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Federal Contracting

Same Old Song (Ugh)

Ready for another government shut-down? Of course you’re not. None of us are. But the real possibility of a work stoppage when Congress returns from summer recess has us singing the blues all over again.

As reported in the Washington Post yesterday, the Professional Services Council (PSC), which represents more than 400 government tech and service companies, has sent out a warning to begin preparing for the expiring spending plan on 30 September. Additionally, without raising the debt ceiling, short term spending will cease. Uncertainty about spending plans and expectations from the current administration is causing the most unease.

Again, from the Post: the PSC chief executive says,” I have never seen this many moving parts this unconnected to each other this late in the game. It’s not intellectually difficult … but where do the votes come from, and is the president going to sign it?”

Stay tuned.

Speak now or forever hold your piece

GSA Extends Comment Period

Good news for the procrastinators among you! GSA extended the deadline to comment on rules governing acquisition, federal travel, and property management. This extension could signal an increase in flexibility and a re-commitment to vendor and customer relations on GSA’s part.

If you haven’t yet commented on  these policies, now is your chance! Head on over to the federal register to offer your input on leasing acquisition policy, federal travel rules, and property management regulations.

DoD eMall is dead. Long Live FedMall!

Same function, different name. We welcome FedMall to the land of commerce, contracting, and commercial-off-the-shelf federal purchasing.

With this new site, government buyers experience a more user-friendly interface, enhanced search functions, and easy comparability of similar products.

Contractors must complete a familiar process, very similar to what was required of eMall. This includes having an authentication certificate (CAC card, PIV card, etc.); your CAGE code; active SAM registration; and your contract number. The contract number represents your existing GSA Schedule or other Long Term Agreement or Blanket Purchase Agreement. Office supply providers are the one exception to this — they simply upload their products.

To begin the process of being listed on FedMall, go to https://www.suppliers.fedmall.mil. For more information, you can review the Quick Start Guide or contact us here at EZGSA (301-913-5000).

Uncle Sam Wants You … To Comment on Acquisition Regulations

Per the Trump administration’s mandate, GSA continues to streamline federal regulations. They have subsequently requested industry comment on policies that may be due for repeal, modification, or replacement. GSA especially needs input on less recent items, such as evergreen contracting. The office also encourages information on newsworthy topics such as the Transactional Data Reporting rule.

Of particular interest are regulations that inhibit job creation, seem outdated, have more drawbacks than benefits, create serious inconsistencies, derive  from non-transparent data, or rely on executive orders that have since been rescinded.

Send in your comments to take advantage of this opportunity to comment  on GSA’s policies and practices. Read more at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-05-30/pdf/2017-11052.pdf

 

EIS Schedules (tele)Coming to America

GSA Asks for Industry Help Transitioning to EIS Contracts

GSA is moving small agencies and Native American tribes that hold telecommunications Networx and WITS 3 contracts to Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions(EIS) contracts. Officials expect a May 2020 completion date for the transition.

GSA asked industry for input on how to transition these 36 entities to the new plans.

If groups do not have the resources to transition, they can ask GSA to do most of the heavy lifting. However, groups that use this service must reimburse GSA through contract fees.

For more information, read the RFI.