• About
  • What is Contract Management?
  • What is NCMA?
  • Leadership
  • Staff
  • CM Code of Ethics
  • Advocacy
  • Corporate Sponsors
• Events
  • Calendar of Events
  • Conferences
  • Previous Events
• Professional Development
  • Learn
  • Certification
  • CM Leadership Development Program
  • Education Partners
• Jobs
  • Job Seekers
  • Recruiters
  • Career Library
• Membership
  • Join
  • Member Benefits
  • Professional Connections
  • FAQs
  • Chapters
  • Awards and Recognition
  • Members Only
• Publications and News
  • News
  • CM Magazine
  • Journal of Contract Management
  • CM E-Newsletter
  • Research Articles Database
  • NCMA Books
  • Macfarlan Writing Program

• News
• CM Magazine
• Journal of Contract Management
• CM E-Newsletter
• Research Articles Database
• NCMA Books
• Macfarlan Writing Program

• Legislative and Regulatory Alerts
• Press Releases

Legislative Alerts

2013

April

• DOD Creates Checklist for Certified Cost or Pricing Data — April 9, 2013
  On March 28, 2013, DOD issued a final rule amending the Defense FAR Supplement by adding a proposal adequacy checklist for proposals submitted in response to solicitations that require the submission of certified cost or pricing data.

• DOD Creates DOD-Specific eSRS Procedures — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, DOD issued a final rule amending the Defense FAR Supplement to provide DOD-specific procedures and policies for the Electronic Subtracting Reporting System (eSRS), a system used by the government to collect data on the use of subcontractors.

• DOD Issues Notice that it has Discontinued Accelerated Payments to Contractors — April 9, 2013
  On February 25, 2013, DOD issued a notice that it has discontinued its temporary practice of providing contractors with accelerated payments.

• DOD Proposes to Clarify That Certain Fringe Benefits Are Unallowable Costs — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, DOD issued a proposed rule to revise Defense FAR Supplement 231.205-6(m) to explicitly state that fringe benefits costs that are contrary to law, employer-employee agreements, or an established policy of the contractor are unallowable.

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Extend Authority to Use Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Certain Commercial Items — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, DOD, GSA, and NASA issued a final rule pushing back the “sunset” date for Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.5’s test program allowing for the use of simplified acquisition procedures for the procurement of certain commercial items not exceeding $6.5 million in value.

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Issue Proposed Rule to Amend SBA Protest and Appeal Procedures — April 9, 2013
  On March 7, 2013, DOD, GSA, and NASA issued a proposed rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement SBA’s changes to protest and appeal procedures for small business size and small business status.

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Issue Proposed Rule to Clarify Contractor Duties Under the Defense Base Act — April 9, 2013
  On March 20, 2013, DOD, GSA, and NASA issued a proposed rule to clarify contractor and subcontractor responsibilities under the Defense Base Act.

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Provide Additional Guidance for Changing the Scope of Work for Time-and-Materials or Labor-Hour Contracts — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, DOD, GSA, and NASA issued a final rule to provide additional guidance for raising the ceiling price or otherwise changing the scope of work for time-and-materials or labor-hour contracts and orders.

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Revise the Definition of “Contingency Operation” — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, DOD, GSA, and NASA issued an interim rule to revise the definition of “contingency operation” to include instances when the secretary of defense activates reserves under 10 U.S.C. 12304a in order to provide assistance requested by a governor in response to a major disaster or emergency declared by the president.

• House Introduces Bill Requiring Price and Other Factors to be Weighed Equally in Evaluating Proposals — April 9, 2013
  On March 13, 2013, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) introduced a bill (H.R. 1109) regarding the relative weight to be given to cost or price versus other criteria when evaluating technical proposals.

• House Introduces Bill That Would Shift Performance of Certain Military Activities to Civilian Contractors — April 9, 2013
  On February 25, 2013, Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) introduced the “Smarter Than Sequester Defense Spending Reduction Act” (H.R. 804).

