Month: July 2021

SOURCES SOUGHT: SLAC Strategic Partnership- Major Infrastructure Program Management and Staffing

Posted on by Eric Coffie

SLAC National Accelerator is a one of 17 Department of Energy national labs, pushes the frontiers of human knowledge and drives discoveries that benefit humankind. We invent the tools that make those discoveries possible and share them with scientists all over the world. SLAC sits on 426 acres of Stanford University land and is managed by the University for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). We started nearly 60 years ago as a place to discover fundamental particle and forces. Today, we deploy our scientific talent and technology from mile-deep caverns to an orbiting satellite in the search for dark matter, dark energy and the fundamentals nature of the neutrino. SLAC is the world-leading laboratory in X-ray and ultrafast science owing to our expertise developing critical accelerator concepts such as the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) as steward of renowned user facilities. 

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code:
  • NAICS Code: 541330 – Engineering Services
  • Place of Performance: Menlo Park , CA 94025, USA

Full details via beta.sam.gov

The Boeing Co. Awarded $169.4 Contracts to support the Apache full-rate production

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $169,460,000 firm-fixed-price contract to support the Apache full-rate production Lot 12 long lead effort. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2027. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $169,460,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-21-C-0015). (Awarded June 18, 2021).

Boeing – Irving Co. is located in Chicago, IL, United States and is part of the Aerospace Products & Parts Manufacturing Industry. Boeing – Irving Co. has 1,001 total employees across all of its locations and generates $100.39 million in sales (USD). (www.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Notice of Intent – Sole Source – 1PR2105 – Caguas, PR

Posted on by Eric Coffie

A Federal Contract Opportunity 1PR2105. The U.S. Government currently occupies office and related space in a building under a lease in Caguas, PR, that will be expiring. The Government is considering alternative space if economically advantageous. In making this determination, the Government will consider, among other things, the availability of alternative space that potentially can satisfy the Government’s requirements, as well as costs likely to be incurred through relocating, such as physical move costs, replication of tenant improvements, and telecommunication infrastructure, and non-productive agency downtime.

  • Original Set Aside: 8(a) Sole Source (FAR 19.8)
  • Product Service Code: X1AA – LEASE/RENTAL OF OFFICE BUILDINGS
  • NAICS Code: 531120 – Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses)
  • Place of Performance: Caguas, PR USA
  • Original Response Date: Jul 21, 2021, 07:30 pm EDT
  • Full details via beta.sam.gov

    Check out our RESOURCES page for a sample letter that we use in response to government market research.

096: Judy Bradt – How to get in front of your Federal Buyer and “Win” your meeting

Posted on by Eric Coffie

This is part of 2 of her 4 Part series that she filmed with me on our YouTube channel. For the month of July we are bringing back our resident superstar, Judy Bradt. For over 32 years, she’s been an expert in federal contracting. We are so lucky to have Judy come on our show and share tidbits of the wisdom that she has accumulated over the last 3 decades.

Today’s session, How to get in front of your federal buyer and win your meeting. This was a live session that we taped earlier this year and so you will hear Judy and I go for about 90 minutes fielding live audience questions. This is part of 2 of her 4 Part series that she filmed with me on our YT channel. Last week we discussed who are the people that you want to meet. If you missed it go back and listen as it was excellent.

Grab your paper and pen Judy is about to break it down into palatable pieces. If you have not had the chance to catch up to some of her earlier recordings on YT make sure to check them out as people raved about how great her message was.

Mastermind Monday: What is a Micro-Purchase and How to Use These?

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Here’s what you need to know about micro-purchase and how to use these to let a federal buyer purchase up to $10,000 from you!

MICRO PURCHASE

A warranted federal contracting officer or someone with buying authority may purchase goods or services through a credit card worth up to the value of $10,000.

These things are called micro-purchases. It can be anything— from cutting grasses to a lunch and learn session.

This even happens with virtually no competition, no small business set aside, and the Buy American Act does not apply.

“The people want to make it easy— to give you a little bit of a try to do a project that they don’t have to run a big fancy competition for.”

So, why is this relevant? 

Well, as a small business or a business that is just new in the federal marketplace, the chance is so low for you to win a huge contract because you have no past performance yet. 

The good thing with these micro-purchases is these are the ones that most big contractors don’t look at.

Apart from that, the federal buyer is also encouraged to award these contracts to local suppliers.

Let’s say you provide interior painting services. If you’re close to a federal installation or an agency that buys your specific service, then you can talk to this federal buyer and be directly given the job. 

