Why timing, sequencing, and contract actions impact success in GovCon. In GovCon, not all times are equal. Aligning right action with the right time is the difference between creating or avoiding both problems AND opportunities....
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history didn’t just stop work—it changed the way contracts move. For most people, it’s old news. But for those in government contracting, the impact is still real: delayed projects,...
Government contracting is changing fast, and Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs) are part of that change. These agreements let the Department of Defense work directly with state and local governments instead of using the usual FAR-based...
Government contracting can feel complicated, but one principle stays the same: every deal depends on three key roles—the Customer, the Economic Decider, and the Contracting Officer. We call them the 3 Deciders™, and knowing how...
In this episode, Kevin and Paul talk about a key change in federal contracting—Performance-Based Service Acquisition (PBSA). PBSA focuses on results, not rules. Instead of telling contractors how to do the job, the government sets...
Government contracting can feel confusing. Many people wonder who really makes the key choices. In this episode, Kevin and Paul focus on the Contracting Officer. This role is one of the three main “deciders” in...
In this episode, Kevin Jans talks about a key part of the contracting process—what happens after the contract is awarded. Many people think the job is done once the contract is signed. But the real...
Government contracting has many rules and steps. But do we ever ask why they exist? In this episode, we look at an idea that has lasted for almost 100 years: Chesterton’s Fence. It says, “Don’t take down a...
Government contracting often feels slow. But is it really? In this episode, Kevin and Paul explore what “fast” means in the world of GovCon. They share real stories from both sides—buying and selling—and show how...
This episode is all about government shutdowns and how they affect contracting officers and contractors. Shutdowns are no longer rare. They happen often. In fact, this is the fifth one since we started the podcast....
In this episode, Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer talk about important updates to government contracting rules. Starting October 1, 2025, many dollar thresholds in the FAR are going up. These changes affect how contracts are...
In this episode, Kevin and Paul explore the updated FAR Part 5. This part is now one of the “heavy hitters” in the FAR. That means it has a big impact on how the government...
Skyway Acquisition is bringing back this episode because it still matters. Another government shutdown has happened, and Kevin and Paul talk about what that means. The effects go far beyond federal workers. They touch contractors,...
We’re back with the second part of our series on the 6 Ps of Commerciality. If you missed the last episode, we talked about the first three Ps: Problem, Product, and Positioning. Be sure to check it...
“The 6 Ps of Commerciality.” In this episode, host Kevin Jans talks about a key part of government buying—figuring out if something is “commercial.” The U.S. government prefers to buy products and services that are already...
In this episode, Kevin and Paul continue the story of how FAR Part 12 is changing. The government wants to buy commercial products and services whenever possible. That’s smart—it saves time and money. In Episode...
In this episode, Kevin and Paul talk about big changes to FAR Part 12. This part of the FAR covers how the government buys commercial products and services. The rules are being updated to make...
In this episode of the Contracting Officer Podcast, Kevin Jans and Shelley Hall talk about a major update that affects how the government finds small businesses. The old tool—Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS)—is gone. It’s...
Welcome to the final part of our four-part series on the FAR Part 6 overhaul. In this episode, we focus on how the government explains why it does not compete some contracts. This is a key...
“The Overhaul of Part 6 – Part 3.” In this installment, Kevin and Paul continue their deep dive into the FAR overhaul, focusing on one of the most critical and nuanced aspects of federal acquisition—justifying when...