Congress Moves to Replace CPARS Ratings with Objective “Negative-Only” Scores
Congress is moving to replace subjective DoD CPARS narratives with an objective, “negative-only” scoring system that documents material performance failures, normalizes scores by contract volume, and requires rapid contractor rebuttals. Supporters see clarity and reduced workload; critics warn of due-process risks if disputes are still pending.
GAO’s UCIG Decision Reaffirms Hard Deadlines and Treats Pre-Submission Vetting as a Material Requirement
GAO’s UCIG decision (B-423682) reinforces strict protest timeliness and clarifies that clearly drafted pre-submission approvals like JCCS can be treated as material solicitation requirements, not post-award responsibility checks. It also narrows hopes for the “significant issue” exception, distinguishing Pernix’s impossibility scenario from routine compliance terms.
2025 Review of How Federal Programs Support Vulnerable Communities’ Water Systems
GAO’s August 2025 report finds EPA, FEMA, and USDA provided $35B in grants and $29B in loans for water infrastructure (FY2014–2023) but urges better measurement of who benefits, clearer FEMA cost-share communication, and wider use of EPA service-area maps to target vulnerable communities and strengthen disaster resilience.
Shrinkflation in America: GAO’s Findings on Trends, Consumer Behavior, and Policy Options
GAO’s July 2025 report on shrinkflation finds minimal impact on overall inflation but significant effects in products like paper goods and cereal. The study examines consumer behavior, transparency challenges, and policy options—from labeling requirements to unit pricing—to address downsizing and its effect on household budgets.
the Promise and Pitfalls of AI in State and Local Government
This blog explores how state and local governments can responsibly integrate AI by grounding initiatives in public values, engaging communities, adopting tiered governance, collaborating across jurisdictions, building internal capacity, and ensuring continuous oversight—guided by the 2025 consultation by Ghani, Langston, McNeese, and Venkatasubramanian.
GAO Denies WFL Protest and Applies Stricter Pleading Standard Under FY2025 NDAA (Footnote 3)
GAO denied Warfighter Focused Logistics’ protest over a DLA tire cross chains award, reinforcing strict timeliness rules, reliance on past performance data, and a heightened pleading standard requiring credible, evidence-backed allegations under the FY2025 NDAA.
GAO Rarely Sustains Protests—But When It Does, It Matters: emissary LLC Prevails Against WHS
The GAO issued a rare sustained protest in emissary LLC v. WHS, criticizing serious flaws in the agency’s evaluation and award decision. This rare victory underscores the importance of strict compliance with solicitation terms in federal procurement—and the value of the protest process as an accountability tool.
FAA’s Funding Windfall Triggers Procurement Surge — But Can the Agency Keep Up?
In a blog post based on Terry Gerton’s Federal News Network article, we explore how Congress has already provided $12.5 billion to the FAA, with FY 2026 proposals ranging from $22 billion to $23 billion. Will the agency’s procurement systems scale effectively amid leadership changes, aging infrastructure, and pressure to modernize? The stakes couldn’t be higher.
GAO Denies Protest by 1st SBC Solutions over Treasury IT Services Award to Agovx
GAO denies 1st SBC’s protest over an IRS IT task order award to Agovx. Key issues included discussions fairness, compliance with RFP instructions, price realism, and past performance. The ruling reinforces best-value discretion and the need for showing prejudice.
Centering Community Input in Government Tech Decisions
This blog post summarizes Gear Shift by Data & Society, which argues for early-stage community input in public sector tech procurement. The authors call for a reimagined procurement process that centers community voices before decisions are made.
Panel Lays Out the Case for Cybersecurity Regulation Harmonization
GAO’s July 2025 report captures industry frustration with the maze of federal cybersecurity rules. Twelve critical-infrastructure leaders told GAO that overlapping mandates waste money, time, and talent, while small firms bear outsized costs. Limited harmonization progress exists, but hopes ride on CIRCIA and calls for a single authoritative agency, unified reporting, NIST-aligned standards, and safe-harbor incentives.
The Surge: How Federal Agencies Are Adopting and Managing Generative AI
GAO’s July 2025 report reveals how federal agencies are rapidly adopting generative AI, with use cases surging ninefold in one year. The report outlines key benefits, challenges in privacy, procurement, and workforce, and agency efforts to implement responsible policies under evolving OMB mandates.
The Return of the 8(a) Bona Fide Place of Business Requirement
The SBA’s moratorium on the 8(a) bona fide place of business requirement will end October 1, 2025. This blog post summarizes the reinstated rule, its implications for 8(a) construction contractors, and what steps firms must take to remain eligible.
GAO Grants Protest Costs to Delphinus Due to Navy’s Flawed Best-Value Tradeoff
GAO grants Delphinus Engineering reimbursement of protest costs after Navy’s flawed best-value tradeoff decision; highlights importance of accurate source selection and prompt corrective action.
How AI Can Deepen Democracy and Unlock Public Wisdom
This blog post is a summary of the article “How AI Can Unlock Public Wisdom and Revitalize Democratic Governance” by Rahmin Sarabi, published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on July 22, 2025. The views expressed herein are those of the original author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie or its affiliates. This summary is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, policy, or investment advice.
DOT’s Air Cargo Blind Spots: GAO Urges Data Transparency and Infrastructure Focus to Support Growing Sector
The GAO's July 2025 report finds that DOT's failure to assess and communicate limitations in air cargo data hampers planning and safety, while aging infrastructure and lack of stakeholder outreach threaten efficiency. Learn what the GAO recommends for improving U.S. air cargo operations.
Why the Christian Doctrine Doesn’t Apply to Subcontracts—and the Danger of “Self-Deleting” Clauses
Many subcontractors mistakenly assume federal clauses automatically apply under the Christian Doctrine. This blog post clarifies why that belief is incorrect, what the Christian Doctrine actually covers, and why “self-deleting clauses” are a dangerous myth in subcontract risk management. Know what governs your contract—and what doesn’t.
Report Warns Federal EV Charger Programs Lack Performance Oversight
GAO’s July 2025 report finds that federal EV charging programs lack adequate performance goals, with only 384 chargers built despite $7.5B in funding. The Joint Office and DOT must improve tracking and transparency to ensure future success.
Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Costs: Size Matters, Burden Differs
GAO’s June 2025 report GAO-25-107500 reveals that Sarbanes-Oxley section 404 compliance costs scale higher in dollars for big firms but hit smaller public companies harder proportionally, with audit fees spiking 13 percent when firms lose their exemption. Exemptions free cash but correlate with weaker controls and more restatements, raising investor-confidence questions.
GAO Pushes Back on Protest Cost Penalties but Proposes Stricter Standards
GAO’s response to Section 885 of the FY2025 NDAA rejects protest cost penalties, proposes new pleading standards, and warns Congress of unintended harm to small businesses and competition.