Most importantly, consider that business begets more business. A specific buyer won’t give you large contracts, if they don’t know that you can execute it well. 

So, what should you do? Take advantage of the micro-purchases and show the end user that there’s a low to no risk working with you. 

NUMBER ONE SECRET TO WIN MICRO PURCHASES

The number one thing you need to win a micro purchase is your phone.

Here’s what you need to do… leave a voicemail. 

It doesn’t have to be a two-minute voicemail. It can be a 30 second, with a maximum of one minute. 

With that in mind, make sure that you treat your voicemails like gold. Remember, you have 30 seconds of someone’s undivided attention. 

Most importantly, give it with the amount of loving care. Here’s an example voicemail for you:

“I’m so glad that we’re connected. So sorry I missed you. Here’s what it is that I’m calling about. It’s Colin calling with assessment services that you can use and the best value anywhere. Check your email, I’ve got details. Missed you today. I’m going to call you back Thursday at two. Talk to you soon.”

Then, once you make that voicemail, you make a note on your calendar and call them back. Pay attention to what time zone they’re in and call them when you say you will. 

Consider that you might have to reach them through voicemail many times before they answer your call, but just be patient and persistent. 

“You’re going to think about three or four different things that represent the best value that your company provides, what sets you apart, why are you memorable, why do they really want to talk to you.” 

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN TERMS OF MICRO PURCHASES

1. These are not posted.

Micro-purchases are not posted online or in any database; these only happen through conversations with the federal buyer. 

So, if you’re looking to do business at the micro-purchase level, you need to form a personal relationship with the players and layers of a specific agency. 

In most cases, you can first build a relationship with the small business specialist.

This person might not be able to lead you to the person with the micro-purchase power, but they can advocate and help fine tune your navigation in building relationships with the end user. 

2. These are location-specific.

Micro-purchases are location specific because you’re delivering a product or a service to a specific location.

3. These don’t need fancy agreements. 

Micro-purchases don’t need a contract agreement because the exchange about a specific purchase mostly happens through email or by conversation. 

Still, if you want to use an agreement for some purposes, you can download an agreement for micro-purchases online. 

ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

1. Find someone with a specific need.

Behind every contract agreement is a real federal human who has everything on the line when they choose you. 

So, if you want to sell a specific service, start close to home and find someone with a specific need. 

Consider that if you have never sold to anyone in the federal government before, they’re going to want to see that you’ve sold the product or the service to another organization or customer that has a size and scale of requirement really similar to theirs.

2. Take time to know your federal buyer.

2.1 million federal employees are already on LinkedIn, so why not start with that to learn more about them and build relationships with them? 

Consider that this is a great time to do this because once the fourth quarter of the fiscal year starts, your federal buyer may already be looking for companies to do some micro-purchase with. 

Also, a lot of information about federal contracts and your players and layers are publicly open, so take advantage of those.

3. You have to do the work. 

It’s critical that you invest your time and effort in learning government contracts and building relationships.

It’s not enough that you watch a 10-minute video and say you figured everything out because you still need to do the work. You have to watch the content and you have to apply it. 

“You can’t do half of the activity and expect to get the whole result.”

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about what micro-purchase is and how to use this to your advantage, then check our full Mastermind Monday video with Judy Bradt. 

You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

What is a micro purchase and how to use them?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhvAU8HfgRw

RQ Construction LLC Awarded $217.6M Contract for the design and construction of the Michelson Laboratory Complex

Posted on by Eric Coffie

RQ Construction LLC, Carlsbad, California, is awarded a $217,657,842 firm-fixed-price task order (N62473-21-F-4921) under a multiple award construction contract for the design and construction of the Michelson Laboratory Complex and repair of wings Six and Seven at the Michelson Laboratory building at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake. The task order also contains 25 unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $225,596,669. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of an industrial shop, environmental laboratory and a chemistry laboratory for advanced materials research and development. Work will be performed in Ridgecrest, California, and is expected to be completed by August 2025. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $186,453,782; and fiscal 2021 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $31,204,060, for a total of $217,657,842, are obligated on this award, with the Navy working capital funds expiring at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-21-D-1211). 

Rq Construction, LLC is located in Carlsbad, CA, United States and is part of the Nonresidential Building Construction Industry. Rq Construction, LLC has 170 total employees across all of its locations and generates $44.98 million in sales (USD). (www.dnb.com)

Steven Koprince: Founder of Koprince Law and Small GovCon!

