The search to reduce the government contractor's burden is underway, according to GSA.
The Office of Management and Budget is looking to reduce the reporting burdens, standardized processes and costs federal awardees undergo through a Federal Acquisition Regulation Data Collection Pilot. To implement the "multiphase, multifaceted" pilot, OMB has teamed up with the Chief Acquisition Officers Council, the Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration.
Phase 1, which began in May 2015, was a discussion hoping to inspire ideas and recommendations to effectively streamline reporting for federal contractors and grantees. Phase 2, which also began in May 2015, sought to gather recommendations for simplifying the recipients of federal grants and contracts reporting burdens.
The pilot, which goes through March 2018, seeks to find and implement the best solution that relieves the federal awardee's burdens.
The pilot focus has three objectives to complete:
- A review of recommendations submitted through the National Dialogue (phase 1);
- The development of a prototype central portal and collection tool for the required reports; and
- Testing the prototype portal by collecting select reports currently being submitted across the federal government, beginning with those required under the FAR 22.406-6.
The goal of the pilot program is to provide contractors doing business with the federal government a central location that will efficiently and effectively receive the required reports. This central location would replace the current system, which requires reports to be submitted to multiple locations as well as to each contracting officer. By reducing the burden contractors face, the need to duplicate data via email or hard copies is not necessary.
To participate in the pilot program, reach out to your contracting officer and have them contact the pilot program at
.
Rachael Kalinyak is an editorial intern with Network Solutions.
