Month: April 2024

A New Rule for Cleaner Contracts

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA have jointly issued a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation to enforce the procurement and utilization of sustainable products and services as identified or recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This initiative aims to align federal agencies with environmentally responsible practices, promoting the purchase of products and services that meet specific sustainability criteria. Notably, the rule mandates the acquisition of WaterSense-label water-efficient products and services, as well as Safer Choice-certified products containing safer chemical ingredients, as outlined by the White House. (Executive Gov April 22, 2024)

In addition to the specified product requirements, the final rule compels federal agencies to adhere to the EPA’s recommended environmental standards and ecolabels, which were updated in October 2023. These standards serve as guidance for purchasers to accurately identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services, contributing to the overall sustainability efforts of the government. EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the significance of these enhanced purchasing standards in advancing the administration’s environmental objectives while concurrently bolstering domestic manufacturing and fostering economic growth nationwide. (ibid)

Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Brenda Mallory, underscored the role of the new standards in supporting President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. By prioritizing the purchase of sustainable products and services certified to EPA-recommended standards and ecolabels, federal agencies can contribute to job creation within the United States while advancing climate action and environmental sustainability goals. Ultimately, this final rule is aligned with the Biden administration’s Federal Sustainability Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions and other procurement objectives by 2050, signaling a significant step towards a more sustainable future.

Looking to align your contracts more closely to the GSA/NASA final FAR regulation? Give us a call.

Ushering in a New Era of Inclusivity

Last week marked a significant milestone as U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland signed a groundbreaking rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, clarifying how the 34-year-old law applies online. It’s a pivotal move by the federal government, aiming to address the accessibility challenges faced by people with disabilities when navigating government websites and mobile apps. These challenges include issues like small text, lack of mobile-friendliness, uncaptioned audio, complex forms, and poor color contrast, all of which hinder users’ ability to access essential services and engage with their localities. (Government Executive April 17, 2024)

The new rule establishes standards and technical requirements derived from internationally recognized guidelines by the World Wide Web Consortium. These standards mandate that government websites and apps must be easily navigable, understandable, and readable. They require features such as text captions for audio and video, alternative text for images, resizable text, and compatibility with keyboard-only navigation. Additionally, websites must not induce seizures or physical reactions, and they must offer both landscape and portrait orientations for accessibility. (ibid)

While this move toward greater accessibility is commendable, it comes with a substantial cost for state and local governments. The Department of Justice estimates that counties could face a nationwide bill of nearly $967 million, with cities expecting costs exceeding $2 billion. Similarly, townships, school districts, and higher education institutions may also incur compliance costs in the billions. However, the DOJ predicts that once fully implemented, these measures could save governments hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars annually by reducing the need for mail, phone or in-person services. (ibid)

Despite the financial implications, the effort has garnered support from several state leaders who view the rules as a balanced approach to ensuring equal access to government services. Governments with populations of 50,000 or more, will have two years to comply, while those with smaller populations will have three years. The rule exempts archived content, preexisting electronic documents, password-protected documents, third-party content, and social media posts. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the significance of the rule, stating that it marks a pivotal step toward ending discrimination against millions of Americans with disabilities. (ibid)

Questions about how this new bill might affect your current contract? Give us a call.

A great LinkedIn profile might land you a Government Contract

State and local government procurement specialists are increasingly relying on online platforms like LinkedIn to evaluate potential vendors. A poorly optimized personal profile could lead to missed opportunities for vendors aiming to secure government contracts. Lumino, a B2G marketing agency, conducted The Pulse of Procurement Report, surveying 100 state and local government and 100 federal government budget owners to understand their vendor selection process. (Government Technology April 1, 2024)

According to Lumino’s report, 35 percent of state and local government respondents exclusively vet vendors online. This statistic highlights the significance of maintaining a strong online presence. Jenny Karn, Lumino’s CEO, emphasized the importance of being easily discoverable online and ensuring that a company’s website presents a positive impression to potential clients. (ibid)

Establishing a robust web presence coupled with a solid SEO strategy is crucial, as revealed by Lumino’s research. Seventy-one percent of state and local agencies and 61 percent of federal respondents find vendors through company websites, often starting their search on search engines like Google or Bing. Karn stressed that being discoverable online is essential, as competitors with stronger online visibility are more likely to attract attention from government agencies. (ibid)

LinkedIn emerges as the preferred social media platform for government agencies to find new vendors, according to the survey results. Government budget owners often review not only a company’s main profile but also the personal LinkedIn profiles of its employees during the RFP review process. Karn emphasized the importance of maintaining a complete and keyword-optimized LinkedIn profile to demonstrate seriousness and professionalism to potential government clients. (ibid)

Although the Internet plays a crucial role in vendor discovery, Lumino’s survey also highlighted the continued value of in-person interactions, particularly at trade shows. While 83 percent of state and local governments attend trade shows to discover new vendors, only 74 percent of federal respondents do so. Additionally, trade shows serve as a platform for evaluating new vendors, with 37 percent of state and local respondents and 26 percent of federal respondents reporting that they assess vendors through these events. Thus making trade shows invaluable to being evaluated as a potential contract holder. (ibid)

Need some social media platform assistance or help figuring out which trade shows are best for your company? Give us a call.

Month: April 2024

A New Rule for Cleaner Contracts

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