In recent years, the term due diligence has become part of the acquisition lexicon. Ideally, it describes the process and period during which competitors learn in detail about an agency's needs and practices before they propose solutions. It involves greater information sharing and more open communications by government agencies.
The Defense Department generally is doing a good job of using commercial best practices for implementing outsourcing programs, but it needs a framework for sharing lessons learned, according to a General Accounting Office report.
	Small businesses that receive a multiple-award contract will have to annually certify that they continue to meet the size standard for a small business, according to a proposed rule published by the Small Business Administration in the Federal Register April 25.
The Defense Department's Business Opportunities Web site will shut down by the end of fiscal 2004 and its functions will be transferred to the Federal Business Opportunities site, www.fedbizopps.gov.
When it became clear a few months ago that the approaching conflict in Iraq might endanger some Anteon International Corp. employees working for government customers overseas, Pat Dawson started investigating how those employees' insurance coverage would be affected by war.
Recently proposed procurement rules could dramatically increase competition for information system services under the General Services Administration's federal supply schedules and blanket purchase agreements. The new rules, proposed April 18 by the Defense and Civilian Acquisition Councils, would make it more difficult for procurement officials to limit competition for services contracts to incumbents, and may increase the opportunities for new entrants.
	The Commerce Department's Office of Acquisition Management plans to release a request for proposal in June for the Commerce Information Technology Solutions Next Generation, or COMMITS NexGen, contract.
	The Navy wants services for the Naval Tactical Command Support System, including design, development, integration, implementation, Web-enabling and life-cycle support management systems. The contractor will perform research, evaluation, design, development, life-cycle maintenance, systems integration, tools evaluation, training, technical writing and desktop publishing services.
	The Army Communications and Electronics Command needs contractors to provide engineering and technical support services for the design and integration of anti-terrorism and force protection systems in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area. Companies must provide engineering and technical support services for command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems. Capabilities include planning, development, design, procurement, site preparation and installation. Details can be found on www.fedbizopps<BR>
The much-anticipated request for proposals for the Army's $800 million Information Technology Enterprise Solutions contract was released early this month after several weeks of delay.
When Harris Corp. won the Federal Aviation Administration Telecommunications Infrastructure contract last July, it was another sign of how the systems integration and telecommunications markets are converging. And it appears, at least for now, the systems integrators are gaining the upper hand.
Because of commercial interest in developing a telecommunications infrastructure in Iraq, the State Department says a telecom pact will not be among the postwar reconstruction contracts it is awarding.
When Washington Technology published its first Top 100 list of federal IT contractors in 1994, a Democrat was in office, defense budgets were shrinking and the Internet was just emerging as a business tool.
In the last six months, the Bush administration has warmed up to many of the provisions in Rep. Tom Davis' Services Acquisition Reform Act, and Davis is moving the bill quickly through the legislative process.
Richard Notebaert, chairman and chief executive officer of Qwest Communications International Inc., has been appointed a member of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
