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Maximize your competitive edge to win more MAC task orders
Brenda Crist Civil & GovernmentA small group of awardees on a given MAC will earn the lion’s share of the total value of all MAC awards. For example, the top 15 MAC incumbents in fiscal year 2017 earned nearly 21 percent of all MAC dollars spent. To further underscore this point, the top 10 businesses on Alliant Small Business and CIO-SP3 Small Business earned 50 percent of all contract dollars in FY17. So, how do a select group of companies earn most of the dollars on a given MAC, and what can other companies learn from their success?
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GIS plays expanding role at the Centers for Disease Control
Bill Becken Medical & Allied HealthcareIn the last few years, geographic information systems (GIS), geography, geospatial science and visualization have been applied much more often in the public health work of the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A major operating component of the federal, cabinet-level Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CDC is the principal government agency charged with conducting and maintaining a wide range of critical public health activities.
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Harley-Davidson move shows the consequences of EU tariffs
Seth Sandronsky ManufacturingTo counter the rise of European Union (EU) tariffs from 6 percent to 31 percent on U.S.-made products, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the famed company is shifting some production overseas. "These tariffs, which became effective June 22, 2018, were imposed in response to the tariffs the U.S. imposed on steel and aluminum exported from the EU to the U.S.," Harley-Davidson announced in a filing. In early May, the Trump administration announced the tariffs of foreign-made aluminum and steel to enhance U.S. economic and national security.
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Frozen-out north? The chilling of US-Canada trade
Delany Martinez ManufacturingOf all the potential trade war scenarios that forecasters murmured over in the current administration, the prospect for Canada to be involved was, at the very least, low on the list. After an unprecedented announcement of a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum and a staggering 25 percent tariff on imported steel by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross back in May, Canada's nigh-legendary reputation of politeness began to slip a bit.
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What do you do after winning a MAC?
Brenda Crist Civil & GovernmentWinning a MAC presents a terrific opportunity to grow your company and should not be squandered. Government contractors won't win a sizable share of MAC tasks orders just waiting around for them to drop — it takes careful planning and preparation right from the start. Statistics across MACs indicate the top 10 contractors receive most or all contract awards, approximately 20 percent of contractors will win less than $10 million, and a few will win zero task orders, as indicated by Alliant’s results. So, if you’ve been lucky enough to win a MAC recently, consider implementing these 10 tips to jump-start your competitive advantage.
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New report shows reimbursement increases for brand-name drugs in Medicare…
Scott E. Rupp PharmaceuticalThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has released a much-publicized report that shows that from 2011 to 2015, total reimbursement for brand-name drugs in Medicare Part D increased 77 percent even though there was an actually decrease in utilization for these drugs. Per the report, overall, Part D paid $382 billion for all brand-name drugs for the period mentioned. The total number of prescriptions for brand-name drugs decreased 17 percent, from 229 million in 2011 to 191 million in 2015.
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Shelter or asset class? The financialization of housing
Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building MaterialsSeveral years ago, a picture was taken at night of the One Hyde Park development in London. The building is home to some of the world’s most expensive real estate, reaping in up to $180 million for a single apartment. In the photo, there was not a single light on in the gleaming tower. Because no one lives there. As real estate prices continue to steadily rise, seemingly endlessly, we have seen the concept of a "home" become divorced from its original purpose as shelter, and becoming instead a financial asset class in built form.
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Labor Dept. rules expand AHPs, in further blow to Obamacare
Seth Sandronsky Healthcare AdministrationThe Trump administration’s Department of Labor on June 19 issued a final rule that lets groups of small businesses offer Association Health Plans (AHPs), which are health insurance plans that sidestep some provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. "Every American should be able to get comprehensive health care coverage they can afford, and we support the goal of increasing competition and choice in ways that improve affordability," said Kristine Grow, senior vice president of communications for America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a national trade association, in a statement.
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How to create a plan with a predetermined deadline
Deborah Ike Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIdeally, when you receive an assignment as the project manager for a new effort, you have the opportunity to create a project plan based on the tasks required to complete the work and how long it will take to complete those tasks. That should result in a project plan with a realistic deadline based on the resources already on hand. However, this ideal situation doesn’t always happen. In fact, I’ve rarely experienced this option. Here are a few tips on how to proceed when you already have a deadline.
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A long road ahead for Heathrow expansion, despite optimism
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveIf anyone needed convincing on just how full London Heathrow airport is, the month of May saw a staggering 6.7 million travelers pass through, thanks mostly to a royal wedding and the start of the summer tourist season. So, when the U.K. government gave almost unanimous support for expansion on June 5, most of those who have to use the airport gave a sigh of relief. Yet, this 20-years-in-the-making saga has only taken a small step forward, and more agonizing hurdles could still blight the airport’s bid to expand and keep pace with its rivals in continental Europe.
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