Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples)

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Who makes the decision to purchase something for the Government? The answer depends on many factors, but is usually quite different from how an acquisition decision is made in your personal life or the non-Government world. Kevin and Paul discuss the 3 main “deciders” in Government acquisi...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin and Paul discuss FAR 3.2: Contractor Gratuities to Government Personnel. Learn why common behaviors in the commercial world are not allowed in the Government market and how you can get in a whole mess of trouble if you don’t understand the differences. __________This episode is broug...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin and Paul compare the advantages and disadvantages of Pre-Award and Post-Award Debriefs. __________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly,...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) One of the best shortcuts to learn and grow is to get perspective from people with different experiences than your own. We’re happy to welcome David Bartlow back to the podcast to give us the program manager’s perspective. Dave has 15 years of Government contracting experience with the De...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by Deltek. https://www.deltek.com/en/products/business-development/govwinThe first event after contract award is usually the contract kickoff meeting. Learn how this important meeting sets the tone for the entire contract period of performance and why both Go...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) We’ve covered the Government’s acquisition process in many different episodes. Today Kevin and Paul discuss Industry’s proposal writing process and focus on the control gates that are often called “Color Teams”. Learn why reviews are critical to meeting the proposal schedule and why it is...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by Deltek. https://www.deltek.com/en/products/business-development/govwinFew contracts are executed without changes. (longer term or complex contracts anyway…) Government contracts generally contain a clause or clauses that allow the Government to make change...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)____________The Government Fiscal Year (GFY is the common acronym) runs 1 October through 30 September. The last month of the GFY has the potential for great drama because Government funds have an expiration date. (check out Ep. 019 “Colors of Money” for more on that) Kevin and Paul talk t...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This is an encore presentation of a very early episode. How much time does Industry need to prepare and submit a proposal? How much is not enough? How much is too much? What is Industry doing with that time? Failure to communicate can cause Industry to struggle to submit a compliant propos...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by Deltek. https://www.deltek.com/en/products/business-development/govwinThe Government market is constantly evolving. But some things never change. Kevin and Paul discuss what won’t change. Learn why both Government and Industry should be prepared to deal wi...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)How does the Government determine that a price is fair and reasonable? Analysis! Kevin and Paul discuss the differences between price analysis and cost analysis (FAR 15.404-1) and why it is important to understand the requirements of each. Learn how the Government can leverage the power of...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by Deltek. https://www.deltek.com/en/products/business-development/govwinKevin and Paul discuss the importance of teaming decisions and how these decisions can impact winning and executing Government contracts. Learn how the Government can drive and should ca...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Episode 2 introduced our take on the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 Rule (of thumb) plays on Pareto’s Law by comparing the relative importance of relationships and processes in the Government market to their importance in commercial industry. We described how in many instances, winning Government b...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)In a bit of a departure from the normal CO Podcast topics, we get a little “philosophical”. Well…not really. After a spirited “discussion” about how the ebb and flow of the economy in general impacts Government contractors we boiled it down to a basic principle: Lucky vs. Good. Kevin and P...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Before the Government can buy supplies and services from the open market they must consider “Required Sources”.Kevin and Paul discuss FAR Part 8’s required sources of supplies that must be considered by Government Contracting Officers at the beginning of the acquisition process. Learn how...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This is an encore presentation of a topic that has made the news as our new President’s administration considers what can be done to streamline the Government’s acquisition processes. Simplified Acquisition Procedures! How can the Government buy commercial items efficiently? Good question!...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Today we welcome back special guest Shelley Hall to discuss contract closeout. Paul and Shelley provide an overview of what happens between when a contract ends and when it is officially closed out. Learn why it is important for both sides to diligently keep records during contract perform...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)When is a cost-reimbursable contract not completely reimbursable? The Government’s obligation is limited to the estimated cost and/or current funding listed in the contract. (which sounds obvious, but is easily misunderstood once performance begins)Kevin and Paul discuss FAR 52.232-20 (Lim...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by the Government Contract Pricing Summit. www. GCPSummit.com/podcastWriting a Request for Proposals (RFP) without understanding industry’s capabilities and the state of the market is like writing a novel for a stranger. The same goes for writing and submitti...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by the Government Contract Pricing Summit. www. GCPSummit.com/podcastAnother year, another potential Government shutdown. What does this really mean for Government contractors? What does it mean for Government acquisition personnel? Kevin and Paul explain why...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by the Government Contract Pricing Summit. www. GCPSummit.com/podcastCommercial Off the Shelf? (COTS) Is that the same as a Commercial Item? Good question! Kevin and Paul explain COTS and how the already streamlined ruleset for commercial acquisition in FAR P...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This special encore episode is brought to you by the Government Contract Pricing Summit. www. GCPSummit.com/podcastWhat is the difference between a Firm Fixed Price contract and a Cost Reimbursable contract? If you’ve ever asked this question, this podcast is for you. We provide an overvie...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Sometimes a contract needs to be modified after award. Some changes are administrative. Other changes may impact cost, schedule, or the requirements. In the Government acquisition world, this kind of change is usually called an Engineering Change Proposal.(ECP)Learn why ECPs aren’t usually...

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Today we welcome special guest Kevin Lothridge, the CEO of the National Forensic Science Technology Center. Our Kevin Jans discusses teaming with Kevin Lothridge so that you can learn from his experience developing effective partnerships to succeed in this market and achieve better acquisi...