New England Fishery Council Hosts Stock Assessment Meeting

The Morton County Commission held a regular meeting on September 22, 2026, where several procurement and budget-related matters were discussed. The commission approved a letter of support for MJAC LLC and Meer Pelleting LLC, a local manufacturing business seeking to utilize the Bank of North Dakota's PACE program for financing. They also authorized the purchase of a new emergency management vehicle up to $25,000 from the general fund, emphasizing the preference for using local dealerships. The commission reviewed and approved the 2027 budget totaling approximately $34.6 million, including discussions on funding for the state's attorney's office, sheriff's department, and planning and zoning. Additionally, the commission accepted a low bid of $631,170.70 from Tonum Construction for a bridge replacement project north of Mandan, fully funded through ND DOT flex funding. An out-of-state travel request for road department staff to attend a local roads conference was also approved. Other topics included discussions on equipment replacement, vehicle maintenance, and historic preservation policy development.

Sources

• Morton County Commission 2026-09-22 · Dakota Media Access · Sep 23

The Washington County Human Services Committee meeting on September 23, 2026, included several procurement-related discussions. Key topics included a report on veteran services and transportation grants, and a detailed presentation on the continuation and expansion of a crisis intervention specialist pilot program in partnership with the West Bend Police Department. The committee approved a resolution to authorize 1.25 full-time equivalent crisis intervention specialists funded by opioid settlement dollars for the next three years. Additionally, there was an extensive update on the Health and Human Services Building Project, covering master planning, architectural proposals, site options including new construction, remodeling existing buildings, and public-private partnership possibilities. Cost estimates for various options were reviewed, including a potential $40 million new building and a $23 million remodel of the current Public Agency Center. The committee discussed space needs, safety, parking, and future growth considerations. No final procurement decisions were made, but the committee was informed of upcoming steps and financial implications related to the building project.

Sources

• Human Services Committee Meeting · Washington County, Wisconsin · Sep 23

The Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council has released a second set of four proposed rules as part of a broad overhaul of the FAR aimed at simplifying federal procurement processes, reducing administrative burdens, and enhancing competition. These proposals, open for public comment until October 19, 2026, address multiple FAR parts including commercial acquisitions, contract types, negotiated procurements, and architect-engineer services. Key changes include granting contracting officers greater flexibility in contract type selection, eliminating the longstanding catch-all FAR clause lists, introducing a new consumption-based contract type for metered supplies and services (notably cloud pricing), and correcting the architect fee limitation to align with statutory requirements. These reforms seek to modernize acquisition regulations, streamline commercial buying, and reduce friction while maintaining accountability across federal agencies.

• Why this matters: Procurement professionals and contractors should carefully review the proposed changes to understand impacts on contract eligibility, bidding strategies, and compliance requirements.
• The expanded discretion for contracting officers and new contract types may affect contract structuring and risk management approaches.
• Small businesses, especially architecture firms, may benefit from revised fee limitations and clearer contracting provisions.
• The October 19, 2026 comment deadline provides a critical opportunity for stakeholders to influence the final regulatory framework and acquisition policy direction.

Sources

• FAR Council Releases Second Set of Proposed Rules Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul – Office of Advocacy · Office of Advocacy (.gov) · Sep 21
• Rules Proposed to ‘Streamline the FAR in Its Entirety’ · FEDweek · Sep 21
• FAR Overhaul gives contracting officers more flexibility on contract type - Washington Technology · Washington Technology · Sep 21
• FAR Council Seeks Comments on FAR Parts 16, 17, 35 Overhaul · ExecutiveGov · Sep 21
• The latest developments in federal procurement policy | Federal News Network · Federal News Network · Sep 23

Thirteen Canadian federal departments and agencies are collectively investing over $18.7 million in 2026 to reconfigure office spaces and acquire additional accommodations to support a return-to-office policy requiring most public servants to work on-site four days per week. Key agencies leading this effort include Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) managing space optimization to meet increased on-site presence demands.

• This contract reflects a significant procurement opportunity in office space reconfiguration and related services to support evolving workplace policies.
• Procurement professionals should note the emphasis on physical workspace modifications to accommodate hybrid work models, indicating demand for construction, furniture, and technology integration services.
• Vendors specializing in office design, space planning, and facility upgrades may find opportunities to engage with multiple federal agencies.
• The investment signals a broader trend toward increased on-site federal workforce presence, impacting future facility management and procurement strategies.

Sources

• 13 federal departments, agencies spending more than $18 million on return-to-office · The Lethbridge Herald · Sep 23

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a False Claims Act settlement with Honeywell Aerospace requiring payment of over $2 million related to alleged cybersecurity compliance failures on Department of Defense (DoD) contracts spanning April 2020 through December 2023. The settlement highlights enforcement of NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity standards for handling controlled unclassified information (CUI) within federal contracts. Concurrently, Honeywell faces a shareholder lawsuit alleging nondisclosure of supply chain issues and the federal cybersecurity investigation. This development signals heightened government scrutiny on contractor cybersecurity practices and transparency.

• Government contractors working with DoD must prioritize robust cybersecurity compliance programs aligned with NIST SP 800-171 to mitigate False Claims Act risks.
• Procurement professionals should incorporate enhanced cybersecurity requirements and monitoring in contract oversight to ensure contractor adherence.
• Companies should evaluate supply chain transparency and risk disclosure practices to avoid legal and reputational exposure.
• This case underscores the importance of proactive vulnerability management and compliance documentation in federal contracting environments.

