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April 11, 2018 By AMK

Could the online marketplace be a catalyst for procurement transformation?

The rest of the world has been buying online for a long time now, and with Congressional permission, our government agencies will finally get to try it out.

A section included in the annual defense authorization bill allows the Pentagon and other government agencies to buy directly from online marketplaces such as Amazon, Grainger and Office Depot as part of a pilot program.

Section 846 could be the catalyst for far-reaching change, leading to new procurement business processes and innovative procurement technology. If the federal government wants to make this initiative as successful as possible, there are a few key things they need to consider.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2018/03/could-online-marketplace-be-catalyst-procurement-transformation/146807/

Filed Under: Government Contracting News Tagged With: acquisition reform, Amazon, NDAA, online buying, online marketplace, online sales, procurement reform

January 23, 2018 By AMK

Report of GSA’s public meeting to discuss ‘Amazon’ amendment

On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, the General Services Administration (GSA) convened a public meeting to discuss the implications and ramifications of Section 846 of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Procurement Through Commercial e-Commerce Portals.

This amendment (dubbed the “Amazon amendment”) will permit government agencies to buy commercial products through online portals like Amazon, Overstock, Staples, and Walmart.

Implications abound, from privity of contract to dealing with preference programs to determining how competition will best be served. GSA’s public meeting was an opportunity to discuss these issues as part of an ongoing dialogue that started with a request for comment and notice of yesterday’s meeting in mid-December.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.publicspendforum.net/blogs/frank-mcnally/2018/01/12/gsa-event-discusses-amazon-amendment

Filed Under: Government Contracting News Tagged With: Amazon, competition, GSA, NDAA, online buying, online marketplace, online sales

September 6, 2017 By AMK

Defense bill would privatize the way the federal government buys everyday staples

New legislation working its way through Congress could significantly alter the way commercial companies sell everyday products and services to the U.S. military and federal agencies, opening the door for online retailers to reach a massive new customer.

The defense bill passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year contains language that would allow the Pentagon and other government agencies to buy directly from commercially run online marketplaces, bypassing a highly regulated purchasing process managed by the General Services Administration.

High-tech weaponry such as jets, guns and missiles would still be developed and sold through traditional government contracts. But the effort would allow companies like Amazon.com, OfficeMax and Home Depot to set up marketplaces for agencies to buy basic supplies.

Currently, agencies buy commercial goods through GSA schedules — essentially pre-negotiated agreements to provide products and services to the government at volume discount pricing.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/defense-bill-would-privatize-the-way-the-federal-government-buys-everyday-staples/2017/09/01/cf20aee2-8e84-11e7-84c0-02cc069f2c37_story.html

Filed Under: Government Contracting News Tagged With: commercial products, DoD, Federal Supply Schedule, GSA, GSA Advantage, GSA Schedule, GSA Schedules, NDAA, online buying, online sales

September 1, 2017 By AMK

When Amazon meets government

Imagine simply flipping open your laptop, firing up your desktop computer or popping open an app on your mobile phone to order office supplies, equipment, or even contract services Amazon-style, two-day delivery included.

That day may not be too far off if a provision in the House version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act makes it into law.

The prospects for commercial online marketplaces in government got a lift in mid-July, when Alan Thomas, the Trump administration’s new chief of the General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service, gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to the proposal that his agency engage online marketplaces for all agencies to use.

The idea is ensconced in the House-passed version of the 2018 NDAA, which contains policy and suggested budget toplines for the Pentagon. The Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the bill does not include the online marketplace provision, and it awaits a full Senate vote in September, after the August congressional recess.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.govexec.com/excellence/promising-practices/2017/08/when-amazon-meets-government/140218/

Filed Under: Government Contracting News Tagged With: acquisition reform, category management, FAS, GSA, GWAC, NDAA, online buying, online sales, procurement reform

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