January 12, 2021
ACQUISITION ALERT
UPCOMING EVENTS
1/20/21
Acquisition Hour: beta.SAM.gov - An Update and Overview
Webinar

1/22/21
Cyber Friday: Overview of CMMC Level 1
Webinar
1/28/21
13th Annual End of Year Federal Contractor Update - Virtual
Webinar

2/2/21
FAR Evening Study Group - Session 1: Intro & FAR Part 16
Webinar
January 26, 2021

Cyber Security is No Longer Optional - Webinar


As the calendar year closes the door on 2020, the New Year ushers in new Federal Cyber Security Requirements. This webinar will address key questions business executives should ask and discuss concerning cyber risks to their companies and the importance of using a common cybersecurity framework such as NIST 800-171 or CISecurity controls to protect their systems and business information.

This free event is being presented in partnership with the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation and the City of Oshkosh at no cost to attendees.
January 28, 2021

13th Annual End Of Year Federal Update – Virtual


Join Wisconsin’s Federal contractors and subcontractors for this annual event. Keep up to date with this series of briefings focusing on changes and challenges in DOD/ Federal contracting. In partnership with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) WI Chapter and National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Great Lakes Chapter. 
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its FY 2021 Phase I Release 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA 

On Monday, December 14, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its FY 2021 Phase I Release 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Eligible small business can apply to receive approximately $200,000 to test their innovative ideas over 12 months. Small businesses that receive SBIR/STTR awards keep the rights to any technology developed and are encouraged to commercialize the technology.

OTHER SBIR – STTR Opportunities
IoT Device Cybersecurity Guidance for the Federal Government: Establishing IoT Device Cybersecurity Requirements

NIST Seeks Comments on Four Draft Documents Offering Guidance on IoT Device Cybersecurity: Establishing IoT Device Cybersecurity Requirements - Published: Dec 2020 - Comments Due: Feb 12, 2021
National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)

The Federal Register published the final rule titled “National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)” (32 CFR part 117) today. The NISPOM establishes requirements for the protection of classified information disclosed to or developed by contractors, licensees, grantees, or certificate holders to prevent unauthorized disclosure. The rule will become effective February 24, 2021, and authorizes the contractor no more than 6 months to comply with changes from the effective date of the rule.  
Verification of Eligibility for the Women-Owned Small Business Program 

Effective immediately, contracting officers shall use the following procedure in lieu of the procedures at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.1503(b) through (d) to verify the eligibility of a concern for a set-aside or sole-source award under the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. Contracting officers shall verify in the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) that the concern is designated as an economically disadvantaged women-owned small business concern (EDWOSB) or as a WOSB concern eligible for the WOSB Program. A concern is not eligible for a set-aside or sole-source award under the WOSB program unless designated as either an EDWOSB or WOSB in DSBS.

If you need assistance with your WOSB or EDWOSB certifications, contact Kim Garber at KimG@wispro.org or 608-444-0047
GAO Bid Protest Annual Report to Congress for Fiscal Year 2020

During the 2020 fiscal year, we received 2,149 cases: 2,052 protests, 56 cost claims, and 41 requests for reconsideration. We closed 2,137 cases during the fiscal year, 2,024 protests, 66 cost claims, and 47 requests for reconsideration. Of the 2,137 cases closed, 417 were attributable to GAO’s bid protest jurisdiction over task orders. Enclosed for your information is a chart comparing bid protest activity for fiscal years 2016-2020. 
Air Force Plans A ’21st Century IT Store’

The Air Force is launching a new program to offer all of its IT tools in one place. Dubbed the “21st Century IT Store,” the idea is to make getting a computer in the Air Force as easy as it is at a mall. Lauren Knausenberger, Deputy CIO for the Air Force, said the announcement would come with an industry day in January or February next year.
OMFV: Army Wants Your Weird Ideas For Bradley Replacement 

The Army has redesigned its Request For Proposals to replace the Bradley troop carrier to give industry “maximum latitude” to innovate, Brig. Gen. Richard Coffman told reporters this morning. It’s even removed all classified data to let foreign companies participate fully. But one thing will be absolutely mandatory: compliance with a new set of technical standards and interfaces – known as a Modular Open Systems Architecture – that the service is developing for all its future combat vehicles.
Army planning looks to 2030 and beyond 

Current business opportunities are published to https://beta.sam.gov and near term opportunities may be found in Agency Forecasts. However, these are not the only two information sources that can be used for information related to procurements. Strategic Priorities align to National interests and goals and various Plans support the requirements of strategic priorities. This information does not pinpoint opportunities but it can highlight needs and requirements that can help interested companies ask questions, identify outreach sessions to attend and focus research efforts as the following quoted text from an Army article shows. 

To assist your business in developing your strategic plan, contact Marc Violante at marcv@wispro.org 
Which Depots Can Army Modernize? 

From new contract structures to robotic safety tools, Army Materiel Command is working on an ambitious master plan to modernize its arsenals, depots, and ammunition plants. That means everything from new contract structures to robotics. But, AMC commander Gen. Ed Daly assured me — and, indirectly, the congressional Depot Caucus — the objective is to retrain the workforce, not reduce it.
The latest version of the beta.SAM.gov Update newsletter (December 2020) is now available

The new edition has articles covering the upcoming transition of SAM.gov into beta.SAM.gov, recent improvements and changes at the Federal Service Desk (FSD.gov), and Product Service Codes (PSC) updates and changes.
Final Rule: Independent Contractor Status under the Fair Labor Standards Act

On January 6, 2021, the Department of Labor (Department) announced a final rule clarifying the standard for employee versus independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The effective date of the final rule is March 8, 2021.
New WPI Virtual Knowledge Outreach (VKO) Series

WPI has added the first two videos from the VIRTUAL KNOWLEDGE OUTREACH (VKO) series to our YouTube Channel. You can access these videos through the following links VKO – Capabilities Statements and General Virtual Presence and VKO – Elevator Pitch Deep Dive Additional presentations will be posted as they become available. 

For additional assistance with developing your capabilities statement or preparing to meet with Government or Prime contractor representatives, contact Kim Garber at kimg@wispro.org or Steve Makovec at SteveM@wispro.org 
2021 FAR Evening Study Sessions
Presented by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA Wisconsin) and WPI
  • February 2, 2021 - Intro & FAR Part 16
  • February 9, 2021 - FAR Parts 1-4
  • February 16, 2021 - FAR Parts 5-12
  • February 23, 2021 - FAR Parts 13-18
  • March 2, 2021 - FAR Parts 19-29
  • March 9, 2021 - FAR Parts 30-33
  • March 16, 2021 - FAR Parts 34-41
  • March 23, 2021 - FAR Parts 42-53
FAR, Up Close Series
  • February 10, 2021 - Overview of the FAR
  • February 17, 2021 - FAR Regulations and Clauses on Subcontracting
  • March 3, 2021 - FAR Regulations and Clauses in Commercial Items
  • March 10, 2021 - FAR and DFARS Regulations and Clauses in Manufacturing Contracts
  • March 17, 2021 - FAR Regulations and Clauses in Federal Service Contracts
  • April 7, 2021 - FAR Clauses in Federal Construction Services
  • April 14, 2021 - FAR Regulations for Procurement of Architect Engineer Services
Other News
  • Be sure to follow WPI on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter) for regular updates on events, news and opportunities.
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Newsletter Editor: Doug Clemons, dougc@wispro.org