• House Introduces Bill to Authorize Best-Value Contracting Methods for Guard and Protective Service Contracts — April 9, 2013
  On February 14, 2013, Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL), along with several cosponsors, introduced the “Protecting Americans Abroad Act” (H.R. 731).

• House Introduces Bill to Create Government Waste Reduction Board — April 9, 2013
  On February 6, 2013, Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) introduced the “Government Waste Reduction Act” (H.R. 530).

• House Introduces Bill to Encourage Information-Sharing Regarding Cybersecurity Threats — April 9, 2013
  On February 13, 2013, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), along with cosponsor Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), introduced the “Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act” (CISPA) (H.R. 624).

• House Introduces Bill to Exempt DOD from Sequestration Cuts — April 9, 2013
  On February 15, 2013, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) introduced legislation (H.R. 773) that would amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to exclude DOD from any budget cuts carried out under sequestration.

• House Introduces Bill to Place Bureau of Labor Statistics in Charge of Determining Prevailing Wage Rates — April 9, 2013
  On February 1, 2013, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced the “Responsibility in Federal Contracting Act” (H.R. 448).

• House Introduces Bill to Prevent Contracting With Companies That Have Seriously Delinquent Federal Tax Debts — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced the “Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2013” (H.R. 882).

• House Introduces Bill to Provide Contracting Preference for “Patriot Corporations” — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced legislation (H.R. 929) that would provide federal contracting preferences and reduced income tax rates for any corporation designated as a “Patriot Corporation.”

• House Introduces Bill to Repeal Wage Requirements for Federally Funded Highway and Public Transportation Construction Projects — April 9, 2013
  On February 14, 2013, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), along with several cosponsors, introduced the “Highway Trust Fund Reform Act” (H.R. 711).

• House Passes Bill Allowing Contracting Officers to Consider Job Creation and Retention Information When Awarding Contracts — April 9, 2013
  On March 21, 2013, Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) introduced the “American Jobs Matter Act of 2013” (H.R. 1332).

• Senate Introduces Bill to Extend SDVOSB Preferences to Surviving Spouses of Service Members — April 9, 2013
  On February 28, 2013, Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the “Veterans Small Business Protection Act” (S. 430).

• Senate Introduces Bill to Improve Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses — April 9, 2013
  On February 7, 2013, Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced the “Assuring Contracting Equity (ACE) Act” (S. 259).

• Senate and House Introduce Companion Bills to Limit Insourcing — April 9, 2013
  On March 12, 2013, four senators and 20 representatives introduced companion bills in the Senate and the House titled the “Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2013” (S. 523; H.R. 1072).

February

• Senate Introduces Bill to Provide for Automatic Continuing Resolutions — February 11, 2013
  On January 22, 2013, Sen. Robert Portman (R-OH) introduced the “End Government Shutdowns Act” (S. 29).

January

• Senate Introduces Bill to Restrict Exceptions to Full And Open Competition Requirements Following a Natural Disaster — January 24, 2013
  On January 24, 2013, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the “Natural Disaster Fairness in Contracting Act” (S. 99).

• Senate Introduces Bill to Restrict Contracting after a National Disaster to Local Firms — January 23, 2013
  On January 23, 2013, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the “Local Disaster Contracting Fairness Act” (S. 98).

• DOD Aligns References to “Cost or Pricing Data” With Previous FAR Amendment — January 18, 2013
  On December 31, 2012, DOD issued a final rule amending the DFARS to align the DFARS with previous FAR amendments.

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Propose to Require Prime Contractors to Make Accelerated Payments to their Small Business Subcontractors — January 18, 2013
  On December 19, 2010, DOD, GSA, and NASA issued a proposed rule regarding accelerated payments to small business subcontractors.

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Require Successor Contractors to Offer Right of First Refusal to Predecessor Employees — January 18, 2013
  On December 21, 2012, DOD, GSA, and NASA issued a final rule amending the FAR.

