As a contingency contracting officer who has led contracting teams in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I am often asked, “Why does the contracting process take so long?” To adequately answer this question, one must understand that the contingency acquisition process has three primary stakeholders: requirement generators, resource managers, and the contracting office.
Read MoreAny meaningful discussion on the development of the acquisition workforce must include an understanding of the fundamental state of the profession and acquisition reform. In a nutshell, despite being comprised of the best-educated and trained workforce in recent years, the current federal contracting workforce remains fractured…
Read MoreCongress (read as the SASC and HASC) is dead serious about Government Reform. This can be observed by comments and engagements by SASC Chairman McCain (R-AZ) and HASC Chairman Thornberry (R-TX). A quick google search on either of their names and “reform” will demonstrate they are not only speaking about government reform but…
Read MoreWe’ve all seen them. Small business owners whose business cards could include the following job descriptions: CEO, Comptroller, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Human Resources Manager, Public Relations Manager, Contracts Manager, etc. The end result of these business-related efforts is often inevitable…DISASTER, with a capital “D”!
Read MoreThroughout the past nearly 20 years, I have had the opportunity to serve as an Air Force Contracting Officer and in that capacity, I’m often asked: “How does my company do business with the Department of Defense?” Marketing to the federal government is challenging but it is not impossible. It takes commitment to, and education of, the process.
Read MoreThe truth is, the Federal Government often lacks the technical expertise necessary to appropriately define the “what” and the “how” — that’s where your small business comes in. We sit down with one of the smartest Contracting Officers in Federal Government today to discuss truth and falsehoods in Federal contracting.
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