News for the Federal Acquisition Workforce

June 3,2020

Nominations for the 2020 Acquisition Excellence Awards Extended and Expanded  To recognize acquisition professionals who contribute to outstanding improvements in acquisition throughout the federal government, the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) is seeking nominations for the 2020 Acquisition, Program Management, and Small Business Excellence Awards.  The CAO Council has extended the nomination period for the Acquisition, Program Management, and Small Business Excellence Awards two months to Friday, July 31. In addition, the CAO Council is permitting nominations for efforts from 2019 through July 2020. There has been some amazing work responding to the pandemic, the CAO Council wants to ensure that this work is recognized now instead of waiting an additional year. Efforts responding to the COVID-19 pandemic can easily fit into any of these three awards.

Professional Services Office Hours June 11 Register today for the next GSA Professional Services Office Hours on June 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET. This month, the topic is how to get more responses to RFIs and RFQs for professional service requirements. Join expert Brian Boothe and learn best practices to improve interactions with industry partners. GSA's monthly Professional Services category Office Hours are free, online classes designed to address federal agency customer questions about professional services acquisition. Earn 1 CLP! Register now.

GSA’s Federal Marketplace (FMP) Spring 2020 Release GSA’s FMP Spring 2020 Release is now available! This fourth release continues to underscore the amazing work underway to simplify the buying and selling marketplace for buyers, suppliers, and acquisition professionals. Community feedback is important, so don’t hesitate to email FMP or join the FMP Community of Practice.

New Knowledge Nugget Videos Available! FAI is pleased to announce the release of three new micro learning videos in our Knowledge Nugget series. These 5 minute just-in-time training videos will provide a quick overview of the Best Value Continuum, Contract Types, and Innovation and the FAR Guiding Principles. Visit FAI’s Media Library today to check out these videos as well as many others!

The FAI Helpdesk has a New Address The FAITAS Help Desk URL changed from https://gsafai.service-now.com/ to https://gsafai.servicenowservices.com/. If you bookmarked the FAITAS Help Desk site, please update your bookmark. Users should continue to use https://www.fai.gov/helpdesk to submit tickets. Please be advised that the new FAITAS Help Desk email address is gsafai@servicenowservices.com. Users will receive responses to any help desk responses from the updated email address instead of gsafai@service-now.com.

Office Management Category Supports COVID-19 Response With Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in short supply, the Office Management category identified an opportunity to support the COVID-19 response effort using GSA’s 3D Print solution. GSA surveyed its vendor community to determine capabilities within the 3D Print and Additive Manufacturing (AM) industry, and moved to provide PPE solutions to government customers. Read more or view available PPE on the Acquisition Gateway.

GSA’s BMO Solution The Building Maintenance and Operations (BMO) solution is a comprehensive and flexible suite of contracts Unrestricted and Small Business covering high-demand facilities maintenance services. It is an open market, multiple-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity government-wide Best in Class (BIC) contract vehicle. Contracts in Zones 1-6 are available for use. Please visit the BMO website for a list of services and zones that are covered under BMO. As a BIC vehicle, BMO supports the spend under management initiative to reduce costs and drive efficient purchasing by federal agencies. Contact the BMO Team for a complimentary scope review.

COVID-19 Acquisition Policy Training In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, FAI has collaborated with OFPP and GSA to develop a new training to support the acquisition community. This online training provides summarized information and resources to help personnel meet agencies’ missions during this emergency. With the increasing amount of guidance and policy released in response to the current pandemic, it is important to be aware of the flexibilities, guidance, and tools that are available. Receive 1 CLP by registering in FAITAS for FCL-A-0019 - COVID-19 Acquisition Policy Training and taking this course.

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