• DOE Implements Administrative Changes to the DEAR — January 18, 2013
  On December 13, 2012, DOE issued a final rule implementing administrative changes to the DEAR.

• Department of Agriculture Proposes to Amend Guidelines for Providing Federal Procurement Preferences for Biobased Products — January 18, 2013
  On December 5, 2012, the Department of Agriculture issued a notice of proposed rulemaking amending the Guidelines for Designating Biobased Products for Federal Procurement.

• Department of the Treasury Issues Notice Setting Prompt Payment Interest Rate — January 18, 2013
  On December 28, 2012, the Department of the Treasury issued a notice setting the prompt payment interest rate at 1 3/8 percent per year.

• GSA Proposes to Clarify Use of Industrial Funding Fee — January 18, 2013
  On December 28, 2012, GSA issued a proposed rule amending the GSAR to more accurately reflect the current use of the “industrial funding fee.”

• HUD Implements Administrative Changes to the HUDAR — January 18, 2013
  On December 10, 2012, HUD issued a final rule implementing administrative changes to the HUDAR.

• House Introduces Bill Mandating Debarment Proposal for NLRA Violations — January 18, 2013
  On December 13, 2012, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) introduced the “Workers Solidarity Act of 2012” (H.R. 6668).

• House Introduces Comprehensive Foreign Assistance Reform Bill — January 18, 2013
  On December 11, 2012, Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Rep. Gerald Conolly (D-VA) introduced the “Global Partnerships Act of 2012” (H.R. 6644).

• President Signs Act Requiring DHS to Achieve Audit Readiness by September 2013 — January 18, 2013
  On December 20, 2012, President Barack Obama signed the “Department of Homeland Security Audit Requirement Target Act of 2012” (Pub. L. 112-217; S. 1998).

• Senate Introduces Bill Expanding HUBZone Coverage — January 18, 2013
  On December 12, 2012, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced the “HUBZone Expansion Act of 2012” (S. 3675).

• Senate Introduces Bill Mandating Agency Participation in the ICASS — January 18, 2013
  On December 12, 2012, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) introduced the “Reducing Duplication Overseas Act of 2012” (S. 3676).

• Senate Introduces Bill Requiring GAO to Include Most Common Sustainability Grounds in Annual Congressional Report — January 18, 2013
  On December 19, 2012, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) introduced the “Government Contracting Improvement Act of 2012” (S. 3690).

• Senate Passes Bill Authorizing Fiscal Year 2013 DOD Appropriations — January 18, 2013
  On December 21, 2012, the Senate passed the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013” (H.R. 4310).

• Senate Passes Bill to Curb Improper Payments — January 18, 2013
  On December 20, 2012, the Senate passed the House’s version of the “Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act” (H.R. 4053) without amendments.

• HHS Proposes to Address Patent and Data Rights of the Government — January 10, 2013
  On January 10, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule to amend its Federal Acquisition Regulation supplement, the HHS Acquisition Regulation, to add two clauses, “Patent Rights—Exceptional Circumstances” and “Rights in Data—Exceptional Circumstances,” and their prescriptions.

• House Introduces Bill to Consolidate Overlapping Government Programs — January 1, 2013
  On January 1, 2013, Rep. John Abney Culberson (R-TX) introduced a bill “to save at least $10,000,000,000 by consolidating some duplicative and overlapping government programs” (H.R. 6729).

2012

December

• DOD Issues Final Rule Adding Poland to the Qualifying Countries List — December 31, 2012
  On December 31, 2012, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a final rule that amended the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to add the Republic of Poland as a qualifying country.

• DOD Issues Final Rule to Accommodate Updates to Contracting Activities — December 31, 2012
  On December 31, 2012, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to revise the definitions of contracting activity and departments and agencies found at DFARS 202.101.

