GovCon

The latest industry news for the government contracting community.

Shell companies purchase radioactive materials, prompting push for nuclear licensing reform

Shell companies used fraudulent licenses to purchase radioactive materials, prompting calls for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to overhaul its licensing system.

20 hours ago

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy and Army ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in New York.

Congress should allow Pentagon to work with start-ups on needed innovation

The Pentagon and Silicon Valley need to team up. Ignoring the role of institutional venture capital in identifying, supporting, and scaling the most promising commercial technology firms is at best inefficient and at worst it is grossly irresponsible.

25 hours ago

GovCon

Battelle to manage $10 billion health care contract for Defense Department

The Omnibus IV contract addresses four market segments that companies could be selected to provide services to the DoD: research and development; R&D support services; regulatory processes; and translational science and support services.

Booz Allen says acquisition aimed at Lockheed, Raytheon, ‘billions’ in contracts

"The government’s narrative is not only inaccurate — it makes no sense," reads one document filed in Maryland federal court.

3 days ago

5 things every first-time bidder for federal contracts should know

People who have served in the military or worked for the federal government may have a slightly easier time navigating the language used in federal contracting. But it varies even across departments, so everyone needs to build in time for learning.

6 days ago

Machinist union votes to approve new Boeing contract, averting strike

The union had objected to proposed changes to employees' 401(k) benefits, and in late July voted to reject the contract offer and strike.

7 days ago

Pentagon’s secret communications network to get upgrade from Booz Allen

“DISA has made clear that we will not forget that the ‘fight’ is fought on SIPRNet,” said Christopher Barnhurst, the agency’s deputy director.

9 days ago

HUBZone awards keep missing federal contract goals a quarter-century after creation

Meanwhile, the number of participants in the program has almost halved to 4,870 from more than 8,500 a decade ago.

3 weeks ago

US urges speed in Booz Allen antitrust case as NSA intel contract nears

U.S. attorneys argue a speedier clip is necessary to preserve competition on a National Security Agency contract dubbed Optimal Decision, which deals with signals intelligence and simulation services.

4 weeks ago

Maximus says hands tied on wages after Medicare call center workers protest

Maximus workers have demanded higher wages and better benefits due to the effects of inflation. However, Maximus said it is limited in its ability to offer more by a law from 1965.

5 weeks ago

GOP measure would stop federal contractor minimum wage from becoming permanent

The move is included in the House debate over the annual defense authorization bill.

5 weeks ago

Oracle faces huge challenge in salvaging Cerner contract with VA

Cerner has been struggling with the VA, which oversees the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system, on a massive data implementation contract. Oracle now owns the problem - literally- and more is at stake than transforming healthcare as the companies touted in a scripted presentation last month.

5 weeks ago

Federal contract workers deserve better pay, Congress can help

Today, the federal contract workers who are arguably struggling the most are those employed by companies operating under the Service Contract Act. These “blended federal workforce” employees typically consist of individuals from low-income communities – often women of color – performing work such as housekeeping.

5 weeks ago

Lockheed’s Sikorsky wins $2.3 billion Army Black Hawk multi-year contract

The Army and Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky have finalized its tenth multi-year contract for the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter as the service prepares to keep it in the fleet for several more decades as it continues to develop the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft intended to replace the utility helicopter.

6 weeks ago

Defense agencies among worst for disclosing contracting needs

General Services Administration received the highest score. Marine Corps Systems Command and Naval Information Warfare Systems Command won honorable mentions.

7 weeks ago

Norcross to bring back tougher ‘Buy American’ legislation that rankled allies

A group of U.S. allies is again urging key House lawmakers to oppose any proposals to tighten federal “Buy American” requirements through the annual defense authorization bill.

7 weeks ago

Federal call center employees protest over wages at Maximus headquarters

Workers at a federal call center run by Maximus Inc. planned to deliver a letter signed by 12,000 community supporters to the company’s management, asking for higher wages and better health benefits.

8 weeks ago

Using the 5Cs of fraud prevention in government programs

By detecting anomalies in data using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, agencies are able to identify nefarious activity and stop it before more costly and malicious activity occurs. Actionable information extracted from data can also enable agencies to detect and prevent fraud before it happens.

2 months ago

Pentagon recovered millions from contractors using tip line, report shows

The DoD recovered $13.2 million in six months from private contractors who committed violations in connection with awards, which represents the majority of the money recovered through investigations of allegations initially reported to the DoD Hotline for fraud, waster and abuse.

2 months ago

DOJ awards nearly $5 million in Arizona to bolster law enforcement

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a total of nearly $5 million to nine Arizona law enforcement agencies to hire additional officers.

2 years ago

Could Congress provide IT modernization funding to states?

States' IT systems have been overwhelmed as a record amount of citizens have filed for unemployment.

2 years ago

U.S./Mexico border fence

US government awards largest-ever contract for border wall

A North Dakota construction company favored by President Donald Trump has received the largest contract to date to build a section of his signature wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

2 years ago

HackerOne’s services formally authorized for use by federal agencies

It's a significant step as federal agencies look to create vulnerability disclosure programs.

2 years ago

Tax agency wants to automate its grants management system

The IRS is anticipating an increase in grant applications.

2 years ago

Justice Department awards artificial intelligence contract

The award to Veritone marks the company's first major federal contract.

2 years ago

House Democrats ask 5 companies to return coronavirus aid

A Democratic-led subcommittee overseeing federal coronavirus aid is demanding that five companies return loans the panel says should have gone to smaller businesses.

2 years ago

State Department awards IT contract to help combat narcotics

The contract is potentially worth $350 million.

2 years ago

Agency finds private border wall violates Rio Grande treaty

“If the Rio Grande sees significant flooding, this wall will be uprooted, its bollards slammed into homes, businesses, and the dam downstream,” said one activist.

2 years ago