Just before Memorial Day, President Obama signed legislation to address cost and performance issues in major weapons system programs. The Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 includes a focus on the requirements-generation and independent cost analysis functions; addresses ongoing program performance issues; and requires agencies to report on certain contract performance outcomes. An April GAO report found significant inconsistencies and shortfalls in the government’s use of contractor past performance evaluations despite requirements for their use. In his column in Government Services Insider, Alan Chvotkin, PSC’s Executive Vice President and Counsel, advises companies to scrutinize their performance, carefully document any deviations and utilize customer feedback to help strengthen performance, press for timely feedback as entitled to from agencies, and urge agencies to use relevant past performance information as an evaluation factor in future solicitations.

The General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Advisory Panel adopted its final report on June 26, which included 20 recommendations to increase competition and transparency in the GSA Schedules program.

The GSA administrator established the MAS Advisory Panel in March 2008 to provide independent advice and recommendations to ensure that the government obtains the lowest overall price for products and services and promotes fair award and administration of MAS contract awards. Specifically, the panel was tasked with reviewing the MAS policy statements, implementing regulations, solicitation provisions and other related documents regarding the structure, use, and pricing for the MAS contract awards.

The recommendations outlined by the panel are meant to fundamentally re-architect the way GSA and the agencies work together to enhance the value of the GSA Schedules. Read more.

On June 9, PSC President & CEO Stan Soloway sent a letter to Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn outlining PSC’s concerns with a May 28 DoD memorandum announcing implementing guidance for insourcing contracted services. The DoD memo is one of many developments that would limit the federal government’s ability to contract with the private sector. Read more.

PSC Executive Vice President and Counsel Alan Chvotkin was the lone private sector witness at a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs hearing on the interim report of the Wartime Contracting Commission. At the June 10 hearing, Chvotkin provided PSC’s perspective on the work performed to date by the commission and PSC’s recommendations to the commission as they work toward their final findings. Key among those recommendations are that the commission conduct hearings with a broader array of expert witnesses and that the commission focus on forward-looking solutions rather than solely pointing fingers. Read more.

With critical skills in short supply, the market value for skilled professionals has climbed at a precipitous rate, with companies and agencies competing furiously with one another for the same people and skills. In his column in Washington Technology, PSC President and CEO Stan Soloway asserts that balanced, reasonable, mutual limits could help reduce unnecessary cost growth and workforce churn and help drive strategic workforce planning inside and outside the government.