government contract
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report: Increased Oversight Needed to Assess Network Adequacy and Contractor Performance
On April 9, VA's OIG detailed an audit to determine whether the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provided effective oversight of third-party administrators (TPAs) and VA medical facilities. The report was published. OIG says the Integrated Veterans Care Administration (IVC) has not held TPAs accountable for fulfilling these contract requirements and that staff has struggled to convince TPAs to add community providers to their networks. I discovered that it does. OIG recommended that IVC hold future TPAs accountable for operational readiness and provider network adequacy. Develop a process to update and maintain Community Care Network (CCN) data, issues, and needs. Provide training on advanced medical cost management solutions to assess network adequacy through tools for community health staff. In addition to producing their own network adequacy performance reports, he will also hold TPAs accountable for evaluating their reports and resolving issues identified.Full report available here.
Bill introduced in the Senate
- S.4055, Contract Outcomes Improvement Act of 2024: April 10, Senate Homeland Security and Government Committee. Office work Implements S.4055 and establishes a pilot program to improve contracting outcomes.More information available here.
- S.4036, Government Expenditure Oversight Act of 2024: April 10 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Introduces S.40On the 36th, it will create a Government Expenditure Oversight Committee within the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.More information available here.
- S.4042, Enhanced Oversight of the Federal Records Act of 2024: On April 10, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee introduced S.40.It amends Title 44, United States Code, to reform the management of federal records.More information available here.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Press Release: New small business applications surge to more than 17 million under Biden-Harris administration
On April 11, Executive Secretary Isabel Casillas Guzman issued a statement following new data showing an unprecedented 17 million new business applications have been filed under the Biden-Harris administration.read more here.
Maryland delegation launches bipartisan effort to raise funds to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge government executives
Maryland's congressional delegation plans to introduce a bill within the next few days that would make the federal government pay for the reconstruction of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, but the price tag lawmakers also mentioned at a news conference Tuesday. I didn't have any firm commitments. Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives pushed for the bill to pass.read more here.
Citizen Oversight Commissions Could Make the Federal Rulemaking Process More Open and Democratic government executives
Juries decide complex legal issues and may do the same as part of the regulatory process.read more here.
The Senate bill seeks to break down red tape in procurement; government executives
The bipartisan bill aims to both expand access to special acquisition authorities and give new and innovative contractors the opportunity to work with the government.read more here.
DOI lowers fees for solar and wind projects on public lands; law 360
The U.S. Department of the Interior on Thursday released the final update to renewable energy regulations aimed at encouraging the development of solar and wind energy on public lands by lowering associated fees.read more here (Subscription required).
Japan's defense contracts proliferate as part of long-term alliance; bloomberg government
The April 10 meeting between President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida comes after years of increased Pentagon contract spending in Japan. Defense Department contract spending in Japan has tripled over the past five years. Procurement supports operational and infrastructure enhancements.read more here (Subscription required).
Presentation on upcoming government contracts
PM Webinar: PilieroMazza Annual Review: Lessons learned from 2023 contract claims and appeals decisions will influence approach to litigation in 2024 lauren brier, Jonathan “John” R. Neri, April 18, 2024.read more here.
Webinar: Contracting and subcontracting for small and medium-sized enterprises; Isaias “Sai” Alba IV, April 19, 2024.read more here.
labor and employment
Department of Labor (DOL) News Release: DOL Announces Availability of $1 Million Grant to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, Harassment in the Workplace
On April 11, the DOL announced up to four grants to protect underserved and marginalized women workers from gender-based violence and harassment, and to respond when it occurs. announced the availability of $1 million in funding to support the project.read more here
HR6655, Stronger Workforce for America Act, House Passed
HR6655 was received by the Senate on April 10th and passed by the House on April 9th. This bill would amend and reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill aims to strengthen the nation's job training system as lawmakers seek to tackle labor shortages and prepare for the transformation of employment brought on by artificial intelligence.More information available here.
Lawmakers push for skills-based hiring for federal contractors; federal news network
If passed, the bipartisan ACCESS Act would remove college degree requirements from jobs in the federal contracting field. As government agencies gradually shift to skills-based hiring, two lawmakers are looking to expand the effort to another group: federal contractors.read more here.
Presentation on future labor and employment
meeting: Right pricing – current impact on costs and pricing strategy; Nicole D. Atala, April 18, 2024.read more here.
Cybersecurity and data privacy
S.2871, Multicloud Innovation and Progress Act of 2023, introduced in the Senate.
On April 10, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee reviewed S.2871 advances federal innovation through the implementation and use of multicloud computing software technology.More information available here.
As the 2027 deadline approaches, the Department of Defense moves into the implementation phase of its Zero Trust transformation. defense scoop
After months of preparation and funding, the Pentagon has begun implementing an ambitious plan to transition to a Zero Trust cybersecurity framework by the end of fiscal year 2027, according to multiple Pentagon IT officials.read more here.
CISA's “Cyber Storm” helps update the National Cyber Incident Response Plan. federal news network
CISA's Cyber Storm events bring together more than 2,000 participants from government and industry to respond to major cyber incidents. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is preparing for a large-scale “Cyberstorm” exercise aimed at simulating the response to a large-scale cyber incident in critical infrastructure.read more here.
When can U.S. spies buy your personal data? New guidelines emerge, Next government/FCW
The official said at an event hosted by Cyber Command that certain missions require the government to obtain personal information collected by data brokers, and appropriate safeguards must be put in place. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence will soon develop guidelines to help intelligence agencies better determine ethical considerations for operatives purchasing commercially available data that may contain sensitive personally identifying information, according to a top Pentagon lawyer. He plans to make an announcement.read more here.
Wyden bill requires new cyber standards for federal technology acquisition; Next government/FCW
The bill was enacted in response to several cyber incidents targeting the federal government. A new bill led by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would require new interoperability and cybersecurity standards for online collaboration tools acquired by the federal government.read more here.
Corporate governance and organizational governance
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Proposed Rule: Excise Tax on Repurchases of Corporate Stock and Excise Tax on Repurchases of Corporate Stock – Procedures and Administration
On April 12, the IRS released proposed regulations providing guidance on the application of the new excise tax to corporate stock repurchases made after December 31, 2022. The proposed rule would affect certain publicly traded companies that repurchase or acquire stock. Certain Affiliates.Proposed rules are available here and here. Comments are due on June 11, 2024 for “Consumption Tax on Repurchases of Corporate Shares” and on May 13, 2024 for “Consumption Tax on Repurchases of Corporate Shares – Procedures and Management.”
