Skyway Wire
What I Wish I Had Known as a Young Contracting Officer
Kevin and Paul have hosted a few episodes of the Contracting Officer Podcast that feature current and former government contracting professionals explaining what they wish they had known when they...
Affirmative Action Plans
One of the requirements that growing small businesses in the federal contracting arena may overlook is the requirement to have a written Affirmative Action Plan (AAP). The requirement for various...
In the Sea Of Opportunities, How Do I Find the Ones I Can Win?
Unless you’ve somehow got a sole source in hand, no one can guarantee that you will win any particular opportunity. There are, however, ways to increase your probability of winning by choosing the...
SBA Issues Final Limitations on Subcontracting Rule and More
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued the final rule, which is effective June 30, 2016, to implement provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, which pertain to...
Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) 101
Most large government contracts now require that the bidder have an approved purchasing system. An approved system is one that has “passed” a Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) conducted by...
Goats
One of my favorite aspects of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is that if the FAR does not specifically prohibit an action, then it is deemed to be permissible, up to the limit of authority...
Three of the Biggest Mistakes in Government Contracting – From Both Sides of the Desk! (Part 2)
During my nearly 40 years as a Contracting Officer, then government proposal consultant, I have seen some systemic problems on both sides of the contracting desk that continue to plague the federal...
Three of the Biggest Mistakes in Government Contracting – From Both Sides of the Desk! (Part 1)
During my nearly 40 years as a Contracting Officer and government proposal consultant, I have seen some systemic problems on both sides of the contracting desk that continue to plague the federal...
Oversight Weaknesses Continue to Limit SBA’s Ability to Monitor Compliance with 8(a) Program Requirements
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued a report on March 21, 2016 that examined the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) ability to oversee 8(a) contracts specifically awarded...
Bulk Funds and Splitting Requirements
One of my earliest accomplishments as a Contracting Officer occurred in Afghanistan, about a month after arriving in-theater for a year-long deployment. I was a junior Major in the Army, and had...
The Story of Three Contractors: Who Has the Bragging Rights for the Biggest Federal Contract Award?
Let me know if you’ve heard this one. Three contractors walk into a . . . . The first contractor, a small business, says proudly, “I just won a $1M firm fixed price service contract!” The second...
Mentor-Protégé JV does not exempt Contractor from SDVOSB Program-specific Requirements
In the matter of EKCG LLC, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Hearing and Appeals (OHA) found no merit to the argument that an 8(a) mentor-protégé joint venture is exempt from the...
Who are my real competitors? How can I win against them? (Part 2)
You’ve identified who your “real competitors” are in federal contracting in your industry. Now, how do you improve your chances of winning against them? Be selective in choosing opportunities to...
Will the Supreme Court’s Ruling on the False Claims Act Effect Government Contractors?
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in April 2016 in a False Claims Act (“FCA”) case that could expand the scope of the statute and create a single interpretation among U.S. Circuit Courts. Under...
DOL Final Rule on White Collar Overtime
The Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final overtime rule which becomes effective December 1, 2016. In this final rule, the DOL revises final regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act...
Why Does the Government Ask for the Information They Do in a Solicitation?
Have you ever bought a house? For most people, this represents a huge investment in money and commitment to an extended financial contract. You don’t enter into this lightly. Your search may take...