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn about government contract laws and regulations from the founder of Koprince Law and SmallGovCon, Steven Koprince!

BACKGROUND

Steven Koprince is the founder and is a Senior Partner at Koprince Law LLC, a boutique law firm providing legal solutions for government contractors.

He also founded the blog SmallGovCon where he has written over a thousand posts on government contracting legal issues.

The site is viewed by thousands of readers each month and is one of the official must read websites for learning about new rules, changing policies, and court findings in federal procurement.

Mr. Koprince is also the author of the book entitled The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts and three GovCon Handbooks providing in-depth information on discrete government contracting topics. 

Due to all of these, he appeared on numerous radio programs and podcasts and has been quoted in several national news outlets regarding different government contracting matters.

He is also a ten-time Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers featured speaker and was honored as a “Friend of APTAC” at the Spring 2016 APTAC National Conference.

ALL SMALL MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM

In the All Small Mentor-Protege Program, any small business can team up with a mentor that is approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The mentor then provides business development assistance to the protege and in return the SBA allows the mentor and the protege to form joint ventures. 

What mentors get?

With this, as a mentor in a joint venture project, you’ll be getting 60% of the profits because you did 60% of the work, meanwhile the protege is getting 40% of the profits.

Apart from that, the SBA also recently confirmed that it is legal for a mentor to be getting 40% of the small business’ 40% profit because in that joint venture, you basically own 40% of their company.

Lastly, mentors can have up to three proteges at one time. Although the proteges can’t be actual competitors to one another, there’s a lot of room and opportunities out there. 

What mentors should provide?

Primarily, mentors should provide business development. It is a requirement in the mentor-protege program, so that regardless if the protege gets a contract or not, they will still exit the agreement in a much better spot than when they entered. 

This is why it is a must for proteges to not skip the mentor-project agreement before entering a joint venture because by doing this, the mentor has the contractual obligation to provide business development.

“Whatever it is you need to take your business to the next level, you ask your mentor to put, to do that.”

Apart from that, the mentor can also provide financial assistance, provide facilities, help in writing proposals and anything related to project management, and help the small business in developing good internal policies and procedures.

How do proteges find mentors?

Most primes want to mentor businesses that they have a past relationship with and not just someone who goes straight and asks them, “Hello, be my mentor.”

So, the best thing to do is be a subcontractor to them. All these large businesses have subcontracting plans and they need subcontractors with different socioeconomic certifications.

If you see a contract coming up that they’re bidding and that you could be useful to, let them know. You will then be included on their team and you can start working together and soon build a relationship. 

THE THREE-IN-TWO RULE 

The three-in-two rule was a restriction on joint venture entities. In this rule, it said that within a two-year window period, you are only restricted to get three contracts. 

Then, after you get your third contract, you can either stop working with your partner or mentor or you form a new joint venture and resets the clock to zero. 

However, this is where it gets more frustrating because when you continue bidding under that old joint venture and you exceed the three contracts, the size of your partner will then be added to yours, so you now can’t go after small business set-asides.

And if you build another joint venture, you will still be subject to the three-in-two rule which means that if you reach the three maximum contracts, you need to build another joint venture. 

Fortunately, the three-in-two rule was recently changed where they get rid of the three parts. 

Now, in this new rule, the two rule, joint ventures can already win as many contracts as they want between the two-year period. 

Still, consider that the two-year period is still there and if you continue bidding after that period with the same joint ventures, then you will be found affiliated with that and could get in trouble. 

SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARDS

In the old small business size standard, small businesses were determined based on the number of employees or dollar amount of revenues from a three-year average.

However, the Congress made some changes and on December 17, 2018, the Small Business Runway Extension Act of 2018 was signed into law.

With this new modification, small businesses are now determined based on a 5-year average.

HUBZONE PROGRAM

In recent years, the government wasn’t able to reach its goal for the HUZone Program. This may be due to structural issues that are imposed in the program that affects disadvantaged businesses in HUBZone areas. 

One of the structural issues has been its 35 percent requirement wherein HUBZone companies should have 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone area. 

This is certainly a problem because this requirement must be met when these businesses apply in the program and during both the bid date and award date of a contract. 

Another problem is that if one of these employees living in a HUBZone move to another place or quits the job, then you will be removed from the program. 

Fortunately, there are positive changes that the government made for HUBZone companies.

