Government Contracts Monitor

Department of Defense Issues New Source Selection Procedures

The Department of Defense has issued new Source Selection Procedures.  These procedures are effective July 1, 2011 for all acquisitions conducted under FAR Part 15.

Text Messaging While Driving Prohibited For Federal Contractors

Last Fall, the Federal Government enacted new regulations requiring all federal contractors to institute new policies and procedure prohibiting contractor employees from texting while driving federal government vehicles or while driving private vehicles when performing work on federal contracts.

New Rule Requires Contractors to Report Executive Compensation and Subcontractor Information

Effective July 8, 2010, a new interim rule requires contractors to report information about subcontract awards and the names and – of particular note – the salaries of the 5 highest-paid prime and subcontractor executives. The subcontract award information will be made publicly available at USASpending.gov, and the contractor executive compensation information will be posted to the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) website. 

Government Finalizes Rule Requiring Posting of Sole Source Justifications

As we reported previously, the Government must use “full and open competition” when it purchases goods or services unless one of seven primary exceptions is met.  When the Government decides to limit competition by using one of these exceptions, it must prepare a “Justification and Approval” (J&A) explaining its rationale.

New Regulation Requires Contractors to Post Labor Rights Notices

On June 21, 2010, federal agencies will begin using contract clauses requiring contractors to post new workplace notices informing employees of their rights under federal labor laws. The Department of Labor’s recent final rule implements Executive Order 13496, which President Obama issued soon after taking office.  

OFPP Administrator Dan Gordon Discusses Redefining the Contractor-Government Relationship

On Thursday night, Dan Gordon commented on the need to "redefine" the relationship between the federal government and its contractors.  Mr. Gordon was recently appointed by the Obama administration to head the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), the federal government's procurement policy maker.

Executive Order Seeks to Limit Displacement of Qualified Workers Performing Service Contracts

On January 30, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13495 (“Order”), which affects a contractor’s or subcontractor’s ability to hire new employees when a contract to provide services to the Federal Government expires and a new contract for the same services is awarded to a different contractor.