DHS awards PACTS contract

The Homeland Security Department has awarded the $1.5 billion PACTS contract for professional services.

Beyond GWACs: Growing demand for fewer vehicles

Some readers want more GWACs to expire; others aren’t sure what the fuss is about.

IG: Coast Guard not recouping on NSCs

The Coast Guard is not pursuing recoupment for structural and technical problems identified in the National Security Cutter program, according to a new report from the DHS inspector general.

GSA officials take exception to our GWAC report: You decide

Commenters focus on headline, but the story remains: The era of governmentwide acquisition vehicles is coming to a close.

GSA contract expiration reflects market needs, experts say

GSA official says many GWACs won't be renewed as GSA markets its Alliant and Alliant Small Business contracts.

OFPP to clarify inherently governmental jobs in July

OFPP's clarification of the lines surrounding inherently governmental functions will take a more people-centered approach.

FCS to be replaced by smaller modernization efforts

The Future Combat System did not reflect the anti-insurgency lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an acquisition decision memorandum released June 23.

Senate hearing set on Alaska Native Corp. contracting

A Senate subcommittee plans to hold a hearing July 16 to further examine the increasing amount of money going to Alaska Native Corporations.

Deepwater gets new acquisition chief

The Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate has a new rear admiral in charge — Ronald Rábago.

Boeing delivers second WGS satellite to Air Force

Boeing Co. has handed off control of the second Wideband Global Satcom satellite to the Air Force, company officials said June 15.

Verizon gets GSA go ahead on MTIPS

Verizon Communications Inc. joins AT&T Inc., Qwest Communications Inc. and Sprint Solutions Inc. as a Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Service provider under the General Services Administration’s Networx telecommunications contract.

DOD requests $5.4B for unmanned systems budget

The Defense Department is seeking an increase of 18.4 percent, or $870 million, in funding for unmanned systems in fiscal 2010 over the amount spent for such systems in 2009, Defense Update reported.

Navy seeks cyber research proposals

The Office of Naval Research said today it plans to award more than $14.5 million for research on software engineering, networks, social networks and critical infrastructures.

Contractor needed to upgrade Recovery.gov

The oversight board for economic stimulus spending is looking for a vendor to create Version 2.0 of the Recovery.gov Web site.

Contract management systems broken in Iraq, Afghanistan, says commission

The Defense Department has too few trained acquisition employees to keep up with the increasingly expensive operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, commission states.

Virginia CIO ousted in contract dispute

The CIO of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency has been removed from his post in an apparent dispute with the newly installed Virginia Secretary of Technology.

DOD seeks commercial satellite guidance from industry

The Defense Department wants information from providers of commercial satellite services regarding their ability to support future military communications requirements.

Chopra calls RFP process ineffective for health IT

CTO Aneesh Chopra is seeking to improve innovation in government health IT by seeking new procurement channels to increase input from vendors, according to a research firm.

Report: Insourcing government work could be disasterous

Taking work from the private sector should be done deliberately and based on facts, not innuendo and rhetoric, according to a new report.

Deepwater can't shake DOJ's watchful eye

The Justice Department has declined to intervene to date but continues to examine allegations raised in the Deepwater False Claims Act lawsuit.