The following is the podcast of Social Web Radio from Wednesday, January 12, 2011.

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The following is the podcast of Social Web Radio from Wednesday, January 5, 2011.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Though the cuts to Defense Department funding is a close second, the shock of GTSI’s suspension by the Small Business Administration from receiving new procurement work on October 1st reverberated through the government contracting space. Though the suspension lasted just a few weeks and has since been lifted, the allegations GTSI improperly subcontracted through other firms to gain access to contracts set aside for small companies caused significant damage to its reputation and led to the resignation of its CEO. According to analysts, this was the most significant suspension of a top-tier contractor that many in the industry can remember, helping to make it our #1 story of 2010.

Why did the suspension of GTSI mean so much to the GovCon space?

Click to read the full story on GovWin.com

In 2010, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced his plan to cut 10 percent in spending on support contractors and overall spending cuts over 5 years totalling over $100 billion. The move has not been without controversy in the government contractor community, the military and among political leaders. For starters, Gates proposal includes dismantling of Joint Forces Command based in Norfolk, VA, which impacts thousands of jobs. The proposed cuts on contractor work, which is expected to roll some work to full-time government positions, also is being felt across the country.

Click to read the full story on GovWin.com

The leaking of sensitive government documents and spread of content online has renewed some emphasis on security and increased some restrictions on what government employees can view online at work, what people can access and how easy data can be transported and shared.

Why does it matter to the GovCon space?

Click to read the full story on GovWin.com

INPUT conducted its CTS Teaming seminar on Wednesday, December 14th in Tysons Corner, VA.

Before the matching took place, I had a chance to speak with Alexander Rossino, a Principal Analyst with INPUT’s Federal Information Services division, on what CTS is all about, what are some key attributes of companies interested in this opportunity and what the time-frame was for the contract from start to finish.

According to Alex:

• CTS is an effort to consolidate various Army contracts into one contract and expand the number of vendors
• Tap into companies with key specialties in fiber optics, electronics, satellite communications, and ground-based networking like cabling and LAN implementation
• Draft RFP is scheduled to be released on or around December 17th

For more information, click to access the Army CTS Teaming Center.

Click below to view video interview.

The Obama administration has pushed over the last couple of years to increase insourcing or the hiring of direct government employees over contractors. In 2010, the debate over “insourcing vs. outsourcing” seemed to intensify, with contractors and groups expressing their displeasure, and the government trying to soften the impact of their policies. Still, government officials continue to be focused on bringing work back into agencies.

Why it matters to the GovCon space?

Click to read the full story on GovWin.com

Though a recent development in 2010, the decision to freeze pay to all civilian federal employees, including those working at the Department of Defense (excluding military personnel), was an important and newsworthy development. Political leaders felt pressure from voters, many of whom are concerned about high unemployment and the growing budget deficit. Analysts predict that the freeze will save more than $5 billion over two years, $28 billion over five years and over $60 billion in the next 10 years.

Why it matters to the GovCon space?

Click to read the full story on GovWin.com

The Eastern District Court has ruled that individual mandates, a key provision of the recently passed health care legislation, is unconstitutional. Judge Henry E. Hudson’s ruling does not impact other aspects of the health care law, including electronic health records.

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A ruling on one of several challenges to the constitutionality of the new healthcare legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Obama is expected today in Richmond, Va, from District Judge Henry Hudson.

The case before Hudson, pressed by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, is focused on whether or not Congress has the authority to require most Americans carry health insurance or pay a fee. The Obama administration has repeatedly maintained that no fewer than three clauses of the Constitution give Congress the power to require an individual mandate. Opponents of the legislation hope that a more conservative interpretation of the Constitution will lead to the law being struck down – with an eventual decision coming in the Supreme Court.

Should Judge Hudson strike down the law, he is not expected to grant an injunction, which would prevent the law from taking effect. The provision in the law creating the individual mandate does not take effect until 2014, which reduces the sense of urgency – diminishing the need for an injunction.

The decision today is not expected to drastically alter efforts by the Obama administration in other efforts to modernize healthcare technology and make other moves to expand electronic health records, standardization of data and other efforts.

A ruling on one of several challenges to the constitutionality of the new healthcare legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Obama is expected today in Richmond, Va, from District Judge Henry Hudson.

The case before Hudson, pressed by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, is focused on whether or not Congress has the authority to require most Americans carry health insurance or pay a fee. The Obama administration has repeatedly maintained that no fewer than three clauses of the Constitution give Congress the power to require an individual mandate. Opponents of the legislation hope that a more conservative interpretation of the Constitution will lead to the law being struck down – with an eventual decision coming in the Supreme Court.

Should Judge Hudson strike down the law, he is not expected to grant an injunction, which would prevent the law from taking effect. The provision in the law creating the individual mandate does not take effect until 2014, which reduces the sense of urgency – diminishing the need for an injunction.

The decision today is not expected to drastically alter efforts by the Obama administration in other efforts to modernize healthcare technology and make other moves to expand electronic health records, standardization of data and other efforts.