Strengthening the security of federal networks, systems, and data is one of the most important challenges federal agencies face. Therefore, the General Services Administration (GSA) is changing how it provides access to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s cybersecurity program through the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program. GSA's newest Schedule 70 Special Item Number (SIN) 132-44, Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Tools, is a dynamic approach to strengthening the cybersecurity of government networks and systems. The jointly administered program by DHS and the GSA currently operates under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) which will expire in August, 2018. The GSA began the BPA-to-GSA transition process by adding the SIN 132-44 to IT Schedule 70.

This update will affect SINS 520-16 through 520-20. The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is planning to release Refresh 28 of the 00CORP Professional Services Schedule (PSS) in Mid-November 2017. This update will implement a variety of changes to the scope of Special Item Numbers (SINs) 520-16, 520-17, and 520-20. It will also delete SINs 520-18 and 520-19 in order to redefine Data Breach Response and Identity Protection Services under PSS. These changes help to embrace the transition seen in data breach response and help create a proactive solution for identity protection.

Last month, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced that there are some major changes coming to several of their Schedule solicitations.

GSA eBuy helps streamline the RFQ process for Federal Buyers. Read to see what that means for Government Contractors! Once awarded a GSA Schedule, you’ll have access to a number of tools that will allow you to see specific agency needs. One of the most exclusive tools for GSA Schedule holders is GSA’s e-Business novelties website called eBuy. EBuy is an electronic Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) system, designed to allow government buyers to request information, find sources, and prepare RFQs and RFPs for millions of services and products offered through GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). Government buyers can use eBuy to obtain quotes or proposals for services, large quantity purchases, big ticket items and purchases with complex requirements. Government contractors who do not have a GSA Schedule won’t have access to eBuy and are unable to see or respond to the opportunities posted there.

One of the trickiest areas of compliance for federal government contractors is following the regulations of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) of 1965, for services that are non-professional in nature. FAR Subpart 22.10 was recently updated to call this regulation the Service Contract Labor Standards, however, in practice you will still hear it commonly referred to as the SCA. With this update contractors saw major changes to the wage determinations.The SCA of 1965 was amended to ensure that businesses who worked in the service industry observed minimum wage standards as well as safety and health standards, when doing business with the Federal Government, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands.

Here's how the False Claims Act and Mandatory Disclosure works towards protecting the Federal Government. The False Claims Act was first enacted in 1863 by Congress, to prevent defrauding of the Federal Government. It is the government’s top tool in recovering false claims for government funds and property. The False Claims Act is pertinent to any person who knowingly submits a false claim for payment, receives a false payment claim or conspires to conceal an obligated payment to the Government. A person can be found liable if they are knowledgeable about the false claim but also if they are acting recklessly or in ignorance of the truth. In the world of government contracting, it is important to know how this law applies to your contract and how you can ensure your compliance while also expanding your government sales opportunities.