October

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Clarify the Proposed Regulations Regarding Use of Existing Mandatory/Nonmandatory Sources — October 1, 2012
  

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Propose to Conform to the New Codified Version of U.S.C. Title 41 — October 1, 2012
  

• DOD, GSA, and NASA Propose to Provide Governmentwide Standardized Past Performance Evaluation Factors and Rating Categories — October 1, 2012
  

• DOT Proposes to Update Regulations Governing Procurement, Management, and Administration of Engineering- and Design-Related Services Related to Highway Construction Projects — October 1, 2012
  

• House Introduces Bill to Encourage Contractor Employees to Report Misconduct Related to the Use of Federal Funds — October 1, 2012
  

• House Introduces Bill to Halt Sequestration and Prevent Cuts to Defense Spending for 10 Years — October 1, 2012
  

• House Introduces Bill to Protect Private-Sector Whistleblowers Against Retaliation — October 1, 2012
  

• House Introduces Bill to Reduce the Amount of Space Leased and Owned by the Federal Government — October 1, 2012
  

• House Passes Bill to Increase Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection — October 1, 2012
  

• House Passes Bill to Stop the Sequester Process and Eliminate Cuts to Defense Spending — October 1, 2012
  

• President Signs Act Providing Appropriations for Continuing Projects and Activities of the Federal Government through March 27, 2013 — October 1, 2012
  

• SBA Revises Small Business Size Standards for NAICS Sector 61: “Educational Services Industries” — October 1, 2012
  

• SBA Revises Small Business Size Standards for NAICS Sector 62, “Healthcare and Social Assistance Industries” — October 1, 2012
  

• Senate Introduces Bill Ensuring Sufficient Sizing of DOD Work Forces — October 1, 2012
  

• Senate Introduces Bill Expanding the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 — October 1, 2012
  

• Senate Passes Bill to Prevent Abuse of Government Charge Cards — October 1, 2012
  

2011

November

• Administering Trafficking in Persons Regulations — November 18, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to add to the list of contract administration functions a requirement to maintain surveillance over contractor compliance with duties and responsibilities pertaining to trafficking in persons when they are incorporated in contracts.

• DoD Issues Final Rule for Responsibility and Liability for Government Property — November 18, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to extend the Government self-insurance policy to Government property provided under negotiated fixed-price contracts that are awarded on a basis other than submission of certified cost or pricing data.

• DoD Issues Final Rule to Accelerate Small Business Payments — November 18, 2011
  DoD is adopting as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to accelerate payments to all small business concerns.

• Extension of Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Pilot Program — November 18, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to extend the date for submittal of applications under the DoD Mentor-Protégé Pilot Program for new mentor-protégé agreements and the date mentors may incur costs and/or receive credit towards fulfilling their small business subcontracting goals through an approved mentor- protégé agreement.

• Fire-Resistant Fiber for Production of Military Uniforms — November 18, 2011
  DoD is adopting as final, with changes, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 that prohibits specification of the use of fire-resistant rayon fiber in solicitations issued before January 1, 2015.

• Management of Manufacturing Risk in Major Defense Acquisition Programs — November 18, 2011
  DoD is adopting as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to implement a section of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 requiring appropriate consideration of the manufacturing readiness and manufacturing-readiness processes of potential contractors and subcontractors as a part of the source selection process for major defense acquisition programs.

• Notification Requirements for Awards of Single-Source Task- or Delivery-Order Contracts — November 18, 2011
  DoD is adopting as final, with changes, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to implement the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 regarding the notification requirements to Congress when awarding a single-award task- or delivery-order contract in excess of $103 million.

• Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials — November 18, 2011
  DoD is amending the DFARS to require offerors to represent whether former DoD officials who are employees of the offeror are in compliance with post-employment restrictions.

• Simplified Acquisition Threshold for Humanitarian or Peacekeeping Operations — November 18, 2011
  DoD is adopting as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the statutory authority to invoke a simplified acquisition threshold that is two times the normal amount to support a humanitarian or peacekeeping operation.

