CHESS: A Guide to Software and Services Procurement
30 Jun, 2016
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UPDATE: To learn about ACCENT, the Army’s new cloud program procured through CHESS, click here. Much like the game, the US Army’s Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) fathoms many a seasoned contractor. This article is a guide to everything there is to know about CHESS and the latest developments in the procurement tools housed within CHESS. This article focusses on procurement of services and software through CHESS. To read more about Hardware Procurement, click here. Mobility Services To procure a...
CHESS: A Guide to Hardware Procurement
30 Jun, 2016
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Much like the game, the US Army’s Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) fathoms many a seasoned contractor. This article is a guide to everything there is to know about CHESS and the latest developments in the procurement tools housed within CHESS. According to AFARS 5139.101-90 (a), “…Purchasers of commercial hardware and software must satisfy their IT requirements by utilizing CHESS contracts and DoD enterprise software agreements first, regardless of dollar value.” The program has a clear vision –...
Federal Procurement, Other Topics
Cybersecurity Hot Topics
21 Jun, 2016
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New Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency? As far as hot topics go, cybersecurity seems to be at the forefront of U.S. governmental concerns. 2016 has brought to center a range of cybersecurity issues and legislation. Spurred on by cyber-attacks such as the large data breach of the Office of Personnel Management in 2015, lawmakers are attempting to make great strides in order to input a structure that is able to compensate for the diverse systems and needs of federal agencies. On...
Get Ahead of 8(a) STARS II
20 Jun, 2016
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In this season of IDIQs and GWACs, one of the most illustrious GWACs is the 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services II (STARS II). With a ceiling of $10 billion and spanning for 10 years, agencies can buy information assurance, cybersecurity, and custom computer programming while also focusing on long-term goals of these small businesses, strengthening them from within. STARS II has each type of small business, with the largest portion—35 percent—of awards going to woman-owned small businesses....
SDVOSBs: An Insight
20 Jun, 2016
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What are SDVOSBs? As of the Executive Order 13360 by President George W. Bush in 2004, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is one that meets the Small Business Administration (SBA) requirement and is a business owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans (0-100% rating). The latter is the primary distinguisher between Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSBs) and SDVOSBs. The goings-on of the SDVOSB World On the surface, it is pretty rosy. There are 18,228 SDVOSBs...
Say goodbye to legacy technology!
20 Jun, 2016
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Stuck with old technologies and need a jumpstart to the new age? Then you’ll want to know about the IT resolving fund worth $3.1 billion for IT modernization. The bill was introduced was first proposed by Federal Chief Information Officer Tony Scott and introduced by into the House by Maryland minority whip representative Steny Hoyer on April 11th, 2016. The fund, H.R. 4897, aims to distribute money through the GSA to agencies for the revamp of old, legacy technology in...
Federal Procurement, Leveraging Set-Asides
Take HUBZone by the Horns!
20 Jun, 2016
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What are HUBZones? HUBZones, Historically Underutilized Business Zones, were created in 1997, as part of the Small Business Reauthorization Act, to provide government contracting assistance to small businesses located in these zones. The pre-conditions for a company to be classified as HUBZone are pretty strict- it must be a small business by SBA standards, 35% of the company’s employees must reside within a HUBZone, and the company’s principle office must be located within a HUBZone. Why should we care? The...
Federal Procurement, Programs / GWACs / IDIQs
New Schedule 70 SIN (HACS)
20 Jun, 2016
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Find our updated information on the new HACS SINs here. In response to the emergent challenge of cyber-security, President Obama is directing his Administration to implement a $19 billion-dollar Action Plan. Obama’s Cyber security National Action Plan (CNAP) is an attempt to secure long-term strategies in order to enhance cyber-security protections and give Americans the ability to “take better control of their digital security.” CNAP requires that the GSA creates suitable procurement vehicles in coordination with DHS that will allow departments and...