<FONT SIZE=2>GSA's Federal Technology Service is seeking information on financial management software testing and benchmarking strategies that minimize costs to contractors and the government.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Defense Finance and Accounting Service wants to use the General Services Administration Schedule 70 to issue a time-and-materials order for the Defense Cash Accountability System. The procurement is restricted to small businesses, and DFAS anticipates the order will be for one year with four option years.</FONT>
While the Defense Department has undertaken the process of mapping its processes to an information architecture blueprint, its approach has been uneven, according to a General Accounting Office report.
Federal CIOs expect to outsource more information technology projects to the private sector during the coming year, especially in areas where agencies lack in-house resources or technical expertise, according to a new survey.
<FONT SIZE=2>The White House has proposed a far-reaching policy change that would require small businesses to recertify annually their eligibility for some contracts reserved for small business. </FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>Government health departments will be among the largest purchasers of homeland security solutions at the state and local level as the nation struggles to develop the capability to respond to biological terrorist attacks.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The January release of two proposed rules on contract bundling again draws attention to the debate over procurement strategies and their impact on small business. But the new rules are not the only manifestation of that focus. </FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The name is instantly recognizable, but Perot Systems Corp. isn't counting on its name to make a splash in the government market. Instead, the company is making acquisitions and winning new business as it tries to become a major provider of information technology services to the government.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The president's budget proposal for fiscal 2004 cuts funds for 25 cross-agency e-government projects by nearly 24 percent, to $173.9 million, not including investments by the Defense and Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be announced next month. Thirteen projects got more money, nine projects less and two held steady.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., plans to introduce a new version of his Services Acquisition Reform Act. Among its provisions, SARA would allow agencies to use time-and-materials and labor-hour contracts to buy services.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>Deirdre Lee, director of defense procurement and acquisition policy, said the General Accounting Office and Congress will be watching how Defense contracting officers implement Section 803. </FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Homeland Security Act of 2002 signed into law by President Bush in November also included provisions that make it easier for the federal government to procure anti-terrorism technology. These provisions were included in the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002, also known as the Safety Act, which was enacted as part of the Homeland Security Act.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Defense Information Systems Agency wants a contractor to provide systems engineering analysis, design and development, integration, maintenance and operational support services for Defense Department's public key infrastructure program management office.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Food and Drug Administration wants software that can scan narratives from a few sentences to a few paragraphs, recognize keywords and phrases and display them, and recommend correct or preferred terms for each word or phrase.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Transportation Department's inspector general is requesting proposals for a commercial electronic audit management system. It will help auditors and managers plan and organize audits, create and track documentation and assist in the audit's progression. The management system must also integrate with the automation operating system.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The State Department is moving to strengthen its global telecommunications network, as a looming war and threatened terrorist attacks create an urgent need for reliable communications.</FONT>
<FONT SIZE=2>The Bush administration appears determined to make good on its promise to help small businesses. Earlier this month, Angela Styles, administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, announced a proposal that would eliminate a procurement loophole that allows large companies to win contracts reserved for small businesses.</FONT>