Now, you don’t have to maintain the 35% requirement within a contract’s bid date and award date, as long as you meet it on the date of your certification and you will do an annual renewal afterwards. 

Then, the government also made it for you to do joint ventures as they get rid of the requirement that you can only do this with another HUBZone company. Now, you can do joint ventures with a mentor, like any program. 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

1. Don’t do something that is not written in your contract.

Many folks believed that everyone in a contract or a project who carries a government business card can essentially tell you to do more work or change your work, but it is not.

Only the contracting officer can do these changes as they are the ones who have the authority in that contract. 

For instance, if you are doing a landscape project and the project manager asks you to do something else, then you should not agree to it, unless the contracting officer made the changes in the contract and added what the project manager asked. 

But what happens if you do it, will you get paid? In some cases, you will be paid through ratification, but this is optional and it depends on the people in that agency. This is why you should protect yourself from these instances. 

2. Update your SAM profile before you submit a bid.

It’s a common misconception that you only need to update your SAM profile once a year, but this information is false. 

In fact, the FAR says that any time you bid on a government contract, your reps and certs in SAM should be current, accurate, and complete, as of that date.

So, one year is the minimum of making changes. If nothing has changed or you didn’t bid in anything, you still have to update it once a year. 

However, if anything changes in those reps and certs and every time you submit a bid, you need to update it, otherwise you’re making a false certification towards the government. 

3. 1099ers are subcontractors, not employees.

1099 independent contractors are subcontractors. This doesn’t mean that you need to give them your subcontracts to companies, but you can call it an independent contractor agreement that hereby incorporates all the FAR clauses.

You can’t also call them 1099 employees. You either classify them as 1099 or your employees. You can’t have it both ways.

Besides, you can’t tell the IRS that they are a 1099 while also telling SAM that they’re an employee when you want that to be true.

However, if you call them employees, then you better be paying all of your unemployment taxes and other stuff, otherwise you’re committing tax fraud.

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about government contract laws and regulations from Steven Koprince, then be sure to click the resources below. You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

81: A Guest That Needs NO Introduction… Mr. Koprince of Koprince Law

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/081/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QelKtX7HKk

SOURCES SOUGHT: Portland Marines Recruiting Batallion

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The U.S. Government through the Seattle District, Corps of Engineers is seeking to lease approximately 6,276 square feet of office space and 3,000 square feet of general storage/warehouse space to be used by the Portland Marines Recruiting Batallion, Marine Corps Recruiting Main Station and divided into five (5) general areas: office, conference room, internal storage, shower, and general storage/warehouse. The lease shall be full service to include base rent, CAM, utilities, and janitorial for a term not to exceed 10 years with Government termination rights. Required location is in Portland, OR and within the defined delineated area boundaries:

 

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: X1AA – LEASE/RENTAL OF OFFICE BUILDINGS
  • NAICS Code: 531120 – Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses)
  • Place of Performance: Portland, OR 97218 USA
  • Updated Response Date: Jul 19, 2021, 03:00 pm PD
  • Full details via beta.sam.gov

    Check out our RESOURCES page for a sample letter that we use in response to government market research.

Air Transport International Inc. Awarded $152.5M Contract For international, commercial, multimodal transportation service

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Air Transport International Inc., Wilmington, Ohio (HTC711-19-D-W002) (P00003); American President Lines LLC, Washington, D.C. (HTC711-19-D-W003) (P00003); American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier LLC, Parsippany, New Jersey (HTC711-19-D-W004) (P000030); Amerijet International Inc., Miami, Florida (HTC711-19-D-W005) (P00003); Farrell Lines Inc., Dulles, Virginia (HTC711-19-D-W006) (P00004); Hawaiian Airlines Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii (HTC711-19-D-W007) (P00003); Liberty Global Logistics LLC, Lake Success, New York (HTC711-19-D-W008) (P00003); National Air Cargo Group Inc., Orlando, Florida (HTC711-19-D-W009) (P00003); Northern Air Cargo Inc., Anchorage, Alaska (HTC711-19-D-W010) (P00003); Schuyler Line Navigation Co. LLC, Annapolis, Maryland (HTC711-19-D-W011) (P00003); and United Airlines Inc., Chicago, Illinois (HTC711-19-D-W012) (P00003), were awarded a firm fixed price modification in the estimated amount of $152,588,232 for international, commercial, multimodal transportation service between various continental U.S. and outside continental U.S. points and ports. Transportation services include time-definite, door to door/port to door pickup and delivery, electronic data interchange, customs processing and clearance of containerized and breakbulk cargo. This modification brings the total estimated cumulative face value of the contract to $278,694,196 from $126,105,964. The location of performance is worldwide, as specified on each individual order. The contract period of performance is from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. 