• Transition to the System for Award Management — November 18, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement for the transition of the Integrated Acquisition Environment systems to the new System for Award Management architecture.

• Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-54 Issued — November 17, 2011
  This summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by DoD, GSA, and NASA in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-54.

• Small Business Size Standards: Educational Services — November 15, 2011
  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) proposes to increase small business size standards for nine industries in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sector 61, Educational Services.

October

• DoD to Hold Public Meeting on Proposed Rule for Reporting of Government-Furnished Property — October 19, 2011
  DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to revise and expand reporting requirements for Government-furnished property to include items uniquely and non-uniquely identified and clarify policy for contractor access to Government supply sources.

• Proposed Rule for Privacy Training — October 14, 2011
  DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require contractors to complete training that addresses the protection of privacy, in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, and the handling and safeguarding of personally identifiable information.

• Committee Approves Legislation to Repeal 3 Percent Withholding Rule and Modify the Income Definition for Certain Health Care Programs — October 13, 2011
  Today, the Committee on Ways and Means favorably reported out two bills: H.R. 647, sponsored by Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), to repeal the 3 percent withholding rule on certain payments made to vendors by government entities and H.R. 2576, sponsored by Rep. Diane Black (R-TN), to align the income definition for certain health programs to more closely reflect how it is measured in other federal means tested programs.

September

• DoD Reopens Comment Period on Proposed Rule for Only One Offer Received — September 27, 2011
  DoD is proposing to amend the Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS) to address acquisitions using competitive procedures in which only one offer is received.

• DoD Issues Final Rule for Construction and Architect-Engineer Services Performance Evaluation — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to remove the requirement to use DoD-unique forms to prepare contractor performance evaluations for construction and architect-engineer services.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Alternative Line Item Structure — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to establish a standard procedure for offerors to propose an alternative line item structure that reflects the offeror's business practices for selling and billing commercial items and initial provisioning spares for weapon systems.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Annual Representations and Certifications — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to conform it to higher-level changes in the Code of Federal Regulation relating to annual representations and certifications.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Designation of a Contracting Officer's Representative — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to clarify that a contracting officer's representative must be an employee, military or civilian, of the U.S. Government, a foreign government, or a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)/coalition partner, and that contractor personnel shall not serve as contracting officer's representatives.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Discussions Prior to Contract Award — September 20, 2011
  DoD is amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to strongly encourage discussions prior to award for source selections of procurements estimated at $100 million or more.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Material Inspection and Receiving Report — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Appendix F, Material Inspection and Receiving Report, to incorporate new procedures for using the electronic Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) Receiving Report.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Multiyear Contracting — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update and clarify the requirements for multiyear contracting.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Passive Radio Frequency Identification — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update requirements relating to the use of passive radio frequency identification (RFID).

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Presumption of Development Exclusively at Private Expense — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to implement sections of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 and 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, including special requirements and procedures related to the validation of a contractor's or subcontractor's asserted restrictions on technical data and computer software.

• DoD Issues Rule on Ships Bunkers Easy Acquisition (SEA) Card and Aircraft Ground Services — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to allow the use of U.S. Government fuel cards in lieu of a Purchase Order-Invoice-Voucher for fuel, oil, and refueling-related items for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

• Positive Law Codification of Title 41 U.S.C. — September 20, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to conform references throughout the DFARS to the new Codification of Title 41, United States Code, "Public Contracts."

• Defense Issues Interim Rule on Award Fee Reduction or Denial for Health or Safety Issues — September 16, 2011
  DoD is issuing an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement those sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) for Fiscal Years (FY) 2011 and 2010 providing increased statutory authorities to reduce or deny award fees to companies found to jeopardize the health or safety of Government personnel and adding a mechanism to decrease or eliminate a contractor's award fee for a specific performance period.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Display of DoD Inspector General Fraud Hotline Posters — September 16, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to require contractors to display the DoD fraud hotline poster in common work areas.

