Ellen Lord

• Pentagon says it needs billions to repay contractors for employee leave

  Contractors haven't submitted invoices yet, partly because no money is available. But DoD says the bill to repay vendors for their employees' paid leave will run into the double-digit billion dollar range.

  Defense

  June 11, 2020
• Are increase progress payments actually helping defense industry? Warren wants to know

  Sen. Elizabeth Warren is concerned funds won't make it to the subcontractors who need it most.

  Defense

  May 06, 2020
• DoD to deliver $3B in accelerated contractor payments over coming weeks

  The Pentagon told its contracting officers and contract administrators to boost the amount of money it pays vendors in the form of progress payments as one way to increase their cash flow amidst a sagging economy.

  DoD Reporter's Notebook

  May 04, 2020
• Coronavirus is hitting small defense companies, but there may be a silver lining

  Small defense businesses are laying off employees, but they may have an opportunity to grow with DoD.

  Defense

  April 28, 2020
• USPS sets up coronavirus supplies command center

  In today's Federal Newscast, a supplies command center has been established by the Postal Service, to help its employees get masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and other coronavirus supplies.

  Federal Newscast

  April 21, 2020
• DoD expects three month acquisition delays, billions in payouts to contractors

  The Pentagon says major acquisition programs will be set back by three months.

  Defense

  April 20, 2020
• Pentagon to use Defense Production Act for $133 million in N95 masks

  The Pentagon plans to announce new contracts under the Defense Production Act to increase the domestic supply of critical N95 respirators over the next three months.

  DoD Reporter's Notebook

  April 13, 2020
• DoD, DHS setting the bar high for vendor communication

  Government contractors are changing the way they are communicating with their clients and seeking more details for how to continue to meet mission needs.

  Reporter's Notebook

  April 07, 2020
• Tech companies tell DoD its new cyber standards are missing the mark

  The Defense Department signed its agreement with the CMMC Accreditation Board, kicking off the training for third-party assessors and the release of the necessary documents to help vendors prepare to meet the standards.

  Contracts/Awards

  March 27, 2020
• Pentagon sets up task force for wave of medical supply requests

  In today's Federal Newscast, the Defense Department gets so many requests for medical equipment, it set up a special task force just to deal with them.

  Federal Newscast

  March 26, 2020
• DoD and Congress using incentives, extra funds and other policies to keep defense companies cash positive

  DoD is trying to keep companies afloat as it calls on them for Defense Production Act needs.

  Defense

  March 25, 2020
• OMB’s new coronavirus contractor guidance doesn’t answer some of the toughest questions

  The Office Management and Budget released FAQs for agencies and contractors to deal with coronavirus while DoD released a memo detailing what essential vendors mean for them.

  Contracts/Awards

  March 23, 2020
• New guidance, Defense Production Act and other coronavirus challenges vendors should know about

  The Defense Department has set up a daily call with associations representing its vendors to take stock of how the coronavirus is impacting its industrial base while the White House has activated a 1950 law to give agencies procurement priority.

  Contracts/Awards

  March 18, 2020
• Industry on pins and needles as DoD, accreditation body to finalize CMMC agreement

  Vendors are waiting for the Defense Department to release more details, including the proposed acquisition rule, about how it will apply the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification starting this year.

  Reporter's Notebook

  March 18, 2020