Federal Content
2012 Keating Report on government budgets and spending
The 2012 Keating Report covers federal and state budgets, public private partnerships, local government budget trends, government construction and government spending....
Federal government going for broke
Federal revenues will rise to $2.64 trillion in 2012, up from $2.31 trillion in 2011, the Congressional Budget Office says....
GSA contract delivers preventive and emergency maintenance services
Emerson Network Power service offerings now can be procured through a federal government contract offered by the General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Supply Schedule 056, Building and Building Material/Industrial Services and Supplies, better known as GSA 56....
Where teleworking is headed in 2012
There is no shortage of research on teleworking or telecommuting trends in government. American City & County, Govpro’s sister publication, conducted a survey that included telework questions. HR expert Steve Oppermann also comments on teleworking....
HUD dollars will spruce up public housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that it will be awarding $110 million in grants for revitalizing communities and transforming public and assisted housing. ...
Affordable kiosks ensure ADA compliance in government facilities
Kiosk Group, Inc. has modified its collection of iPad kiosks to comply with new ADA requirements that take effect this March. ...
Army installation to get energy-saving makeover
The U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss will get a solar energy installation and other energy efficiency improvements that are expected to save the post $39 million in energy costs over the next 24 years. Johnson Controls won the federal contract for the Fort Bliss work. ...
Energy efficiency program can create jobs, says Golden State executive
The Department of Energy has selected Ygrene Energy Fund to serve as a financial ally in support of the Better Buildings Challenge energy efficiency program....
State and local governments have key role in Obama $4 billion energy efficiency program
In early December, the White House announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next two years. The investments, part of the president’s Better Building Initiative (BBI), aim to reduce energy costs, help the U.S. gain energy independence, and, according to some estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the depressed construction sector. One participant is Bob Hinkle, CEO of Metrus Energy....
GSA weighs in on the White House’s $4 billion energy efficiency program for buildings
Earlier this month, the president announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next two years. U.S. General Services Administrator Martha Johnson said the president’s building initiative will improve the energy efficiency of the federal building portfolio. ...
Government groups oppose reductions in Community Development Block Grants
Local government officials are voicing outrage at cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program that were included in the “minibus” appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012 recently signed by President Obama....
Government workers: beware of the Hatch Act
The founders of the FedSmith.com federal workplace portal have shared their opinions on several topics with Govpro.com. In Part 4, Ralph Smith describes the comments readers post on the portal about salaries, benefits and campaigning....
It’s on to the House after Senate votes to repeal 3 percent withholding provision
By a vote of 95-0, the U.S. Senate has passed bipartisan legislation to repeal a federal mandate that would have required federal, state and local governments to withhold 3 percent of certain payments to contractors and other vendors who do business with the government. ...
It’s good business for governments to support veteran-owned businesses with contracts, says NaVOBA
There are several reasons why governments should issue supply contracts to qualified veteran-owned businesses (VOBs), says Matthew Pavelek, director of communications at the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)....
Some federal agencies ban social media, says FedSmith
Ralph and Ian Smith of the FedSmith.com federal workplace portal follow technology trends among federal government agencies. Here, they offer their views to Govpro.com about the federal government’s use of social media, phones and other technology. ...
U.S. House members rely on video chat tools
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and staff are now permitted to use Skype, an online video-chatting tool, following a decision by the House Administration Committee. ...
FedSmith: Federal workers need tools and technology to be more productive
In Part 1 of our interview, Ralph and Ian Smith of the FedSmith.com federal workplace portal spoke of the “targeting” of government workers because of the budget problems that Congress and federal agencies are facing today. In this second part of the interview, the Smiths cover a variety of topics of interest to government employees....
Increased buying activity as the federal fiscal year winds down
The federal government’s fiscal year ends next Friday, Sept. 30, and Govpro sniffed around to see if federal contracting activity is increasing as the fiscal year draws to a close. According to an estimate from American Express OPEN, federal agencies could spend an estimated $120 billion in the last quarter this fiscal year....
FedSmith: Federal workers feel like ‘targets’
For federal workers and anyone interested in federal government activities, FedSmith.com is a useful interactive information portal. Govpro.com caught up with Ralph and Ian to learn more about FedSmith’s role in the federal workplace. ...
Trade groups endorse Obama jobs proposal
Several local government and infrastructure associations are calling on Congress to quickly pass President Obama's proposed American Jobs Act (AJA). AJA's focus on infrastructure construction, renewing the Build America Bonds program and green building drew particularly favorable responses....
Last-minute tips as the end of the federal fiscal year approaches
As the curtain comes down on the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30, Neil Gordon, owner of Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.-based Decorating with Fabric, will do what he always does to land last-minute federal business. “It all comes down to networking — getting out there, meeting prospects, getting business cards and capturing e-mails. About 95 out of 100 jobs I get are from relationships, and that’s for all types of business, and government contracts are no different.”...
Fleets: Electric vehicle producer sees opportunity in Obama fleet directive
At least one vehicle producer, Azure Dynamics, is excited about the recent White House announcement directing managers of federal fleets to buy 100-percent alternative fuel, hybrid or electric vehicles by 2015. The federal government operates a fleet of more than 600,000 vehicles, and buys 60,000 to 70,000 cars annually through GSA....
Businesses: look for opportunities as federal fiscal year winds down
Congress’ last-minute work on the budget will have an impact on procurement as the end of the 2011 federal fiscal year approaches on Sept. 30, says Lourdes Martin-Rosa, an advisor on government contracting at New York-based American Express OPEN. Due to the late passage of the fiscal 2011 budget, the race to exhaust the remaining funds — estimated at $120 billion — is fiercer this fourth quarter than last year’s....
Expert: Landing federal sales is a year-round task
As the federal fiscal year draws to a close on Sept. 30, Govpro.com reached out to government market expert Jennifer Schaus about end-of-fiscal-year strategies for vendors to the federal government. Schaus directs Jennifer Schaus & Associates....
Federal agencies are expanding telework opportunities
In response to the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, federal agencies were required to take some initial steps to implement telework programs for employees. In Washington state, government telework programs are expanding in 2011, says Mike Brady, IT project manager in the state’s Department of Social and Health Services. ...
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