Purchases on the General Services Administration's Schedule 70 by state and local governments as well as public educational groups grew 7.5 percent in federal fiscal 2010 to $608 million, according to a new report from Input.
President Barack Obama's attempt to have businesses show whom they support politically goes against the intent of a merit-based procurement system by putting seemingly irrelevant information before the contracting officer, officials say.
The White House is considering how to require contractors to declare their political contributions when submitting a contract bid, according to a draft executive order.
The Government Accountability Office issued a decision in a bid protest by Qwest filed against an award by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Networx contract.
The Coast Guard acquisition unit might be setting itself up for disappointment because of its unrealistic forecast of a jump in available procurement dollars, a GAO official testified.
Charges of alleged bribery of a public official in connection with a kickback scandal involving millions of dollars in Navy funds have prompted the creation of a contract review board.
A GAO investigation of tax delinquents who travel on U.S. passports has uncovered the case of two State Department contractors who owe more than $100,000 in unpaid taxes.
GSA Administrator Martha Johnson tells anxious contractors that a government shutdown "would be a real disrupter" but the agency has had plans in place since the last shutdown in 1995 to ease the effects of any new closure.
Although President Barack Obama has repeatedly denounced a government shutdown in recent weeks, officials in his administration say they are cognizant that funding for the government expires April 8 and contingency plans are being prepared.
