Mastering the FAR Life Cycle: A Roadmap for Federal Contractors
This 750-word guide demystifies the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for federal contractors, walking through each phase of the contract life cycle—from requirements and competition to performance, claims, closeout, and a new 2025 executive order to streamline FAR. A must-read for navigating federal procurement with confidence.
Navigating Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Obligations: What Prime Contractors Must Know When Contracts Exceed $2 Million
Prime federal contractors with awards over $2 million face strict compliance under the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA), now known as Truthful Cost or Pricing Data. This article explores key disclosure obligations, audit risks, subcontractor liabilities, and compliance strategies.
Veterans Affairs Faces Critical Gaps in Software License Management
GAO finds the Department of Veterans Affairs is failing to track and reconcile software licenses, risking over-purchasing and cloud migration delays. The report urges immediate reforms.
FAR Part 52 Lineout Highlights Push Toward Transparency, Performance Oversight, and Industrial Base Integration
The proposed FAR Part 52 updates emphasize contractor feedback via Acquisition 360, stricter Earned Value Management System (EVMS) compliance, and integration of Title III industrial resources. These clauses, if adopted, will increase performance oversight and industry engagement in federal acquisitions. Contractors should assess readiness now.
Proposed Revisions to FAR Part 34 Signal Stronger Emphasis on Innovation, Competition, and Earned Value Oversight in Major System Acquisitions
The proposed rewrite of FAR Part 34 emphasizes mission-based acquisition, expanded use of Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), and integration of Title III Defense Production Act resources. While not yet adopted, these changes signal a shift toward performance accountability in major system procurements. Contractors should begin preparing now.
Proposed Changes to FAR Part 1 Signal a Shift in Federal Procurement Philosophy
Proposed changes to FAR Part 1, released May 2, 2025, emphasize acquisition workforce empowerment, risk management, and industry engagement. Although not yet adopted, these updates could significantly impact how federal contractors compete and perform. Learn what these revisions could mean for your business strategy.
GAO Urges NRC Action on Radiological Security, Cost Estimates, and Climate Risks
GAO’s May 2025 report highlights nine priority recommendations to the NRC focused on radioactive material security, cost estimate reliability, and climate change data integration. The report underscores risks of inaction and urges legislative oversight to improve public safety and regulatory effectiveness.
GAO Denies Lockheed Martin’s OCI Protest in TOC-L Competition
The GAO denied Lockheed Martin’s protest of the Air Force’s TOC-L procurement, finding no unreasonable conflict of interest by SAIC and affirming the solicitation allowed fair competition. This decision reinforces the high threshold for overturning agency OCI determinations.
Governing in the Age of AI: A Call to Reimagine Local Government
A new report by the Tony Blair Institute outlines how AI can revolutionize local government services in the UK, unlocking billions in productivity and transforming public service delivery for the 21st century.
Unlocking Innovation While Protecting National Security: DoD’s New Intellectual Property Guidebook
The DoD’s 2025 Intellectual Property Guidebook outlines how acquisition professionals can balance innovation, competition, and national security through strategic IP planning and rights management across the defense acquisition lifecycle.
Strengthening Patent Quality: GAO Urges USPTO to Rebalance Efficiency and Rigor
A new GAO report calls on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reassess its examination and quality procedures, citing longstanding challenges that may undermine patent validity, examiner performance, and public confidence in innovation.
Defense Manufacturing Maturity: Key Takeaways from the 2025 MRL Deskbook
The 2025 MRL Deskbook offers essential best practices for evaluating manufacturing readiness in defense acquisitions. This guide helps prime contractors reduce risk, align with DoD expectations, and improve production outcomes using the standardized MRL framework.
GAO Examines Potential Variables for New Highway Funding Formulas
GAO's May 2025 report explores variables for new federal highway formula grant programs, identifying 27 supported metrics and assessing available federal data, while highlighting challenges and stakeholder preferences.
Fishery Disaster Relief Program Struggles With Delays Despite Legislative Reform
A new GAO report reveals that while legislative reforms have aimed to improve the timeliness of fishery disaster assistance, the National Marine Fisheries Service still faces long processing times, staffing shortfalls, and communication gaps. These issues delay recovery efforts for communities hit by marine disasters.
The Persistent Shadow of Bad Public Policy
Explore Bad Public Policy by Howlett, Leong, and Legrand—a powerful critique of policy failures driven by malign intent, non-compliance, and institutional flaws. This essential analysis urges a shift from naïve optimism to vigilant, values-based policy design. A must-read for understanding the risks behind today’s public policy decisions.
GAO Report Highlights Gaps in HHS Oversight of Human Genomic Data Security
A new GAO report reveals that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must improve its tracking of foreign testing entities and enforcement of security measures to protect Americans' genomic data from national security risks.
GAO Denies Protest Over USDA's Strict Formatting Rejection in RiverNorth Case
GAO denies RiverNorth’s protest after USDA rejected its proposal for violating font size formatting rules. The ruling stresses the importance of strict RFQ compliance and clarifies what does and does not constitute unequal treatment or required SBA referral.
GAO Highlights GSA’s Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Inflation Reduction Act Funds
GAO’s April 2025 report reveals that while GSA has made progress in using Inflation Reduction Act funds for sustainability projects, significant improvements are needed in project selection frameworks, performance tracking, and transparency.
GAO Dismisses 4K Global-ACC JV's Request for Reconsideration on PLA Protest
The GAO dismissed 4K Global-ACC JV’s request for reconsideration of a protest related to a PLA requirement, emphasizing that new court decisions issued after a protest ruling do not establish errors of fact or law warranting reversal.
GAO Finds State Department Must Improve Civilian Harm Response for U.S. Arms Transfers
The GAO’s April 2025 report reveals that the State Department’s civilian harm tracking process for U.S. arms transfers is incomplete and understaffed, risking gaps in accountability and human rights protections.