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The WIFCON forum, blog topics, and contracting updates including federal contracting regulations, the contract award process, pricing, administration, and subcontract management. We facilitate knowledge sharing and problem-solving within the FAR contracting community.
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Executive Orders – April 9, 2025
As Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, I am committed to ensuring that the United States military possesses the most lethal warfighting capabilities in the world. America’s defense industrial base is central to this effort. Similarly, the defense acquisition workforce is a national strategic asset that will be decisive in any conflict, where the factory floor can be just as significant as the battlefield.
Government agency responses due between June 8 and October 6, 2025.
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There are 38 areas on our High Risk List as of February 2025. Our list has led to significant financial benefits for the country and taxpayers. Efforts to address High Risk issues have totaled nearly $759 billion in savings—an average of $40 billion per year. Since the last update 2 years ago, progress was seen in ten areas, resulting in approximately $84 billion in financial benefits.
Congress and executive agencies working together on our open recommendations can lead to lasting solutions and billions more in cost-savings for Americans. Overall, 25 areas maintained their status. Three areas regressed—DOD Weapon Systems Acquisition, Improving IT Acquisitions and Management, and Managing Federal Real Property. And, we added one new area on federal disaster assistance due to the recent increase in natural disasters and the need for efficient and effective federal relief.
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GAO-25-108401 Published: Apr 09, 2025. Publicly Released: Apr 09, 2025.
In fiscal year 2024, GAO’s work yielded over $67.5 billion in financial benefits. Our average return on investment for the past 6 years is $123 for every dollar invested in GAO.
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Executive Orders – March 20, 2025
The United States possesses vast mineral resources that can create jobs, fuel prosperity, and significantly reduce our reliance on foreign nations. Transportation, infrastructure, defense capabilities, and the next generation of technology rely upon a secure, predictable, and affordable supply of minerals.
Government agency responses due between March 30 and May 4, 2025.
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The executive order signed this week is part of a wider push to put the onus on states and localities to prepare for disasters, rather than the federal government.
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As part of efforts to right-size the schedules program, GSA is reviewing vendors who don’t meet the sales quota or are having performance and compliance issues. As part of efforts to right-size the schedules program, GSA is reviewing vendors who don’t meet the sales quota or are having performance and compliance issues.
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Contractors navigating federal procurement must understand how IP is created, owned, and licensed under government agreements. The failure to properly manage IP rights can lead to the unintended loss of ownership, competitive disadvantages, or disputes with the government over licensing terms. These six tips will help contractors protect their innovations while remaining compliant with government regulations.
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Before the USPTO was subject to a hiring freeze, it assumed it would onboard 400 new examiners between fiscal year 2025 and fiscal year 2026, and still predicted an increase in the backlog of unexamined patent applications. With a hiring freeze in place, the current backlog at nearly 838,000 unexamined patent applications, and the wait for initial examination already over 20 months, applicants can expect the time required to obtain a patent to increase.
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In the recent MicroTechnologies LLC and SMS Data Products Group, Inc. decisions, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained protests challenging the Agency’s failure to perform the required price risk analysis under DFARS 252.204-7024. These cases mark the first time the GAO has addressed the application of the relatively new DFARS provision.
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