Protecting senstive files is required by law by rarely accomplished because of the diversity of systems, communications, and receipents. Lost of intellectual property = econmic losses. There is a free, simple solution.

Encryption Wizard provides strong, fast, easy-to-use, granular file and folder encryption for storing/sharing FOUO, CUI, and other sensitive data. Encryption Wizard (EW) is a thin, free, portable, CAC-enabled, 128-bit AES, archive and compression optional, GOTS, Java app that needs no installation. EW comes in two fully-compatible editions: EW-Govt is FIPS 140-2 validated and accredited for Government networks; EW-Public can be downloaded by anyone at http://spi.dod.mil/ewizard.htm

Humans are notoriously terrible at estimating anything. This includes project managers and contracting officers when it comes to estimating a service contract’s length and cost. This is attributed to biases, over-confidence or lack thereof, and imperfect information.

But prediction markets provide an unbiased, accurate estimate which the service provider and contracting officer can use to set realistic delivery expectations and, if necessary, as a starting point for negotiation in a contract engagement. It also allows service providers to be more confident in their proposals and allows the buyer to ensure they are not being overcharged or undercharged with the risk of large change orders later.

This model would help move the government from fixed price contracts to less-expensive time and materials contracts (as others have mentioned in these forums).

Each large federal contract contains the requirement that the prime contractor submit a written Small Business Subcontracting Plan. At the current time, there is absolutely no transparency to these plans. Subcontractors should have the right to know if their names are included in these plans. The plans should be treated a public documents and should be published. FBO.gov could be used as the medium for publishing the plans, concurrent with the posting of the contract award notice.

This idea seems to have come up here and there. It would be very easy to modify FBO rather than create an entire new GPE system. Requirements posted on FBO should have a twitter function to keep vendors updated and would open up communication about the requirement between the Government and vendors. Vendors who flag themselves as "interested vendors" will be automatically signed up to future tweets. FBO could also incorporate Facebook tools, like posting pictures related to the requirement when applicable. Vendors should have profiles on FBO much like user profiles on Facebook, however their information on their profile will have information like DUNS / CAGE / links to ORCA and other pertinent information. Their profiles would also display information on USAspending.gov like other contracts they currently have with government agencies which will make market research a snap.

Update with example: Green Proposals broadcasts pre-bid meetings via webinar at no cost to the Agencies. As purchasing is being asked to do more with less GP developed a solution to allow the Agencies to work more efficiently and effectively while they maintain their commitment to sustainability, support transparency, and encourage diversity. GP provides all of the tools necessary to host a pre-bid meeting via webinar. The buyer need only insert a link into the RFP that takes the vendors to the Green Proposals registration page. GP takes care of the rest providing an electronic sign-in sheet, a vehicle to track Prime vs. Sub vendor participation as well as an audio/video replay of the meeting. Unlike most providers that bring services to Agencies, GP charges the vendors $79. per connection for our services. We are a very specialized e-procurement company bringing resources to a process that is filled with waste and abuse of natural resources as a result of conducting “business as usual”. Our research overwhelming shows that vendors welcome the opportunity to pay to participate in a pre-bid meeting knowing they are saving not only money but time away from the office and frequently their family while contributing to their carbon footprint left while traveling by whatever means necessary. The Metropolitan Water District has taken a step to change the way they conduct business: http://www.mwdh2o.com/mwdh2o/pages/business/business01.html.

TrackDailyGoals, while useful for project management and goal tracking, is unused for public accountability and transparency. It could have an amazing impact when a individual wants to see whether a specific person or agency is completing their daily goals and over what period of time.

The full case for it is laid out in the post below.

http://allthingssterling.com/twittering-for-contracts-transparency-with-trackdailygoals

Make better use of online tools to enhance competition.

Competition is good. Online competition is better. Let the bidders come to you as the Federal buyer. Use GSA eBuy and FedBid to enhance competition and get the best deal. Saves work, time, and money. The future is online procurement. Fed buyers need to take advantage of the existing opportunities. Why waste time and money? The future is already here -- go for it!

...require that all agencies maintain and archive their contract files in electronic format, according to common standards.This would save a lot of trees, as well as a lot of storage space for binders full of paper contract files. Signature copies can be scanned in or electronic signatures used, instead of requiring the hard copy to be kept on file. From a legal and regulatory standpoint, could a government-wide change to electronic contract files be allowed? Would electronic records suffice in protests or other court actions?

So often vendors find themselves in a position of seeing the need to attend a pre-bid yet not having the necessary funds to make the trip. The average cost to attend a meeting in 2009 is $1,039. Why not use a facilitator that will provide all participants with an electronic copy of meeting and sign in sheet. This is an efficient and effective way to allow more vendors from all parts of the country to be a part of the process while saving natural resources at the same time.