Skyway Wire
Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors
In September 2015, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors, which will require contractors to provide paid sick leave to their employees...
Non-Manufacturer Rule Scrutiny Continues
The non-manufacture rule (NMR) has always been difficult to understand for both contracting professionals and contractors. FAR 19.001 states: “Non-manufacturer rule” means that a contractor under a...
Capabilities Statements – Make a Good First Impression
I’ve often heard folks say that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. For companies wanting to sell their products and services to the government, a capability statement IS that...
Increases in Statutory Thresholds Effective 1 Oct 15
41 U.S.C. 1908 requires an inflation adjustment of statutory acquisition-related thresholds every five years. As a result, the following statutory thresholds became effective on 1 October 2015: •...
Changes to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting
The Limitation on Subcontracting clause is discussed all the time and has been confusing for 30+ years. To make it worse, there was a change implemented by the National Defense Authorization Act...
Proper Use of GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
If you’ve read some of my previous posts on the subject of GSA schedules, you should know two things: (1) I like GSA FSS contracts; and (2) I think some Federal agencies are making them harder to...
Contractor Options for Challenging CPARS Ratings
FAR 42.1503(d), Contractor Performance Information Procedures, provides that contractors “shall be afforded up to 14 calendar days from the date of notification of availability of the past...
Can a Small Business Set Aside be used if part of the work is outside the US?
Maersk Line is a large business in Norfolk VA, who protested (Maersk Line GAO Protest B-410280: 12/1/14) the terms of RFP N00033-14-R-3201, issued by the Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) for...
It’s either hell yes or hell no!
The great news about the government market? There are a million opportunities. The bad news about the government market? There are a million opportunities. One of the biggest challenges for any...
Commerciality in Government Contracting
When FAR part 12 first came out in the mid-90s, contracting professionals went a little crazy with the concept. “Let’s buy everything as a commercial item or service” became the mantra. It was quick...
Are you the prize?
When marketing and selling our goods and services, we all know we should be targeting. If you’ve been a Community member for a while, you’ve likely heard me talk about the value of targeting a lot....
Small Business Eliminates Two-Thirds of Its Potential Competitors by Appealing the NAICS Code
Challenge NAICS codes! A NAICS challenge is NOT decided by the CO. It is decided by the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals. NAICS code appeals can be a very powerful tool for small government...
How Small Business (SB) Reserves Effect Small Businesses
To assist small businesses, agencies implemented procedures that allow separate requirements of the contract to be set-aside for small businesses. The SBA has issued a rule, effective December 31,...
NAME CHANGE AGREEMENTS
A previous article addressed the issue of novation agreements, which involved a business’s sale or restructuring that caused a change to the business information published in the signed contract....
The reason for Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)
LPTA is a very unpopular acquisition strategy these days. The mere mention of this particular four-letter word seems to raise people’s blood pressure. I have posted several articles on LinkedIn...
Small Business Assistance POCs
For small businesses, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out how to do business with government. But there’s never been a better time to so do. Contracting agencies will continue to receive...