<FONT SIZE=2>Responding to complaints from small business executives, two federal agencies are working to close a loophole in the General Services Administration's multiple-award contracts, including GSA schedules, that has allowed some large contractors to win contracts set aside for small businesses. </FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>	The Social Security Administration plans to issue a request for quotation for a contractor for quarterly national change of address processing and locatable address conversion system processing to the agency's master beneficiary record. The work would be for a year, beginning either Feb. 1, 2003, or the date of award. There are also four one-year options. The agency seeks quotations only from contractors licensed by the U.S. Postal Service to provide these services. The RFQ is scheduled for release Nov. 19, with quotations due Nov. 25. Request the RFQ via fax at (410) 966-9310, by e-mail andrew.klimas@SSA.gov, or by mail at Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Attn: Andrew Klimas, 1710 Gwynn Oak Ave., Baltimore, MD 21207-5279. Refer to NCOA RFQ. The agency will not respond to telephone requests.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>	The State Department's Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office is seeking information from industry regarding secure dial-in access. This is not a request for proposals, and a solicitation is not available. The request for information is available at www.statebuy.gov. Responses must be received Dec. 6.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>	The FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division in Clarksburg, W.Va., is looking for competitive sources for converting paper fingerprint cards into electronic format for its Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System. Interested parties should respond with a capabilities statement. At this time, only prime contractor interest is solicited. The full requirement is available at FedBizOpps.gov, under Solicitation No. 0020073. Responses are due Dec. 9.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>Federal government spending on information technology will total more than $74 billion in fiscal 2003, according to a forecast by an IT trade association.</FONT>
There's something many companies selling products or services in the commercial marketplace don't know: If they sell a product or service to a government contractor, they'll likely be considered a government subcontractor and, therefore, may be subject to certain statutes and regulations -- even if they have not entered into a specific contract with the government contractor to perform work related to the prime contract.
<FONT SIZE=2>	The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command intends to release a request for proposal for a contract for Po Sheng Program Systems Integration. This is a foreign military sales program to provide enhanced command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for Taiwan Air, Sea, Land and Joint Defense platforms and command and operations centers. The contract is for one year and six one-year options. Only companies holding a current Defense Department confidential or higher facility security clearance or appropriately cleared Taiwan companies may obtain and respond to the prospective solicitation. Details can be found at www.fedbizopps<BR>
<FONT SIZE=2>George Mason University is sponsoring a seminar at the Fairfax, Va., campus on performance-based services acquisition, including benefits and challenges and lessons learned. The daylong course includes application of techniques to requirements generation, statement of work preparation, source selection and post-award performance assessment. The Nov. 14 seminar will cover recent performance management initiatives and upcoming changes in government policies. Contact Mary McGuire at (703) 277-7757 or mmcguir3@gmu.edu.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>	The Air Force Space Command is seeking operations, maintenance and logistical support for the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Characterization System at Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D. The work includes communications electronics, supply, transportation and vehicle maintenance, civil engineering and calibration. The contract is for one year with four one-year options. More information can be found at www<BR>
The federal information technology marketplace will be filled with contract opportunities during the next two years, but contractors seeking success in the rapidly growing market must focus on meeting individual agencies' needs rather than selling their own strengths.</FONT>
The Senate has given its final approval to a bill that would provide $3.9 billion to states to upgrade voting equipment and make other improvements to the election process.
<FONT SIZE=2>Since Unisys Corp. announced Aug. 19 that it won the $1 billion Information Technology Management Services contract to create the IT infrastructure for the Transportation Security Administration, the company has been inundated with proposals from vendors interested in slicing off their own piece of the pie.</FONT>
Questions frequently arise, particularly among subcontractors asked to provide proprietary technology to government prime contractors, about conflicts of interest between the prime contractor's role as contractor and its role in helping define the agency's requirements.
<FONT SIZE=2>The Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground wants a small business contractor to provide IT support services for tenant activities. This would be a five-year contract, including approximately 166 information management personnel. Multiple agencies will use the contract, which is expected to start in August 2003. The contractor will provide support in several areas, including graphics and desktop publishing, IT infrastructure support, data management and application development. Small businesses interested in the opportunity should submit a capability statement. If enough respond, the acquisition may be made a 100 percent set-aside. Responses are due Nov. 8. For more information, refer to solicitation No. W81W2522467805 at www.FedBizOpps.gov.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Federal Bureau of Prisons has released a solicitation for computer support services for the National Institute of Corrections in Longmont, Colo. Services include onsite technical support and assistance for installation and configuration, integration, repair work, network management and troubleshooting for IT resources. The period of performance will be one year with four one-year options. The contract is a small business set-aside. Details of the request for proposal can be found at www.FedBizOpps.gov, solicitation no. RFP-JADP-042. Responses are due Nov. 1.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Air Force Research Laboratory needs software research and development work to develop information technology and systems that may be used to defend the United States, deployed forces and allies against air, space, surface and subsurface threats. Interested companies must provide the contracting office with a letter of interest no later than Oct. 23. The solicitation is scheduled for release Nov. 20. For more information, go to www.FedBizOpps.
