Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 Episodes
As former Federal Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry’s shoes, Kevin and Paul share their expertise and perspectives in support of the podcast’s mission: Make government contracting better, one contract at a time.
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467 – Exemptions to the Service Contract Labor Standards Act – Part 1
In a few recent episodes (including episodes 459 and 462), Kevin and the Skyway team covered some of the elements of the Service Contract Labor Standards Act (SCLSA) (the law previously known as the...
466 – Basis for Award
Here’s a Simplified Buying Process. Step 1. Identify the problem Step 2. Decide to buy something to solve the problem Step 3. Decide how to differentiate between options (choose a Basis for Award)...
465 – Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Factors
In this episode of the CO Podcast 2.0, Kevin and Paul outline the concept of Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Factors in government contracts. Evaluation Criteria is a key element in any purchase...
464 – What is a Determination and Finding?
There are lots of ways for the government to buy things from industry. There is rarely “the way” to buy something…it’s usually “a way” among many options. As a result, the government acquisition...
463 – GovCon Vocabulary – Volume 3 (Consolidation vs Bundling)
There are some unique words in GovCon – one of our favorites is “de-obligated” (not be confused with “not obligated”). While it’s easy to make fun of these words, communication can go sideways when...
462 – Place of Performance Under Service Contracts (w/Shelley Hall)
The government awards contracts for lots of different services. One of the many variables in awarding and MANAGING these service contracts is clearly understanding where the work will be performed....
461 – Ethos, Logos, Pathos (from Government side)
There is much agreement on the benefits of government and industry communicating better. However, knowing we are supposed to communicate “better” is not the same thing as knowing how to communicate...
460 – Buying “Commercial Services” in GovCon (with Desmond Culler)
The federal government buys LOTS of services. Billions and billions of dollars worth. Seriously. The government buys some of (maybe most of?) those service as “commercial” services. But what is so...
459 – What is a Wage Determination?
What is the minimum wage? Well, it depends. There is a federal minimum wage, but the states can also set their own minimum. Therefore, the answer to “What is the minimum wage?” depends on where you...
458 – GovCon Vocabulary – Volume 2 (Shape vs Influence) Audio Player
There are some unique words in GovCon – my favorite is still “de-obligated” (not be confused with “not obligated”), but there are also words like “small business” – that in some cases can include...
457 – GovCon Vocabulary – Volume 1 (Amend vs Modify)
GovCon has unique words, like “de-obligated” (not be confused with “not obligated”) – or “colors of money” (not to be confused with regular money that’s well, green here in the US). While unique...
456 – Differences between FED and State-Local w/Troy Francis (Part 2)
In this episode, Kevin is once again joined by Troy Francis. Troy knows the nuances of both Federal and Local contracting because he’s been both a Federal Contracting Officer and now he is a Chief...
455 – What is Incremental Funding?
Not every contract has the same payment terms. Sometimes we pay in full up front. Sometimes we pay upon completion. Sometimes we pay in parts along the way. Those same payment terms can apply to...
454 – What is a Capture Manager? (w/Jennifer Namvar)
The government awards most contracts using competitive processes. Some of those processes are simple. Some of them are complicated. Sometimes they are so complicated that the process from...
453 – Ethos, Logos, Pathos
Plenty of ink has been spent on how government and industry need to communicate more, and better (including by us). However, knowing we are supposed to communicate “better” and knowing how to...
452 – Paths to Competition
In government contracting, there are so many ways to buy products and services. Multiple award, commercial, simplified acquisition, micro purchase, letter contract, GSA contract, logical follow-on,...