GMU’s Jerry McGinn Accepts 2025 Wash100 Award from Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson
Jeff McGinn Accepting Wash100 Award Jerry McGinn, executive director of the George Mason University School of Business’ Center for Government Contracting, has received the 2025 Wash100 Award from Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson. GMU Center for Government Contracting McGinn earned his third Wash100 Award for his significant work associated with the GMU Center for Government Contracting. Under […]
Powerful Modernizing Defense Acquisitions Strategy for 2025: 7 Game-Changing Shifts Driving Innovation
Modernizing Defense Acquisitions Strategy In an era of rapid technological shifts and increasing global threats, the United States can no longer rely on traditional, slow-moving defense procurement models. The Modernizing Defense Acquisitions Strategy announced by the White House in April 2025 signals a dramatic shift in how America defends its strategic interests and innovates within its defense […]
GSA ‘unimpressed,’ insulted by consulting companies’ efforts to cut spending
The General Services Administration is running out of patience with the top government consulting firms. In a strongly worded letter sent to all 10 firms, GSA warned them to provide better data and more specifics for cost savings and contract terminations — or risk the consequences. “GSA and our partner agencies have thoroughly reviewed your […]
Trump administration estimates 50,000 federal employees will lose civil service protections
Approximately 50,000 career federal employees are on track to see their civil service protections removed, as the Trump administration pushes forward with converting workers in government policy roles to an “at-will” employment status. A forthcoming proposed rule from Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will amend civil service regulations to allow career federal employees to be […]
Industry wonders whether the Pentagon will ever reform its budgeting system
The Defense Department’s planning, programming, budgeting and execution system it looks pretty much like it has for decades. This, more than a year has after a Congressionally-chartered commission came out with a long list of ways to reform it. This year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at least paid lip service to the idea of PPBE […]
DC weighs layoffs and other cuts as House Republicans leave the city budget in limbo
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser tried to keep the focus on a groundbreaking ceremony for a new mixed-used development. But she couldn’t help fielding a string of questions about the budget crisis hanging over the nation’s capital city. Asked Monday about the risk of layoffs and furloughs, she said: “We’re hoping that we […]
Lockheed Secures $180M Navy Contract Modification for F-35 Aircraft Parts
Image by Military_Material from Pixabay Lockheed Martin has received a $180 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to procure parts, materials and components to support the conversion of three F-35 production aircraft to flight science replacement planes. Scope of Contract Action The Department of Defense said Monday the new flight science aircraft will help […]
Industry has something to say about that rewrite of the buying rules
The now infamous rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, all 2,000 pages of it, the government has a lot of work to do. But the result will have the most effect on contractors. For whether they’ll have any say in the rewrite and what they would say, The Federal Drive with Tom Temin turned to […]
ODCs vs Indirect Costs vs Direct Labor: Finally Explained Like You’re Five
Ever sat in a government contracts meeting where someone casually tossed out the terms “ODCs,” “indirect costs,” and “direct labor,” and you nodded along like you totally got it—but had zero clue what anyone was talking about? You’re not alone. Federal contracting is a world with its own language. It’s like going to a party where everyone […]
FDA seeks contractors to replace dozens of feds laid off two weeks ago
The Food and Drug Administration is putting together plans to hire contractors to replace the duties of some federal employees terminated two weeks ago. FDA’s reduction in force (RIF) in early April included the elimination of all employees who worked on coordinating travel plans and logistics for FDA inspectors. About one week after FDA announced […]