Navigating the New Software Security Requirements for Government Vendors: A Guide

In an era where cybersecurity threats are ever-present, the federal government has stepped up its measures to ensure that software used in its operations meets stringent security standards. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has introduced new requirements for vendors selling software to federal agencies. These changes, driven by Executive Order 14028 and OMB Memorandum M-22-18, aim to enhance the security of the software supply chain by mandating that software producers adopt secure software development practices. Vendors must now complete a self-attestation form, ensuring their software complies with the government’s security guidelines.

Introduction

Let's face it, running a business isn’t easy. Every year presents new challenges - growth, planning, cash flow, workforce development - and the past few years have thrown some extra curveballs our way with the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and inflation. Now 2023 isn’t going to be a cakewalk either. The risk of recession, finding new revenue streams, and keeping our workforce stable looms large. Moreover, these challenges are likely to linger into 2024! But don't worry, TurboGSA explores these challenges and shows you how getting a GSA contract can help you tackle them head-on.

A GSA contract can help you increase government sales. You know it, your salespeople know it, but sometimes the boss does not. As your firm’s business development manager, you know that GSA schedules are a critical tool to have in your business development toolbox.  But your boss is reticent. She prefers to wait until the next quarter or the quarter after. Or perhaps they prefer to have you focus on chasing RFPs, which is about as effective as playing Powerball!

GSA Schedules have been a popular contract vehicle for large and small businesses alike, but in recent years, small business has grown its share of GSA schedule sales significantly since 2013. That year, the height of sequestration, cutbacks, and reduction of wartime spending, the small business share of GSA sales was 32%.  For fiscal year 2016, that had grown to 43%; sales have grown from $11.4 billion in FY2013 to $13.5 billion in FY2016. Remarkable!

GSA has modernized its multiple-award schedule vehicle for human resource services to address contract redundancy and streamline the acquisition process for such service offerings.

I received a call from a woman who told me she and her husband were starting a business and they would organize as a women owned small business (WOSB).  I won’t say what line of business they were in, because they seemed to have a unique niche scoped out and they may enjoy a first mover advantage. I think they are on to something, but they were really in the very early stages of development.