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....
Webinar shows how to minimize turf equipment downtime
Three experts will show how web-based systems can simplify maintenance of grounds equipment and save time and money in the process. The online session, titled “Minimize Turf Equipment Downtime,” takes place Thursday, Sept. 29 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. ...
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. ...
Public purchasing group issues planning roadmap for the procurement process
The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) has developed a planning roadmap for the procurement process designed to address issues government agencies are facing in the current economic downturn. NIGP’s 2011 Vision Map for Public Procurement, released last week, identifies current and future issues and recommends actions to prepare procurement organizations for lower revenue sources, complicated political conditions, workforce reductions and the increasing focus on local and sustainable purchasing. ...
’Playful City USA’ communities announced
A total of 151 cities and towns have been named 2011 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children. The national non-profit KaBOOM! selected the cities as part of its program to help local governments ensure that youngsters have the time and space they need to play. ...
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.”...
Fast-growing MPA degree program in San Antonio
Enrollment in the MPA degree program at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has doubled over the past decade. The program started with around 70 students enrolled in 2000. Today, more than 160 students are earning their MPAs at UTSA. ...
We Remember: Govpro looks back at our 9/11 coverage through the years
Here are links to a few of the 9/11 articles from Govpro.com over the past 10 years that address a variety of security, preparedness and health topics....
A look back: Firefighters and emergency crews remember 9/11
Members of the fire service look back at 9/11 and observe changes that have taken place as a result of the events that day....
North Carolina city chooses time and attendance monitoring tool
Greensboro, N.C., has selected a workforce management system from Kronos Inc. to control labor costs, minimize compliance risk and improve productivity....
It’s time to start thinking about leaf pickup
Removing autumn leaf litter is a costly proposition for municipal governments. The city of Scarsdale, N.Y., spends approximately $600,000 annually for collection and disposal of autumn leaves. This article discusses some leaf litter disposal techniques, such as mulching and the direct application of leaf litter from municipal shade trees to agricultural land....
How to replace procurement pros who are retiring
In the coming years, an increasing number of government purchasing and procurement professionals will be nearing retirement age. According to the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, 16 percent of its members are more than 60 years old, and 41 percent are between the ages of 50-59. The retirement wave is accompanied by an increased demand for efficiency and performance from state and local government procurement programs as a result of the budget crisis. Automation and simplification can help compensate for expected staff losses....
Facility managers: Do a green cleaning checkup each year to maintain a healthful environment
Schools, universities and other institutions should assess their green cleaning programs and determine where improvements can be made. Even in this bad economy, green innovations are accelerating. This is good news for children and those with pre-existing health conditions, cleaning personnel and the environment at-large. New green products and services are reducing not only harmful impacts on the environment, but also consumption and cost....
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....
Eco-labeling program announces revised standard for hard surface cleaners
The EcoLogo Program has released its revised environmental standard for hard surface cleaners that limits products containing asthmagens or chemicals known to trigger or aggravate asthma, a disease affecting 25 million Americans and one in 10 school-aged children....
Denver hosts this year’s “Best Show in Public Works”
More than 6,000 public works professionals will gather Sept. 18–21 for the 2011 APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver....
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....
Slight drop reported in August 2011 Municipal Cost Index
The costs of goods and services purchased by local governments decreased 0.1 percent from last month, according to American City & County's Municipal Cost Index. The August 2011 Municipal Cost Index value of 222.7 is 4.9 percent higher than last year. ...
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....
Location tracker for firefighters will deliver in 2012
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate announced that a firefighter location-tracking technology has graduated from research and development and is ready for market after nearly a decade of extensive testing by engineers and fire departments....
Alliance chooses eProcurement platform for its multi-state purchasing setup
The Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) has selected SciQuest’s eProcurement solution as the platform for its multi-state purchasing consortium. With SciQuest, WSCA will create an online marketplace to enhance end-user buying activities, increase collaboration between states, improve strategic purchasing and expand visibility into spending....
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. ...
Heat-index app aims to prevent heat-related illnesses
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is making available a free application for mobile devices that will enable workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites. With the information from the app, work crews can avoid and prevent heat-related illnesses. ...
NIGP Forum calls on procurement pros to capitalize on excellence
The 2011 NIGP Forum and Products Exposition takes place at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., near Washington, from Aug. 25-29. The host of the event is the Herndon, Va.-based National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)....
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