• DoD Issues Final Rule to Increase the Use of Fixed-Price Incentive (Firm Target) Contracts — September 16, 2011
  

• Proposed Rule on Constitutionality of Federal Contracting Programs for Minority-Owned and Other Small Businesses — September 9, 2011
  DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to address the impact of the decision in Rothe Development Corporation vs. the DoD and the U.S. Department of the Air Force (USAF) on small disadvantaged business concerns and certain institutions of higher education.

• FAA Issues New Procedures for Protests and Contracts Dispute — September 7, 2011
  This action updates, simplifies, and streamlines the current regulations governing the procedures for bid protests brought against the FAA and contract disputes brought against or by the FAA.

August

• Labor Issues Final Rule on Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts — August 29, 2011
  In this final rule, the Department of Labor (Department or DOL) issues final regulations to implement Executive Order 13495, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts.

• DoD Extends Comments Period for Proposed New Rule for Safeguarding Unclassified DoD Information — August 22, 2011
  DoD published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on June 29, 2011 (76 FR 38089), with a request for comments by August 29, 2011.

• DoD Issues Final Rule for Identification of Critical Safety Items — August 19, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to add a contract clause that clearly identifies any items being purchased that are critical safety items so that the proper risk-based surveillance can be performed.

• DoD Issues Final Rule for Nonavailability Exception for Procurement of Hand or Measuring Tools — August 19, 2011
  DoD is adopting an interim rule as a final rule with minor changes. The interim rule implemented part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, which provides a domestic nonavailability exception to the requirement known as the Berry Amendment to acquire only domestic hand or measuring tools.

• DoD Issues Final Rule on Government Property — August 19, 2011
  DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) regarding Government Property, to reflect the recent revisions to Government Property elsewhere in the Code of Federal Regulations.

• DoD Issues Interim Rule for Contractors Performing Private Security Functions — August 19, 2011
  DoD is issuing an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, which establish minimum processes and requirements for the selection, accountability, training, equipping, and conduct of personnel performing private security functions.

• USAID Issues Proposed Rule for the Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID — August 19, 2011
  This proposed rule implements the statutory requirement that funds made available by the United States Congress (Congress) to USAID under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), be used for procurement in the United States (U.S.), the recipient country, or developing countries.

• GSA Revises Rules of Procedure of the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals--Electronic Filing of Documents — August 17, 2011
  This document revises the rules governing proceedings before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (Board).

• DoD Isuues Final Rule for Private Security Contractors (PSCs) Operating in Contingency Operations, Combat Operations or Other Significant Military Operations — August 11, 2011
  This Rule establishes policy, assigns responsibilities and provides procedures for the regulation of the selection, accountability, training, equipping, and conduct of personnel performing private security functions under a covered contract during contingency operations, combat operations or other significant military operations.

• DoD Policy for Privatized DoD — August 11, 2011
  Private Security Contractors (PSCs) Operating in Contingency Operations, Combat Operations or Other Significant Military Operations

• OFPP Issues Final Rule for Elimination of the Exemption From Cost Accounting Standards for Contracts and Subcontracts Executed and Performed Entirely Outside the United States, Its Territories, and Po — August 10, 2011
  The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Board, is publishing a final rule to eliminate the exemption from regulations regarding Cost Accounting Standards for contracts executed and performed entirely outside the United States, its territories, and possessions.

• NASA Implements Award Fee Language Revision — August 2, 2011
  NASA has adopted, without change, an interim final rule amending the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to implement the FAR Award Fee revision issued in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-46.

July

• Proposed Rule for Payments Under Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts — July 27, 2011
  DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to make necessary revisions to accommodate the authorization to use time-and-materials and labor-hour contract payment requirements.

June

• DOD: New Rule for defense Contractors Implemented on May 18th — June 2, 2011
  Are you aware of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) New Rule for defense contractors, implemented on May 18th, 2011 entitled Contractor Business Systems?

