Off the Shelf

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240

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May 2026

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About the show

Hosted by Roger Waldron of the Coalition for Government Procurement, Off the Shelf interviews federal contracting experts from both inside and outside of government on the issues that matter most. ]]>

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May 27, 202643 min

The current government contracting environment

Luke Levasseur and Keeley McCarty, partners at Fox Rothschild, join host Roger Waldron on this week's Off the Shelf for an in-depth discussion of the current government contracts compliance, bid protest, and regulatory environment. Levasseur and McCarty discuss the interplay between the Civil False Claims Act and the Trump administration’s focus on DEI, including the potential impact of the new DEI clause. They also talk about current bid protest trends and the “loser pays” provision in the FY2026 NDAA. Finally, Levasseur and McCarty share some initial impressions regarding the RFO.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 18, 202643 min

Key trends in government contracts compliance

This week Alex Canizares, partner at Vinson & Elkins and co-head of the firm’s Government Contracts Practice Group joins Off the Shelf for a wide-ranging and informative discussion of the key trends in government contracts compliance, oversight, and enforcement. Canizares gives an update on Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil False Claims Act enforcement priorities, and provides a quick primer on the FCA’s key statutory language and overall framework.He also shares his insights and analysis of the new DEI clause requirements and the Department of Justice’s enforcement priorities. Finally, Canizares gives his thoughts on the recently created Fraud Enforcement Division at DOJ.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 11, 202643 min

The reorganization of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service

This week on Off the Shelf, Alan Thomas, founder of Alpha Tango Strategies, discusses the recently announced reorganization of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). As a former FAS Commissioner, Thomas shares his insights regarding FAS operations and outlines the market and management considerations driving the FAS reorganization. During the discussion Thomas gives his take on the roles and responsibilities of the five new offices resulting from the reorganization. Shifting topics, Thomas talks about the recent executive order focusing on firm-fixed pricing for contracts, and he shares his thoughts on contract consolidation.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 5, 202640 min

Procurement priorities for the NDAA

Tim Brennan, president of the Center for Procurement Advocacy, joins Off the Shelf for an update on the Hill. Brennan discusses the Hill’s focus on acquisition policy and outlines the key procurement priorities for this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.In particular, he addresses the growing split between the Department of War’s acquisition authorities and civilian agency acquisition authorities and sees an opportunity this year to narrow the gap. Brennan also shares his thoughts on the Congressional calendar with insights regarding the timing of key legislative actions, including potential reconciliation and the timing for the NDAA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 28, 202642 min

An in depth look at the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation

This week on Off the Shelf, Jeff Koses, senior procurement executive at the General Services Administration (GSA) shares the vision and goals for the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (RFO). As an introduction to the discussion, Koses explains the role the FAR Council plays in the rule-making process, including how, OMB, GSA, DoW, and NASA work together to draft FAR rules consistent with statutes and executive orders. He then explains how the FAR Council used deviations to meet the ambitious timelines set forth by the administration.In addition, Koses highlights the shift to reliance on guidance documents like the Practitioner’s Albums to support the acquisition workforce.Finally, Koses discusses the RFO changes and the significant regulatory changes that streamline the process and reduce burdens for government and industry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 6, 202641 min

An analysis of GSA's proposed AI clause

Jonathan Aronie, partner at Sheppard Mullin, joins Off the Shelf for an engaging discussion of GSA’s proposed AI clause and President Trump’s executive order, “Addressing DEI Discrimination By Federal Contractors.” GSA’s AI Clause establishes a governance framework and establishes an allocation of rights and responsibilities between the government, contractor, and any AI service provider supporting the contractor.  The AI clause takes an approach that raises questions regarding its consistency with commercial practice and potential burdens on the private sector that may inhibit access to cutting edge, commercial AI solutions. Aronie analyzes the AI clause’s key provisions, and provides his insights and analysis of the new DEI executive order, which mandates new contract language addressing DEI discrimination. Finally Aronie outlines what contractors need to know regarding, the timing, scope, and mechanics of the executive order’s new contractual obligations on DEI.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 13, 202640 min

The factors driving acquistion policy reform

This week on Off the Shelf, Moshe Schwartz, president of Etherton & Associates, joins host Roger Waldron to discuss the geopolitical landscape facing the nation and how it driving defense acquisition policy reform. Schwartz shares his insights on procurement, logistical and supply chain challenges and opportunities driving the Department of War’s (DoW’s) restructuring/reform of acquisition operations. He also highlights some under the radar provisions of the NDAA, and dissects the readiness challenge facing DoW, sharing his insight the key management changes that are improving readiness along with what more can be done.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

February 24, 202643 min

A postmortem on CIO-SP4

This week on Off the Shelf, Brian Friel from BD Squared, addresses the state of governmentwide contracting. Friel gives a postmortem on CIO-SP4 including lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid when utilizing a self-scoring evaluation model. He also gives an update on OASIS+ and the IT GWACs, including NASA SEWP VI, POLARSIS, Alliant 3, and highlights the Alliant’s programs major step forward in announcing the first set of awardees. Other topics included the impact of the RFO on governmentwide contracting, including the new FAR Part 8’s framework for mandatory contracts, and FAR Part 16’s revision that allows Blanket Purchase Agreements under Multiple Award contracts other than the Schedules.Finally, Friel gives his thoughts on OASIS+ and the Army’s MAPS procurement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

February 24, 202641 min

Small business rules & their impact on procurement

This week on Off the Shelf, Ken Dodds, executive vice president and general counsel for Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement, joins host Roger Waldron to discuss some of the most important small business rules impacting procurement. In the wake of the Department of War’s memo on pass-throughs and reviewing set-asides over $20 million, Dodds shares his insights on framework and limitations on subcontracting under small business set-asides contracts and the government’s corresponding focus when reviewing subcontracts under set-asides and want constitutes a potential pass-through situation. He provides the nuances inherit in these rules that play an understated role in management of small business programs.  Finally Dodds gives his thoughts on a host of current procurement topics, including GSA’s Reseller RFI, commercial practices and the RFO.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

February 24, 202644 min

2025: A look back at the year in federal procurement

This week on Off the Shelf, Bill Gormley, president of the Gormley Group, and Alan Thomas, founder of Alpha Tango Strategies, recap the 2025 year in federal procurement and look ahead to 2026.  Gormley and Thomas cover a host of topics, including the impact of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the RFO, consolidation efforts at GSA, the cancellation of CIO-SP4, and the GSA Reseller Request for Information (RFI). They also share their thoughts and analysis on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) with the formal rulemaking looming in 2026. Finally Gormley and Thomas discuss the establishment of the Office of Centralized Acquisition Services (OCAS) in GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.