GSA’s Section 508 program recently created a guidance document, Guidance on Conducting Market Research. Buyers in federal agencies are required by law and regulation to conduct market research. Market research is a means of ensuring that what we want to purchase is in fact actually available. For ensuring accessibility and compliance with Section 508 whenRead… Read more »
RAHM-TIME IN BLAGO TRIAL? Story here. “Earlier this month, former Blagojevich aide-turned-government-informant John Wyma testified that Emanuel called him after being chosen to serve as White House chief-of-staff to relay Obama’s support for presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett as Obama’s Senate replacement.” D’S MOVE TO SUPPORT DRAFT EO. Roll Call. “Congressional Democrats are gathering signatures thisRead… Read more »
There has been a lot of work in recent years on ways of improving the process of public consultation. It’s not something about which I have any great expertise or direct involvement, but I am conscious of great efforts to produce consultation material in forms which are not just useful and accessible themselves, but whichRead… Read more »
INPUT Analyst Evan Halperin reports. The New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has issued subpoenas to a number of individuals who are part of local development corporation (LDC) Monroe Security and Safety Systems (M3SLDC). M3SLDC was established in 2009 by Monroe County to provide public safety technology and services to county citizens. With millionsRead… Read more »
Portland-area thieves have found a new way to make a quick buck. According to columnist Joseph Rose, scofflaws are using stolen credit cards to purchase TriMet (OR) passes (typically the $88 all-zone pass) and then selling the tickets at a discount. “TriMet passes and tickets have become like cash on the streets,” said Portland policeRead… Read more »
I had the pleasure of attending yesterday’s AFFIRM luncheon which featured a panel of incredible government rockstars from GSA. The discussion took a look at GSA’s integrated technology services and what the future looks like. Government Rockstar, Marie Davie, GSA’s Assistant Commissioner for Integrated Technology Services and Federal Acquisition Services led a panel which consistedRead… Read more »
FEC MEETING. The agenda for next Thursday’s meeting of the Federal Election Commission is available here. SUPER PAC TEST. Roll Call reports that a new advisory opinion request has been filed. “Less than a week after Republicans said they would use federal lawmakers, candidates and party officials to raise unlimited money for an election advertisementRead… Read more »
INPUT Sr. Analyst Jeff Webster reports. If you are a computer aided dispatch (CAD) vendor, now is the time to begin working with counties in Washington state. Effective June 1, 2011, the Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division’s E911 Office will be reimbursing eligible counties for the purchase or lease of new CAD systems, whichRead… Read more »
An employee of Cubic Transportation Systems was arrested for creating and selling fake Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority passes. According to Massachusetts attorney general Martha Coakley, the man allegedly made 20,000 “ghost passes” since 2007 and sold them for a discount in person or on Craigslist. Because the passes were made on the same equipment asRead… Read more »
INPUT Principal Analyst Jason Sajko reports. The American Bar Association (ABA), Section of Public Contract Law held its 6th Annual State and Local Procurement Symposium on May 13, 2011. The event was hosted in Sacramento, Calif. in partnership with the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) andRead… Read more »