 

Air Transport International, Inc. is located in Altamonte Springs, FL, United States and is part of the Charter & Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation Services Industry. Air Transport International, Inc. has 20 total employees across all of its locations and generates $124.61 million in sales (USD). (www.dnb.com)

Top 10 PSC codes in 2020

Posted on by Eric Coffie

If you’re a small business owner and have been trying to get into the federal arena, you are probably familiar with the North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code. It is very important in terms of gaining visibility to the government but did you know that the Product Service Codes are just as important?

One of the reasons why business owners get lost in government contracting is because of the overwhelming variety of products and services needed by the agencies. 

PSCs can help a business easily describe what they can offer to the government buyers, as they are straightforward and also narrower compared to NAICS codes. 

Most business owners think their companies stand out from their competition, but only a few have actually attempted to validate that. 

Find your competitive advantage by getting to know the marketplace. This could expand potential opportunities for you and your company. With that in mind, here’s a list of the top 10 PSC codes that have dominated 2020 and what they offer to the market.

1. 1510 

Aircraft, Fixed Wing

This code pertains only to complete aircraft which means end items, assemblies, parts, attachments, or accessories for use in or on fixed-wing aircraft are classified in classes other than this class.

2. R425

Professional: Engineering/Technical

This is designated for engineering and technical services. Under this category are services that offer systems engineering, technical assistance, and other services used to support the program office during the acquisition cycle. This excludes language translation and sign language interpretation.

3. 1905 

Combat Ships and Landing Vessels

This code includes aircraft carriers; battleships; cruisers; destroyers; submarines; frigates and corvettes; gunboats; motor torpedo boats; sub chasers; landing barges; minelaying and mine sweeping craft. 

4. R499

Support- Professional: Other

Services in this category offer advisory management. Businesses that fall under this are wide-ranging. One of the few possible NAICS codes for this is engineering services, environmental consulting services, and other computer-related services.

5. 1410

Guided Missiles

This class includes only complete guided missiles, with or without warheads and explosive components, whether in assembled or unassembled form. Complete drones, initially designed as missiles, but converted to drone use, are also part of this code. 

End items, assemblies, parts, attachments, or accessories for use in or on guided missiles are classified in classes other than this class.

6. 6505 

Drugs and Biologicals 

This code refers to establishments that provide all drugs, medicinal grade chemicals, and biologicals subject to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, listed in the Monograph section of the U.S. Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary or covered by the United States Adopted Names (USAN). The items in this category, however, must be formulated for human use only.

Medicated cosmetics and toiletries classifiable in FSC 6508 and in vitro diagnostic substances and reagents classifiable in FSC 6550, and Veterinary Drugs and Biologicals classifiable in FSC 6509 are excluded from this class.

7. D399 

IT and Telecom- Other IT and Telecommunications

This refers to establishments that offer IT and telecommunication services, as the name states. This category comprises services that offer any form of electronic information use and transmission.

8. Q201 

Medical- General Health Care

This code is also self-explanatory, as it pertains to general health care services. Possible NAICS codes under this category are general medical and surgical hospitals, temporary help services, and home health care services.

9. M1JZ

Operation of Miscellaneous Buildings

Codes under M1 are designated for companies that operate on government-owned buildings. Most of the industry titles under the M1 classification are specified. This code, on the other hand, refers to the construction of buildings that may not particularly fall into other categories, hence the term miscellaneous.

10. 6515

Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies

The items offered in this class include anesthesia apparatus, blood transfusion apparatus, oxygen therapy apparatus, respirators, orthopedic supplies, arch supports, clinical thermometers, sutures, hearing aids, veterinary equipment, endoscopes, fiber optic. The ophthalmic instruments and non-medical endoscopes, however, are not included.

RESOURCES

The ranking from this article was taken from usaspending.gov. Federal awards in 2020 were categorized by their PSC codes and were then listed from highest to lowest, according to their respective cumulative amount obligated by the federal government.

To learn more about PSC codes and how to use them, check this video entitled, What is a PSC (product service code) and how to use it? to know your way around the industry and find your competitive edge.

The information found in this article is taken from the Products and Service Codes Manual, wherein the products, services, and research and development (R&D) purchased by the federal government were described according to its specified code.