Superstar government contractors have a few things in common. Read more to find out the secrets of how to be successful in federal contracting. The contracting profession is staring down a demographic cliff– much of the experienced acquisition workforce will soon retire. To fill this leadership void, the next generation must stand and deliver. This […]
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Research Resources for Government Contract Proposal Managers
There are four sources of authority which every federal proposal professional must understand and be able to explain to clients. These market research resources for government contract proposal managers are statute, regulation, policy, and court decisions. You need to know these concepts because they affect the request for proposal (RFP) or solicitation format, offer and […]
Other Transaction Authority: Flexible Government Contracting for Innovative Technology
Other Transaction Authority is a flexible technique to acquire innovative technology and avoid many problems of government contracts. We all know government acquisitions are slow. New fighter planes, tanks, and battleships can take ten to fifteen years to develop and field. By then, the technology is no longer state-of-the-art. We all know government contracts are […]
Other Transaction Authority in Government Contracting
Do you have questions about Other Transactions (OTs) or Other Transaction Authority (OTA)? Contact Christoph@ChristophLLC.com to get expert advice in this field. Christoph is heavily involved in Other Transactions, tracks the latest changes, and knows where to go for innovative research and development (R&D) contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions. Keep in mind this article was […]
Pay Attention to Important Terms and Definitions in Government Contracts
Sticks and Stones: How Words and Terms of Art Can Hurt the Contracting Profession. Pay attention to important terms and definitions in government contracts. The misuse of words and terms in the contracting profession can be detrimental, as contract interpretation turns on minute differences in terminology and definitions. Thus, it is important to know how […]
How to Research Government Contracts and the FAR or DFARS
The FAR reference book on your table was outdated the moment it rolled off the printing press. The DPAP memorandum you saved to your computer may have been superseded weeks ago. Statutes, regulations, and policies change rapidly, but it’s your responsibility to be informed and knowledgeable. How can a contracting professional stay abreast of current […]
How to Write a Contracting Officer Final Decision for Government Contract Claims
Include all the required elements of a Final Decision of a Government Contract Claim The Contracting Officer’s Final Decision (hereafter “Final Decision”) is an incredibly important document because it is the Government’s initial response to a contractor’s claim under the Contract Disputes Act. It serves as the Government’s opening move in the claim process and sets the stage for future litigation. […]
Government Contracting Reform, Pentagon Reorganization, and the Section 809 Panel
Government contracting reform is on the table, along with the Pentagon reorganization, and the acquisition reform recommendations of the Section 809 Panel! Congress wants federal contracting reform. That’s why they created the Section 809 Acquisition Reform Panel in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2016. Congress is also frustrated with the way […]
How to Interpret a Government Contract
Learning how to interpret a government contract is extremely important for the success of your federal contracting business. Government contractors need to know the rules of government contracting interpretation! The paramount goal of contract interpretation is to find a single interpretation that accurately reflects the intent of the parties. Once that intent is determined, courts […]
Does the FAR Apply to Government Contractors? No!
Dispelling Myths in FAR Applicability and Clause Selection in Government Contracts BY CHRISTOPH MLINARCHIK, JD, CFCM, PMP As contracting professionals, our mandate is to educate, inform, advance, and improve the contracting profession.[1] Fundamental concepts lay the foundation for achievement, mastery, and professionalism, but minor misunderstandings can morph into major misconceptions. For these reasons, this article […]