Sources

• DOJ Announces False Claims Act Settlement with Honeywell · The National Law Review · Sep 21
• Honeywell Aerospace Investor Sues After Federal Cyber Settlement · Bloomberg Law News · Sep 23
• DOJ Announces False Claims Act Settlement with Honeywell · The National Law Review · Sep 16

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded multiple single-award IDIQ contracts under its Cumulus program to provide commercial cloud services departmentwide, marking a strategic shift toward centralized and standardized cloud procurement. In September 2026, Google Public Sector received a contract valued just under $876 million, joining earlier awards to Amazon Web Services (nearly $3 billion in June 2026) and Oracle (potentially $568 million in August 2026). Microsoft Azure is anticipated to join the program, further expanding the pool of approved cloud providers. The Cumulus model aims to consolidate cloud purchasing, standardize security and oversight, and deliver cost savings and operational efficiencies across DHS IT modernization efforts.

• Why this matters: Procurement professionals should note the move toward a multi-vendor, centralized cloud acquisition strategy that simplifies contracting and enhances security compliance across DHS.
• The IDIQ contracts provide flexible, scalable access to commercial cloud services including Anything as a Service (XaaS), enabling agencies to tailor solutions to evolving mission needs.
• Contractors and vendors can evaluate opportunities to participate in future task orders under the Cumulus contracts, especially as Microsoft Azure joins the pool.
• This approach signals a broader federal trend toward consolidated cloud procurement vehicles that reduce duplication and improve oversight, relevant for agencies planning cloud modernization initiatives.

Sources

• A New Federal Procurement Playbook: Google Public Sector Joins DHS’s Cumulus Cloud | FedTech Magazine · FedTech Magazine · Sep 23

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is conducting industry days on October 7, 2026, at the Donaldson Center in West Haven, Connecticut, and October 8, 2026, at the Auditorium, Building 210 in Augusta, Maine, to engage general contractors for two significant Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) infrastructure upgrade construction projects. These projects, valued between $40 million and $100 million, involve complex phased design-bid-build construction including electrical and HVAC renovations, telecommunication room expansions, power upgrades, CAT6A data cabling replacement, and data center renovations at the West Haven and Togus VA Medical Centers. The industry days will provide contractors an opportunity to review detailed project requirements, participate in site walkthroughs, and offer feedback that may influence procurement strategies and potential set-aside considerations.

• Why this matters: This event signals a major upcoming construction procurement opportunity within the VA's EHRM modernization efforts, emphasizing infrastructure critical to healthcare IT systems.
• Contractors of all sizes should prepare to engage with VA representatives to understand project scope and procurement methods, potentially positioning themselves for set-aside eligibility.
• Procurement professionals should note the dual-location approach and phased construction complexity, which may impact bidding strategies and resource allocation.
• Early participation in the industry days can provide valuable insights into VA expectations and influence contract structuring for these multi-million-dollar projects.

Sources

• VA Industry Day for EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades Construction at West Haven, CT and Togus, ME · SAM · Sep 23

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified significant cybersecurity weaknesses in the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) 988 suicide and crisis lifeline network. Key issues include incomplete implementation of identity and access controls and insufficient cybersecurity contingency planning. GAO issued 10 recommendations aimed at enhancing security measures and strengthening oversight and enforcement mechanisms with the network administrator and local crisis contact centers. These actions are critical to preventing service disruptions and protecting vulnerable users relying on this essential mental health resource.

• Why this matters: Procurement professionals should anticipate increased cybersecurity requirements and potential contract modifications or new solicitations focused on securing the 988 Lifeline infrastructure.
• Agencies and contractors involved with HHS and SAMHSA must prepare for enhanced compliance mandates related to identity management and contingency planning.
• Organizations providing cybersecurity services to crisis networks may find new opportunities as HHS implements GAO's recommendations.
• This development underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity controls in federally funded health and crisis intervention programs, influencing future procurement strategies and contract oversight.

Sources

• GAO Flags Cybersecurity Weaknesses in HHS 988 Lifeline · ExecutiveGov · Sep 23
• HHS suicide, crisis lifeline needs cybersecurity improvements, watchdog finds | FedScoop · FedScoop · Sep 22

A Department of Homeland Security Inspector General report reveals that by the June 2025 deadline, 86% of federal civilian executive branch agencies failed to fully implement the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Secure Cloud Business Applications (SCuBA) policies. This widespread noncompliance increases cybersecurity risks across federal cloud environments and highlights CISA's limited enforcement authority over Binding Operational Directives, which undermines efforts to strengthen federal cloud security posture.

• Why this matters: Procurement professionals should anticipate increased emphasis on cloud security requirements in future solicitations and contract modifications to address these vulnerabilities.
• Agencies may revise acquisition strategies to incorporate stricter compliance verification and enhanced cybersecurity controls for cloud services.
• Contractors providing cloud solutions should prepare for more rigorous security mandates and potential audits tied to CISA directives.
• This situation underscores the need for improved collaboration between agencies, CISA, and vendors to meet federal cybersecurity standards and reduce risk exposure.

Sources

• Watchdog finds most agencies failed to meet CISA cloud security orders, heightening risk of attack | CyberScoop · CyberScoop · Sep 23

The SCV35 Communications governing board held a regular meeting on September 22, 2026. The meeting included recognition of the Santa Cruz County Public Works Department for their support in maintaining safe school environments, including bus stops and walking paths. The board approved the release of Mr. Andrew E. Bickerton from his 2026-2027 contract, waiving liquidated damages of $2,000. Additionally, the board agreed to reschedule their October 27 meeting to 8 a.m. to accommodate attendance at the ASBA county meeting. No new policies were reviewed, and no other procurement or contract awards were discussed during the meeting.

Sources

• 09.22.2026 Regular Governing Board Meeting · SCV35 Communications · Sep 23