GTSC Annual Ethics Training for Government Contractors – September 6
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GTSC Annual Ethics Training for Government Contractors – September 6

When:
September 6, 2018
8:30am-12:00pm
Location:
E3 Federal
8281 Greensboro Drive
McLean, VA 22102
No excuses!  Every business must train their employees to behave ethically — and GTSC is here to MAKE IT EASY! Attend and send all of your employees to this training to get your annual ethics training certification.
Please note:  attendance is required for the entire session. There is a sign-in and sign-out sheet that must have your signature on both lines to receive certification.
Doing business with the federal government requires a heightened level of commitment to ethics and compliance. Though the specific FAR requirements for small and large businesses differ, the FAR requires all businesses to conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity and honesty.  It states all businesses should have an employee business ethics and compliance training program that is suitable to the size of the company and extent of its involvement in Government contracting and that facilitates timely discovery and disclosure of improper conduct and ensures corrective measures are promptly instituted and carried out.  (FAR 3.1002).

The majority of the headlines we see about non-compliance are related to weak ethical cultures and in many cases, a simple lack of training. Both can result in catastrophic business events.  Proper training in ethics is not only required for certain contractors, it serves a vital preventive role.  If the unthinkable does happen, a strong ethics and compliance program including effective training in critical compliance risk areas an act as a shield for your company.  For example, the actions taken by Ed Snowden were every contractor’s worst nightmare.  However, Booz Allen Hamilton was able to highlight in its public statement that his actions were contrary to its corporate values, internal policies, and its code of conduct – on which he had been trained.

Is your company positioned to say the same?  If your company finds itself out of compliance, the training your company can show its employees completed may make the difference between no adverse action and suspension or even debarment.

This half-day training session covers risk areas common to most contractors, regardless of industry or size.  Even if you have not yet landed a qualifying contract for the FAR ethics program requirements, there is no better time than now to competitively position your company to enhance your business’ reputation for compliant and ethical business practices.  

Upon completing this training, GTSC will certify that you and your employees in attendance have completed annual training as required by FAR 52.203-13(c)(1).

REGISTER HERE!

Sign up for your FREE HSToday Subject Matter Newsletters
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Sign up for your FREE HSToday Subject Matter Newsletters

When GTSC purchase HSToday last fall we focused on developing the most comprehensive collection of news on homeland security in the nation.  We are thrilled with the response from the community as we build this “for us, by us” site to educate those in homeland security about the latest activity in Congress, the Federal agencies, states and localities.  As a GTSC member we have NOT automatically signed you up for the subject matter newsletters.  HSToday covers Border Security, Counterterrorism, Cybersecurity, Education & Training, Maritime/USCG, First Responders & Emergency Management, Government Contracting and a Weekly Roundup of all the news.

To get any of these newsletters, sign up here.

GTSC Releases 5th Anniversary Annual Report
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GTSC Releases 5th Anniversary Annual Report

The Government Technology & Services Coalition today released its 5th Anniversary Annual Report, a review of activities in 2016 and a look at the people, companies, and organizations that have contributed to the growth and contributions of the Coalition.

In 2011, the Coalition was formed to provide small companies working in homeland and national security a “voice” in the Federal procurement and acquisition process. Since then, the organization has grown to over 130 companies representing small, mid-tier and large companies interested in bringing the best companies to the mission of homeland and national security.

Since GTSC’s inception they have launched numerous programs and initiatives aimed at ACTION. Not more words or platitudes, but tangible efforts to improve how our government finds and engages the innovation represented by GTSC members.

“It is exciting to see the tremendous amount of innovation being applied today within the homeland security sector,” said Michael Chertoff, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of The Chertoff Group. “It is through innovative technology developments, creative thinking and new approaches – exactly what GTSC members represent – that we are able to bring forward “best-in-class” solutions to help the federal government better protect our homeland and the safety of our citizens.”

Read the report here.

4/16: GTSC on Capitol Hill
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4/16: GTSC on Capitol Hill

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT
GTSC invites members to join us for our Annual GTSC Capitol Hill Day where we will visit with Members of Congress (MOC) and staff on key Congressional Committee’s and States/Congressional districts where individual GTSC members have a footprint.  The purpose of this day is to (1) familiarize you with the inner workings of Congress and how it might impact your bottom line; 2) familiarize Congress with your work in their State/Congressional districts; and (3) familiarize Congress with issues that are important to the GTSC and its members.

While we spend a significant amount of time learning about the Executive branch –specifically DHS and other federal security agencies who have a need for our member’s services– we have only scratched the surface on our work with the Legislative branch.  All too often, those doing business with federal agencies forget the impact Congress can have on agency operations and programs.  While we are all painfully familiar with the impact of the government shutdown, beyond government shutdowns, we tend to forget that Congress has a say in every federal program, project and activity –particularly when it comes to funding.  Simply stated:  without Congress, agencies would have neither the authority nor the funding to enter in to contracts with you!

