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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Buying Rules Stymie Innovation, Industry Tells DHS

Homeland Security Department contractors and would-be suppliers told the agency it is preventing them from providing truly innovative services and products, FCW reported Jan. 31. The department’s focus on complying with rules and specifying exact solutions crowd out creativity and risk-taking, they said during a Jan. 31 DHS reverse industry day.

Reverse industry days are designed to allow federal contractors to present their perspectives to agency procurement and program staff.

Barry West, DHS senior accountable officer for risk management, said contractors should let department procurement staff know when the requirements are unduly narrow in prescribing how work should be done or exact equipment to be used.

“It’s not just about going to see the CIO. You should be going to see the small business advocates, your procurement officers,” said West. “Because they play, in many cases, a more important role [in acquisition] than the CIO.”

Read more at FCW.

Buying Rules Stymie Innovation, Industry Tells DHS Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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