Skyway Wire
Differing Site Conditions
Differing site conditions, commonly referred to as unforeseen site conditions, is a term used in construction contracts to describe a previously unknown condition that, once discovered, will affect...
What does the government owe you?
In recent months I have heard and read different stories about companies’ expectations in doing business with the government. Now our esteemed leader here at Skyway calls me the “grumpy”...
The Debrief
So you lost the contract that the company put lots of time and money into and you want to know why. You want an answer and you want it now!! As a contracting officer I have had those phone calls;...
Brand Name or Equal
One handy little tactic that benefits both Contracting Officers and bidders is the concept of “Brand Name or Equal.” FAR 11.104 – Use of Brand Name or Equal Purchase Descriptions describes this...
What You Need (and What You Do NOT Need) to Get Started as a Government Contractor – Part 2
In Part 1 of this blog, I talked about a couple of things you need to do before you can be awarded a contract. You need to do both of those things before you do the last thing that is absolutely...
What You Need (and What You Do NOT Need) to Get Started as a Government Contractor – Part 1
When companies decide to go after government contracts, they all experience a similar phenomenon: a bunch companies (often trying very hard to look like a government agency on their websites) start...
Successful Teaming
You have a teammate and all is great! Right? Sometimes, not so much. Let’s look at some of the basics and how to avoid the issues in the first place. Federal Government Contracting is subject to...
Professional Compensation Plans – Part 2
When a solicitation contains FAR 52.222-46, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, offerors are required to submit a written plan for compensating their proposed staff that are not...
Professional Compensation Plans – Part 1
Here’s something that can trip you when submitting a proposal for providing professional support services for the federal government. Ever heard of a “Professional Compensation Plan?” It’s a...
Why RFIs and DRFPs Matter
Many companies say “I wish the government would communicate better,” or just plain “communicate!” Actually, the government does communicate in a variety of ways, just maybe not in a way you...
Ambiguity Happens!
This blog was written by guest author Charles Hargett. We’ve all seen the comic strip depicting the end result of a government procurement where requirements were delivered strictly in accordance...
Can an Agency Insist on Subcontract With OEM?
Subcontracting occurs in almost all larger dollar contracts. The prime contractor usually has the discretion to determine which subcontractors they will use. Can the government issue a...
Why Proposal Planning is like Hurricane Planning
My last role as a Contracting Officer was at US Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, just south of Tampa, FL. When I decided to step out of my CO role officially and start Skyway, I...
Can One Email Lose You a Contract?
A recent protest - Bluehorse Corp., B-414809 (Aug. 18, 2017) - involved an acquisition diesel fuel, which was as part of a highway construction project by the Department of Interior, Bureau of...
Why discussions are awesome!
There are a number of reasons why discussions are awesome, but first and foremost the best thing about them is that your company’s proposal made the competitive range. The other offerors were...
Thoughts on the State of Government Contracting
The other day, at the weekly staff meeting, the Skyway team discussed the state of the current crop of contracting officers, and their effect on government contracting. Before I go any further, let...