while preserving values like accountability and standardization.
Recent OFCCP Policy Shifts: What Federal Contractors Need to Know
Recent policy shifts at OFCCP significantly impact federal contractors, reducing affirmative action requirements and promoting merit-based employment compliance. Contractors must proactively adapt to avoid compliance risks.
Federal Circuit Affirms Government’s Right to Challenge Improper Restrictive Markings on Commercial Technical Data
A recent Federal Circuit decision affirms the U.S. government’s authority to challenge restrictive markings on commercial technical data, even when developed at private expense, with implications for defense contractors navigating DFARS compliance and IP protections.
Executive Order Shifts Federal Procurement to GSA: Implications for Contractors
President Trump's 2025 executive order consolidates federal procurement under GSA, aiming to reduce waste and enhance efficiency. Federal contractors face strategic shifts, increased competition, and altered procurement processes. Understanding implications and engaging proactively with GSA will be critical for businesses to succeed under this new centralized procurement framework.
Executive Order Reignites Push for Centralized Federal Procurement at GSA
A new executive order from President Trump directs GSA to centralize procurement of common goods and services, aiming for efficiency and cost savings, but raises concerns over implementation challenges and impacts on contractors.
DoD Acquisition Nominee Pledges CMMC Review and Support for Small Business Cybersecurity Challenges
Michael Duffey, nominee for the Pentagon’s top acquisition role, pledges to review the CMMC program and explore shared SCIFs to ease cybersecurity compliance burdens for small defense contractors.
2024 GAO Report Highlights Steady Lobbying Compliance and Continued Enforcement Challenges
GAO's 2024 report reveals high lobbyist compliance with disclosure rules but flags ongoing issues like incomplete reporting of covered positions. Enforcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office remains robust, emphasizing transparency in lobbying practices.
GAO Denies Protest by Wave Digital Assets Regarding DOJ Cryptocurrency Management Contract Award
GAO denies Wave Digital Assets' protest over DOJ cryptocurrency management contract, clarifying compliance and license requirements as performance issues rather than evaluation criteria.
Breaking the Backlog: GAO Calls for Milestones and Funding in State Department’s Passport Reform Plan
GAO's March 2025 report reveals major delays in passport processing and urges the State Department to define milestones and resource needs for its modernization roadmap to prevent future disruptions.
Rethinking Institutions for a Complex World: A Summary of the UNDP Institutional Innovation Playbook
The UNDP’s Institutional Innovation Playbook offers practical guidance for designing resilient public institutions that can tackle today’s global challenges, from climate change to AI. Learn how to reshape outdated governance structures and build adaptive, citizen-centered systems.
GAO Denies Protest Over Army Waste Services Contract at Fort Moore
GAO denies Zero Waste Solutions’ protest over an Army contract award for waste services at Fort Moore, affirming that the winning bidder’s proposal was responsive and the responsibility determination was reasonable.
GAO Sustains Protest Over Ambiguous Solicitation Terms in Army Access Control Contract
GAO sustains Perimeter Security Partners’ protest over a latently ambiguous solicitation issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, impacting a $45M access control maintenance contract.
GAO Highlights Gaps in SBA’s Fraud Detection During COVID-19 Relief Programs
A March 2025 GAO report criticizes the SBA’s delayed and ineffective fraud controls in the COVID-19 PPP and EIDL loan programs, raising concerns over billions in potentially fraudulent loans.
Private Sector Insights for Smarter Cloud Adoption in Government
GAO’s March 2025 report highlights how private sector best practices in cloud acquisition, cybersecurity, and workforce development can inform smarter cloud adoption across federal agencies, offering lessons in cost control, risk management, and strategic alignment.
GAO Upholds Army’s Sole-Source Award to Repkon for TNT Facility Amidst National Security Concerns
GAO denies Systecon's protest over Army's sole-source TNT facility award to Repkon USA, citing national security risks due to Systecon’s partnership with a Chinese-linked firm. This decision emphasizes the critical importance of regulatory compliance and security assessments in defense contracting decisions.
Improving the DOD’s ESOP Pilot Program
GAO report highlights key improvements needed in DOD’s ESOP pilot program to boost innovation and defense industry engagement, emphasizing clearer guidelines and robust evaluation strategies.
Executive Order to Centralize Federal Procurement Under GSA: A Return to Past Practices
President Trump plans an executive order making GSA the central procurement authority for common federal purchases, reverting practices to pre-1990s reforms. Jason Miller details impacts on IT contracts, agency procurement, and anticipated implementation challenges for federal agencies and contractors.
The Evolving Role of Brokers in Federal Leasing: Key Takeaways from GAO’s Latest Report
GAO's latest report on federal real property leasing reveals a decline in broker involvement due to shifting agency needs and telework trends. While brokers met performance targets, a temporary exemption from competition failed to yield cost savings. With GSA leases expiring by 2027, future strategies must balance efficiency, competition, and cost avoidance. Read the key insights here.