409 – Post-Award Pitfalls

Sometimes the Government’s acquisition plan doesn’t line up with the schedule for a requirement.  While there are lots of ways to meet a short term requirement,  the Contracting Officer may use a bridge contract as…

408 – The Debt Ceiling and GovCon

While not raising the Federal debit ceiling seems like a political exercise, it has a direct impact on Government contracts of course.  In this free episode, we describe some of the impacts that may already…

407 – What is an IDIQ Off-Ramp?

The Government awards multiple award contracts in order to have more contractors to pick from after award.  However, to avoid being “stuck with” the list of contractors they have, the Government may also include on-ramps…

406 – What is Best Value?

In this episode we describe the best value continuum.  We explain how the Government is always looking for “best value” through every acquisition.  The question becomes where on the continuum does a specific acquisition lie?…

405 – The Written Debreif

Contracting Officers are often required to do provide a debriefing to contractors when they are unsuccessful.  However, the means to how that debriefing happens is open for the Government to choose.  In this episode we…

404 – What is a Stop Work Order?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you!  It’s not just for Contracting Officers. In this episode we discuss the why, how and what of a Stop Work Order.  We…

403 – What is My Contract Worth?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you!  It’s not just for Contracting Officers. Contract value should be clear. However; the funded value, the face value, the potential value and…

402 – What is an Agreements Officer?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you!  It’s not just for Contracting Officers. Contracts are awarded by Contracting Officers other agreements are awarded by Agreement Officers. In this episode,…

400 – The Quatercentenary (400th Episode!)

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) This is the 400th episode of the Contracting Officer Podcast. Thank you to all the listeners who…

396 – What is a Red Team Review?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul discuss the process that industry uses to review proposals prior to final submittal. Listen…

395 – OTAs and Consortia (with Mica Dolan

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin talks Other Transactions and consortia with Mica Dolan, Chief Operating Officer at Advanced Technology International (ATI)….

394 – Three sides of the GovCon Triangle

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) We spend a lot of time on the podcast talking about the Acquisition Time Zones and the…

392 – Thresholds and Objectives

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul talk government source selection evaluation criteria. Listen and learn how using threshold requirements and…

390 – Amend vs Modify

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul describe the process of amending a government solicitation. Listen and learn why (as always)…

380 – What is an OTA?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul discuss OTAs – Other Transaction Authority, a non FAR/DFARS based, legally binding instrument –…

378 – What is Contract Scope?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul describe the Contracting Officer’s scope determination and how it impacts the government’s ability to…

377 – How are MAC IDIQs used?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Starting off the new year with acronym soup. MAC (multi-agency contracts or multi-award contracts) IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery…

368 – What is Privity of Contract?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul talk relationships and how the government, prime contractors, and subcontractors must take care in…

363 – What is a Show Cause Notice?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul discuss the final step before a Contracting Officer terminates a government contract, the “show…

358 – Unequal Exchanges

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul describe a key feature of government source selections, FAR 15.306’s prohibition on favoring one…

355 – What is a Cure Notice?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Cure notice? It’s not as good as it sounds. Kevin and Paul describe this element of the…

346 – What is a Contract Vehicle?

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul discuss why government acquisition pros may choose to use to award new work through…

342 – Colors of Money

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) What does “Color of Money” mean? Kevin and Paul describe why the color of money matters and…