Some contracting industry observers are cautioning the government against bundling and consolidating contracts due to reduced spending at agencies and hiring freezes, Federal News Radio reported Friday.Jason Miller writes that many agencies are not meeting their goal of awarding at least 23 percent of prime contracts to small businesses and agencies’ decisions to bundle some contracts have added to the situation.
Emily Murphy, senior counsel to the House Small Business Committee, said Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves has introduced the Contracting Data and Bundling Act of 2014 to develop a plan for improving data reports on contract bundling and consolidation, according to the report.
Ken Dodds, the Small Business Administration‘s director of policy, planning and liaison, said some agencies are not justifying their decision to consolidate or bundle contracts, the station reports.
Miller reports vendors are trying to address these and other contracting concerns through avenues such as contractor teaming arrangements and the Chief Acquisition Officer’s public dialogue on procurement.