April

• Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act of 2011 — April 7, 2011
  The proposed legislation would create a government-wide acquisition management fellows program for the purpose of investing in the long-term improvement and sustained excellence of the Federal acquisition workforce. The objectives of the program would be to develop a new generation of acquisition leaders with government-wide perspective, skills, and experience, to recruit individuals with the outstanding academic merit, ethical value, business acumen, and leadership skills to meet the acquisition needs of the Federal Government, and to offer, upon completion of the program, opportunities for advancement, competitive compensation, and leadership opportunities at various executive agencies. The total number of individuals entering the program each year will be no more than 200. The bill also would establish a leadership development training program for Federal employees focused on core leadership and acquisition competencies. The purpose of the training program would be to foster the development of high performing individuals in the three core acquisition disciplines of contracting, program management, and cost estimating to serve as future acquisition leaders. The program objectives would be to develop a new generation of acquisition leaders in the three major acquisition disciplines currently in the Federal workforce in order to expand and improve the quality of the acquisition workforce, to develop high performing Federal employees in the three major acquisition disciplines to provide opportunities for advancement into leadership positions, and to enhance the ability to foster networking and understanding among the three major acquisition disciplines to achieve desired acquisition outcomes. The bill also plans appropriations totaling more than $48 million annually once the program is fully operational.

• Federal Acquisition Improvement Act of 2011 — April 7, 2011
  The 2011 Federal Acquisition Institute Improvement Act would require that the institute, through its board of directors, report directly to the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

2009

December

• Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act of 2009 — December 24, 2009
  A bill to improve the acquisition workforce through the establishment of an acquisition management fellows program.

• Federal Acquisition Institute Improvement Act of 2009 — December 24, 2009
  A bill to improve the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) enhancing its role in establishing government-wide acquisition training and ecrtification requirements and standards.

2008

October

• GSAR Case 2006-G510, Rewrite of GSAR Part 504, Administrative Matters — October 21, 2008
  GSA is proposing to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to revise the language regarding requirements for administrative matters.

• GSAR Case 2006-G515, Rewrite of Part 532, Contract Financing — October 21, 2008
  The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to revise and update the agency’s implementation of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contract financing policies. GSA has taken this opportunity to implement coverage for incremental funding of fixed-price, time-and-materials, and labor-hour contracts.

• GSAR Case 2007-G507, Describing Agency Needs — October 21, 2008
  The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to revise language regarding the requirements for describing the agency needs. The text addresses GSAR Part 511, Describing Agency Needs, Subpart 511.1, Selecting and Developing Requirements Documents, Subpart 511.2, Using and Maintaining Requirements Documents, Subpart 511.4, Delivery or Performance Schedules, Subpart 511.5, Liquidated Damages, and Subpart 511.6, Priorities and Allocations.

• GSAR Case 2008-G505, Rewrite of GSAR Part 514, Sealed Bidding — October 21, 2008
  The GSA is proposing to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to revise the GSAR language regarding requirements for sealed bidding.

September

• Lawmakers Chop Up Major Contracting Reform Legislation — September 5, 2008
  With time running out in this congressional session, a number of sweeping contracting reform bills are languishing on the back burner. Several significant pieces of acquisition legislation are stuck in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and their authors are attaching provisions to other bills in a last-ditch effort to address federal acquisition issues.

June

• Cooperative Purchasing Bill Close to Becoming Law — June 12, 2008
  The Senate has approved a bill that would allow state and local governments to purchase law enforcement, firefighting and security products and services through a General Services Administration supply schedule.

May

• Proposed Rule for Service Contractor Employee Personal Conflict of Interest (FAR Case 2007-17) — May 8, 2008
  The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (the Councils) are interested in determining if, when, and how service contractor employees' personal conflicts of interest (PCI) need to be addressed and whether greater disclosure of contractor practices, specific prohibitions, or reliance on specified principles would be most effective and efficient in promoting ethical behavior.

Join discussion >>

NCMA Resources | Advertise | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Site Map | © 2012 National Contract Management Association