Skyway Wire
Contracting Officers and Protests
If you have read any of my blogs before you can tell from my tone as a contracting officer I wanted to get the job done and as we use to say “keep the Mickey Mouse stuff to a minimum”. I wanted to...
Federal Govt Faces Backlog of 700K Security Clearance Applications
According to a recent Washington Post article, the federal government can’t conduct background checks fast enough on people seeking security clearances. One industry group says there are more than...
Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans
Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans, or QASPs, are vital elements of a service contract. Essentially, they are the tool by which Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) track the contractor’s...
New Bill Seeks Enforcement of Limitations on Subcontracting Rule
Bill H.R. 2749, known as Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2017, was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. If the bill is passed, it would require the VA...
Don’t Forget the Contract Admin
Understanding a contract is much more complex than just knowing how to perform technically. It is not uncommon for a company new to federal acquisition to find themselves in a contract without an...
The CO connection
I have heard lots of questions about how companies should relate to a contracting officer. Should I call him? How do I sell him on my company? I just want to know he cares? LOL. Let’s talk...
You Lost – Now What?
You’ve submitted what you believe is a winning proposal, put your best offer in, followed all the requirements, and thought you had a great chance to beat the competition. But you lost! You’ve...
Early Past Performance Planning
Past performance is evaluated by the government during most competitive federal acquisitions these days, and it often can be the most significant factor that the government evaluates. While getting...
What Questions to Ask When You Have a Meeting with the Small Business Specialist
You’ve finally made contact with a Small Business representative who isn’t telling you “We don’t buy your product or service”. They are within commuting distance and you’ve made an appointment to...
Choose Your Networking Conferences Wisely
I’m often asked to take a look at an announcement for Small Business Conferences, Industry Days, Procurement Conferences, for businesses to come and market their products and services to a...
Why would the government re-compete a contract early?
One perceived benefit of landing a government service contract is the assurance that there will be steady work for the next five years. However, there is no guarantee that the contract will make it...
Thoughts on the concept of ‘3 Deciders’
The basic design of government acquisition is closely tied to the system of checks and balances found in the federal government and its three branches. I do not think this is accidental, but...
Why I love the J&A
I suspect all of you who read this blog will boo me worse than a closing pitcher who blows a save in the bottom of the ninth. Contractors always want to see everything competed by the USG. To be...
Questions – What, When and How to Ask
The opportunity to ask questions is one of the ways potential bidders can influence an acquisition. Normally bidders are invited to ask questions on both the Draft RFP and the Final RFP. The “when”...
GAO Explains “In Scope” vs. “Out of Scope” Modifications
Determining which contract modifications are in scope vs. those that are out of scope is as much as art as a science. There have never been any firm regulations or guidance that provide a CO any...
Can Contractors Get Paid if the Base Shuts Down?
Since I just got back home after evacuating due to Hurricane Irma, I thought this would be a good topic to cover right now. Government facilities close down for a variety of reasons including those...