The latest version of the beta.SAM.gov Update newsletter (February 2021) is available at https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/20210225_-betaSAMgov_Update.pdf.

The construction industry has seen increased costs and contract performance concerns resulting from the impacts of COVID-19. For construction firms contracting with the government, it is critical to understand how to position the firm to recover increased costs. Following are four key recovery strategies to better prepare you before filing a claim or request for equitable adjustment (REA). https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/covid-related-construction-claims-4-key-3161529/

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS – Pandemics and other biological threats, cyber-attacks, climate shocks and extreme weather events, terrorist attacks, geopolitical and economic competition, and other conditions can reduce critical manufacturing capacity and the availability and integrity of critical goods, products, and services. Resilient American supply chains will revitalize and rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity, maintain America’s competitive edge in research and development, and create well-paying jobs. They will also support small businesses, promote prosperity, advance the fight against climate change, and encourage economic growth in communities of color and economically distressed areas. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/24/executive-order-on-americas-supply-chains/

DepSecDef Hicks writes that “due to the limited amount of time available before the Department must submit its FY 2022 President’s Budget request, the process to re-evaluate existing decisions will focus on a very small number of issues with direct impact on FY 2022 and of critical importance to the President and the Secretary.” https://breakingdefense.com/2021/02/exclusive-hicks-memo-sets-2022-budget-priorities/

GAO-21-267R: Published: Feb 22, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 22, 2021. https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-21-267R

This article includes our annual summary, by topic, of the most relevant provisions of the FY21 NDAA for government contractors. As detailed below, some of the provisions from the earlier House and Senate versions of the NDAA that we highlighted in our previous article were not accepted into the final version. As we’ve previously summarized, the NDAA also includes numerous provisions addressing cybersecurity and artificial intelligence policies with ramifications far beyond DOD, including implementing recommendations from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission’s 2020 Report. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/national-defense-authorization-act-for-5444697/

The General Services Administration wants to get ahead on training and education materials contracting officers will need as Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements become standard in government contracts. https://fcw.com/articles/2021/02/17/cmmc-gsa-gwacs-get-ready.aspx

The new security enhancements – called identity proofing – will be voluntary (and recommended) at first, and will become mandatory in fiscal year 2022.  Posted by the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) Industry Community https://interact.gsa.gov/blog/new-security-offering-samgov-entity-administrators-available-may-24

Any new cybersecurity requirements the General Services Administration asks of contractors will be introduced at the order — not the contract — level, according to the deputy assistant commissioner of IT acquisition. https://www.fedscoop.com/cmmc-requirements-order-specific-gsa/

Acquisition.gov will be performing site-wide maintenance on the 27th and 28th of February. Expect periodic site outages on the 27th and 28th.