Off the Shelf

Tim Brennan, president of the Center for Procurement Advocacy, joins Off the Shelf for an update on the Hill.
Brennan discusses the Hill’s focus on acquisition policy and outlines the key procurement priorities for this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
In particular, he addresses the growing split between the Department of War’s acquisition authorities and civilian agency acquisition authorities and sees an opportunity this year to narrow the gap.
Brennan also shares his thoughts on the Congressional calendar with insights regarding the timing of key legislative actions, including potential reconciliation and the timing for the NDAA.
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This week on Off the Shelf, Jeff Koses, senior procurement executive at the General Services Administration (GSA) shares the vision and goals for the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (RFO).
As an introduction to the discussion, Koses explains the role the FAR Council plays in the rule-making process, including how, OMB, GSA, DoW, and NASA work together to draft FAR rules consistent with statutes and executive orders.
He then explains how the FAR Council used deviations to meet the ambitious timelines set forth by the administration.
In addition, Koses highlights the shift to reliance on guidance documents like the Practitioner’s Albums to support the acquisition workforce.
Finally, Koses discusses the RFO changes and the significant regulatory changes that streamline the process and reduce burdens for government and industry.
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Jonathan Aronie, partner at Sheppard Mullin, joins Off the Shelf for an engaging discussion of GSA’s proposed AI clause and President Trump’s executive order, “Addressing DEI Discrimination By Federal Contractors.”
GSA’s AI Clause establishes a governance framework and establishes an allocation of rights and responsibilities between the government, contractor, and any AI service provider supporting the contractor.
The AI clause takes an approach that raises questions regarding its consistency with commercial practice and potential burdens on the private sector that may inhibit access to cutting edge, commercial AI solutions.
Aronie analyzes the AI clause’s key provisions, and provides his insights and analysis of the new DEI executive order, which mandates new contract language addressing DEI discrimination.
Finally Aronie outlines what contractors need to know regarding, the timing, scope, and mechanics of the executive order’s new contractual obligations on DEI.

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This week on Off the Shelf, Moshe Schwartz, president of Etherton & Associates, joins host Roger Waldron to discuss the geopolitical landscape facing the nation and how it driving defense acquisition policy reform.
Schwartz shares his insights on procurement, logistical and supply chain challenges and opportunities driving the Department of War’s (DoW’s) restructuring/reform of acquisition operations.
He also highlights some under the radar provisions of the NDAA, and dissects the readiness challenge facing DoW, sharing his insight the key management changes that are improving readiness along with what more can be done.
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This week on Off the Shelf, Brian Friel from BD Squared, addresses the state of governmentwide contracting.
Friel gives a postmortem on CIO-SP4 including lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid when utilizing a self-scoring evaluation model.
He also gives an update on OASIS+ and the IT GWACs, including NASA SEWP VI, POLARSIS, Alliant 3, and highlights the Alliant’s programs major step forward in announcing the first set of awardees.
Other topics included the impact of the RFO on governmentwide contracting, including the new FAR Part 8’s framework for mandatory contracts, and FAR Part 16’s revision that allows Blanket Purchase Agreements under Multiple Award contracts other than the Schedules.
Finally, Friel gives his thoughts on OASIS+ and the Army’s MAPS procurement.
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