The Defense Acquisition Regulations Council last week issued guidelines designed to simplify how federal agencies buy supplies and services needed to combat nuclear, chemical and biological attack. The Homeland Security Act, signed into law by President Bush last November, mandated the new guidelines. The act allows for increasing the amount of money federal agencies can spend on small purchases -- $200,000 for items bought within the United States, $300,000 for items bought overseas -- and streamlines buying procedures, according to...