We hope you can join us for a day of educating MOCs and staff about your business, the importance of small and medium businesses in the homeland security space, and the GTSC.

We ask that you sign up ASAP.  REGISTER.  With the assistance of Cornerstone Government Affairs (www.cgagroup.com), we will schedule meetings, prepare meeting materials, attend the meetings with you, and give you a quick tutorial on “how to get the most from your Capitol Hill meeting”.

Tentative Agenda:

 8:00-9:00 a.m:  Convene at Cornerstone Government Affairs (coffee and bagels provided):

  • 20 minute tutorial on “how to get the most from your Capitol Hill meeting”
  • Review meeting materials
  • Receive your meeting schedule
  • Meet your Cornerstone Government Affairs professional who will escort you around the Hill for the day.

9:30-5:00:  Meetings with MOCs/Staff begin.  Each meeting can be expected to last between 15-30 minutes and will take place on both the House and Senate sides of the Capitol in multiple office buildings.  Be prepared to walk and talk…though not necessarily at the same time.

Join us to fulfill the mission of having a voice for our members in homeland and national security!

GTSC Honors Exemplary Members
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GTSC Honors Exemplary Members

In addition to honoring CBP’s Charles Armstrong at this year’s anniversary, the Coalition also took the opportunity to recognize numerous outstanding members and advisors who have contributed to the vision and mission of the organization, including:

Julie Barth, L-3 STRATIS; Dr. Steven Bucci, The Heritage Foundation; Mary-Claire Burick, MC Strategy; Robert Burton, Venable LLP; Bill Carroll, Strike Force Consulting Services; Brad Cole, Agilex; Dr. Sherilyne Dougherty, DAI; Rob Edmonds, Uniplus Consulting; Brian Finch, Dickstein Shapiro LLP; Nicole Geller, GCS, Inc.; K. Eileen Giglio, WAGsolutions, Inc.; Chris Gorman, The Efiia Group; Mila Halpine, Cognivault, LLC; Scott Halpine, Cognivault, LLC; Earl Holland, Growth Strategy Consultants; Stephen Howard, TecPort Solutions, Inc.; Tom Hughes, Datamaxx Group; Laura Jones, SAIC; Robert V. Jones, PReSafe Technologies, Inc.; Mike Kelly, TASC; Sara Kindsfrater-Yerkes, TeamCatapult; Victoria Laing, Linda LeFevbre, NCI, Inc.; RADM Don Loren, Old Dominion Strategies; Lisa Martin, LeapFrog Solutions, Inc.; Michelle Mrdeza, MXM Consultng LLC; Brian Nault, BlueWater Federal Solutions, Inc.; Anne Petera, Harris; Kathy Pherson, Pherson Associates, LLC; Wayne Pizer, L-3 Communications; Larry Pokroy, VisionOnline; John Rothenberger, SE Solutions, Inc.; Ravi Singh, Deosi, LLC; Carmine Taglialatela, TecPort Solutions, Inc.; Chani Wiggins, Winn Strategies; and Chuck Winwood.
OMB Issues Policy Memorandum to Provide Prompt Payment to Small Business Subcontractors
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OMB Issues Policy Memorandum to Provide Prompt Payment to Small Business Subcontractors

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a Policy Memoranda M-12-16 providing for the prompt payment to small business subcontractors. The Memoranda establishes a one-year initiative to temporarily accelerate Federal payments to prime contractors so they are able to expedite payments to their small business subcontractors. DHS has issues a Federal Acquisition Regulation deviation to allow DHS contracting officers to insert a new contract clause to DHS contracts, solicitations and resultant contracts. The new clause requires prime contractors, upon receipt of accelerated payments from the government to make accelerated payments to small business contractors to the maximum extent practicable after receipt of proper invoice and dcoumentation from the subcontractor. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council has opened a case to undertake a rule making and obtain public comment to further implement OMB’s policy.

The full Memoranda is available here.

OPM seeking veterans for Contract Specialist Positions
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OPM seeking veterans for Contract Specialist Positions

OPM is currently seeking veterans for several Contract Specialist positions – GS-1102-7/9-13. I am hoping that you can post the following to your vast network of veterans, to include students veterans(recent graduates)

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is currently seeking resumes of veterans for an entry level position Contract Specialist (1102 series) GS-7/9-13. The position will be filled at the GS-7 or 9 with promotion potential to GS-13. The position is located in the Washington, DC area. Relocation expenses will not be authorized. If interested please submit resume, DD-214, transcripts and VA-letter (if applicable) to [email protected]: subject line Contract Specialist. Failure to submit all required documentation by June 3, 2012 will result in your not being considered.

Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee employment. If found qualified for the position and you are considered, the HR Office will reach out to you directly. My office does not have access to applicant records and therefore, may not be able to provide you with the status of your resume once received. You should continue to apply online to those positions you feel you qualify for.

For information about the education requirements visit: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1100/1102.htm. You must meet the education requirements for consideration.

For general information about the 1102 series visit: http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/gs1102.pdf.