Describes the importance of effective use of contractors by the Defense Department and the dangers of ineffective use, especially as seen by consequences in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Also discusses the importance of cultural and systemic change in contracting in the future.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses special contracting mechanisms that the Defense Department is allowed to use for a limited number of acquisition programs and whether more such exceptions to regular contracting procedures should be allowed in the interest of saving money.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the history of the GVC program from its inception in 2009the initial request for proposals, the preliminary criticisms, the cancellation of the RFP, defense industry concerns with the revised RFP, and cost issues for Congress.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Results of an investigation into possible misuse and waste of taxpayer dollars by improper procurement procedures by the Office of Personnel Management.  From the Office of the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management

Discusses the Army’s plans to develop and purchase a new ground combat vehicle as a replacement for the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles to use as a combined combat and transportation vehicle.  This report compares the Army’s plan with four other options that could be pursued instead.   From the Congressional Budget Office

Examines federal wind-related energy initiatives including key characteristics of programs implemented in 2012, overlap, duplication or fragmentation in the programs, and the manner in which agencies allocate support to such projects.  From the Government Accountability Office

Describes the evaluation process, how past performance factors into the process, and recent efforts to strengthen requirements.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Explains what cloud computing is and discusses the implementation of the Federal Cloud Computing Initiative since its 2010 inception.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the extent to which federal agencies take environmental issues into consideration when procuring products and services, the current legal authorities requiring or allowing for environmental considerations, and how these laws are implemented.   From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the organizational structure of the weapons procurement system, the acquisition categories,  and the procurement reform efforts of Congress and the Defense Department.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes the laws and legal protections that contractors have when performing government-procured work.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

FAR is a regulation which governs the acquisition of goods and services by executive branch agencies.  This report discusses the origin, content, and regulatory reach of FAR.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes the Army’s major weapon system programs with program descriptions, activities, and contractors.  From the Department of the Army

Reports on results of investigation into federal battery and energy storage initiatives by 6 agencies.  Covers the scope and characteristics of the initiatives, the extent of duplication that may have occurred, and the degree of interagency coordination that occurs.  From the Government Accountability Office

Reviews the restrictions on private-sector employment for government workers formerly employed in the legislative or executive branches with special attention to those who handled procurement functions.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reviews significant challenges in terms of cost and complicated operations for government by increasing demands for intelligence support and innovations in intelligence technologies.  Reviews the evolving requirements for ISR systems and the ISR acquisition process.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the process and the requirements that businesses must follow.  Also describes the services related to procurement provided to small businesses by several federal agencies.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes the Defense Department strategy for moving from current duplicative IT strategies to a cloud-based approach for faster, more secure access to information regardless of computing device or location.  From the Defense Department

Reviews progress made by seven federal agencies in meeting Office of Management and Budget deadlines that cloud-based solutions be implemented for technology services by June 2012.  From the Government Accountability Office

Describes the Navy’s desire to acquire upgrades for its fleet of destroyers, the design modifications sought, the cost, and issues for Congress to consider.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes the procurement program for the LCS, the quantities sought by the Defense Department, the competing vendors, and the issues for Congress to consider.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses issues related to the research and development of a new class of ballistic missile submarines including cost, quantity, timetable and force strength, and selection of shipyard to build the ships, whether Newport News, Virginia or the General Dynamic’s yard in Groton, CT.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reviews the laws, regulations, and court decisions that require federal government agencies to include small businesses in the government procurement process.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.com

Lays out three primary objectives in creating a digital strategy for delivering government services: provide high quality information for all types of digital devices; procure and manage digital information devices, applications, and data in smart, secure, and affordable ways; and use digital information to spur innovation.  From the White House

Offers data on the amount spent by the federal government for information goods and services from 1990 through the second quarter of FY2012 and the vendors from whom these services and products were purchased.  Also forecasts potential savings through FY2015 if federal agencies purchased these products and services through a strategic-sourcing initiative.  From the Library of Congress

This report summarizes the Buy American Act and what it does and does not cover; the Little Buy American Acts found in permanent law, what they cover, and why Congress felt it necessary to enact them; and the temporary Buy American provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Small business size standards are controversial because the standards determine eligibility for receiving Small Business Administration assistance as well as federal contracting and tax preferences. This report provides a historical examination of the SBA’s size standards, assesses competing views concerning how to define a small business, and discusses how the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 might affect program eligibility.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

An annual assessment of Defense Department weapons acquisitions including observations on the cost performance of the 2011 portfolio of 96 major programs and on the introduction of acquisition reforms.

From the Government Accountability Office

Chronic controversies have centered on whether federal government agencies should rely more or less on private contractors for the provision of goods and services and whether certain functions are commercial or inherently governmental.   This report provides an overview of the evolution of federal sourcing policy and identifies the major policy issues before Congress.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

The use of manned aerial vehicles and systems in conflicts and relief operations revealed the advantages and disadvantages provided by unmanned systems.  This report reviews issues related to the proper pace, scope and management of such procurements, investment priorities, and legal issues arising from the use of such technologies among others.   From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists