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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: April 24, 2026
OMB Issues Memo to Increase Commercial Procurement Across Federal Agencies
(Executive Gov) The Office of Management and Budget has issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to increase the acquisition of commercially available products and services in accordance with an executive order signed in April 2025. OMB Director Russell Vought said Friday the memo outlines actions agencies must take to prioritize commercial solutions and strengthen oversight of non-commercial procurements. The memo requires agencies to submit a report to OMB by May 4, detailing non-commercial contracting activity. The report must exclude source selection-sensitive information and include the following elements: Read More
Navy And Coast Guard Shipbuilding: A Disciplined, Strategy-Driven Approach Is Needed to Achieve Ambitious Goals
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) Navy and Coast Guard shipbuilding programs have consistently fallen short of expectations over the last 2 decades. Collectively, they are billions of dollars over cost and years behind schedule. For example, the Navy’s Constellation class frigate program was overcome by issues. As a result, the Navy announced a strategic shift away from the program in 2025—having previously exercised contract options valued at over $3 billion dollars. Similarly, the Coast Guard paused work on two ships and terminated two other ships in its Offshore Patrol Cutter program after a more than 5-year delay in delivering the lead ship. Read More
GSA and OPM will soon share the same headquarters
(Government Executive) The leaders of the General Services Administration and Office of Personnel Management on Monday announced that their agencies will co-locate in the same renovated Washington, D.C., headquarters building beginning in December 2028 as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to reduce the amount of real estate that the federal government occupies. “This is bigger than a relocation. This is a blueprint,” said GSA Administrator Edward Forst at a press conference. “It’s a blueprint for a government that takes responsibility, that works collaboratively and delivers results. At GSA that’s our mission, and today we’re going to lead by example.” Read More
FAA sets records in effort to hire gamers as air traffic controllers
(NextGov/FCW) The Federal Aviation Administration has broken recruitment numbers in its push to hire gamers to be among its next crop of air traffic controllers, according to the Transportation Department. Transportation — which oversees the FAA — launched an ad campaign on April 10 targeting video gamers, saying in a press release that the effort “aims to reach young adults who possess useful skills that are transferable to a career in air traffic control.” A YouTube video associated with the campaign begins with the Xbox One logo before breaking into snippets from Twitch streams and then a montage of air traffic controllers and planes, telling viewers to “level up” and apply for positions beginning at midnight on April 17. Read More
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