Month: August 2021

Robert Wink: FEMA Program Specialist with Years of Contracting Experience

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn how to avoid risking your company and paying millions of dollars in doing government contracts with FEMA Program Specialist, Robert Wink!

BACKGROUND

Robert Wink has years of experience in the US Army with multiple deployments to Iraq before he worked as a contract specialist and contracting officer full-time. 

Currently, he is the CEO of Integrity Lion Acquisitions where he offers government consulting and management services.

He is also working as a Program Specialist overseeing Contract Management at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Apart from that, he also wrote two books: the Small Business Starter Guide to Federal Government Contracts & Searching for Solicitations and the Secrets to Noncompetitive Government Contracts.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCES

Statement Objective versus Performance Work Statements

Performance Work Statement lists all of the things that you need to complete in the contract. With this, you have to provide documents and you have to perform different types of work while the government measures your process along the way.

Meanwhile, the Statement of Objectives states what you need to do within a specific area and time period while you also develop the metrics on how you could accomplish the requirements. 

Contract Specialist versus Contracting Officer

The contract specialists are the people who look into the laws and regulations written in the contract. They write everything before it is given to the contracting officer. 

Meanwhile, contracting officers are the people who have the authority to sign the check and also review the contract before they can actually argue on behalf of a specific government agency.

Basically, the contracting officer takes all the information that the contract specialist gathers and reviews it before making a determination whether or not to obligate the government. 

AVOID THESE MISTAKES

Be careful of companies overcharging free services. 

There are a handful of companies providing services that you can actually do for free, such as registering in the SAM database and getting your DUNS, among others. 

In fact, in most cases, almost everything that you can do to do business with the government is free. 

However, if you want to pay someone because you don’t have the time to do it for yourself, check the companies that offer these services. They may be overcharging you anywhere from $400.00 up to $5,000.00 just to enroll in SAM.gov.

Understand the clauses in your solicitations.

The federal marketplace might be a lucrative space with contracts ranging from thousands to millions, but if you don’t understand the clauses in your solicitations, you might need to pay a lot. 

This is why, before sending your proposals, you must first understand all of the clauses written in that solicitation.

You need to read it. You can do it by yourself or you can find a consultant to help you. Just make sure that you check all the boxes correctly. 

With this, you need to answer these questions: 

1. To whom is this contract written towards?

You need to consider that there are contracts written for all small businesses while there are some that are only for specific small business certifications. 

So, before you waste hours of trying to check the boxes, check if it is meant for your certification first. 

2. What type of contract is it going to be?

Most importantly, go find FAR provision 52.216-1. What this does is it tells you what type of contract it’s going to be. 

You need to know if a contract is a set-aside, a BPA, or another type because it will automatically tell you its price points. 

Just then you can provide a fair and reasonable price for that contract while also earning profit. 

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more on how to avoid risking your company and paying millions of dollars in doing government contracts with Robert Wink, then check the resources below.

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

002: Robert Wink – Contract Specialist with USACE former FEMA Contracting Officer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfgf-f1twgo

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/2019/05/08/02-2/

Agfa Healthcare Corporation Awarded $622M for digital imaging network-picture archive communication systems, components, training, maintenance service and incidental services

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Agfa Healthcare Corp., Greenville, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $622,716,466 modification (P00031) exercising the five-year option period of a five-year base contract (SPE2D1-16-D-0013) with one five-year option period for digital imaging network-picture archive communication systems, components, training, maintenance service and incidental services. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is South Carolina, with an Aug. 11, 2026, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

AGFA Healthcare Corporation is located in Greenville, SC, United States and is part of the Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing Industry. AGFA Healthcare Corporation has 800 total employees across all of its locations and generates $279,638 in sales (USD). There are 225 companies in the AGFA Healthcare Corporation corporate family. (www.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Imminent Danger Notification System (IDNS)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The purpose is to accomplish extensive market research relating to the Imminent Danger Notification System (IDNS). The government is seeking information regarding the availability and feasibility of attracting providers to support the requirements of the Department of State (DOS), Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), Security Technology (ST), Facility Security Engineering (FSE) Division. Issuance of this notice is solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), or a commitment on the part of the government to conduct a solicitation for the below-listed products in the future. Responders are advised that the government will not pay for information submitted in response, nor will it compensate responders for any costs incurred in the development/furnishing of a response.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: 1240 – OPTICAL SIGHTING AND RANGING EQUIPMENT
  • NAICS Code: 334511 – Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance: Arlington, VA 22209 USA
  • Original Response Date: Aug 20, 2021, 02:00 pm EDT

Full details via beta.sam.gov

Braxton Technologies LLC Awarded $139M for satellite operations, prototyping, and integration for support and delivery, network, infrastructure

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Braxton Technologies LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $139,448,344 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00036) to contract FA8806-19-C-0003 for satellite operations, prototyping, and integration for support and delivery, network, infrastructure, hardware, and architecture solutions. This modification provides cross-domain solutions, design, integration, and rapid delivery team services. Work will be located at Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Los Angeles, California, and is expected to be completed May 16, 2024. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,748,384 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $233,956,395. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. 

Braxton Technologies, LLC is located in Colorado Springs, CO, United States and is part of the Computer Systems Design and Related Services Industry. Has 100 total employees across all of its locations and generates $15.52 million in sales (USD). (Sales figure is modelled). There are 495 companies in the corporate family. (ww.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: 175′ WLB FIRE AND SMOKE ALARM SYSTEM

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The 175’ Coastal Buoy Tender (WLM) currently uses a Pyrotronics System 3 for fire and smoke detection system. The system is obsolete and no longer supported by the original manufacturer now owned by Siemens. An automatic fire and smoke alarm system consists of a fire detection and alarm central control panel, repeater panels (if needed), detectors, and manually operated call points located throughout the vessel in the various structural fire zones, and audible and visual alarms to signal the presence or indication of fire.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: 6350 – MISCELLANEOUS ALARM, SIGNAL, AND SECURITY DETECTION SYSTEMS
  • NAICS Code: 334290 – Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance: 
  • Original Response Date: Aug 16, 2021

Full details via beta.sam.gov

Tetra Tech Inc. Awarded $90M for comprehensive long-term environmental architect-engineering services

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Tetra Tech Inc., Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $90,000,000 cost-plus-award-fee modification to previously-awarded, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N62470-16-D-9008 to increase the maximum dollar value and extend the period of performance for comprehensive long-term environmental architect-engineering services on Navy and Marine Corps installations at sites in the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic area of responsibility. This modification increases the total cumulative value of the contract to $368,000,000. Work will be performed in Maryland (13%), Pennsylvania (13%), Florida (11%), Rhode Island (8%), Washington (8%), California (7%), Massachusetts (6%), Texas (6%), Mississippi (5%), New York (4%), Maine (3%), Arizona (2%), Connecticut (2%), Indiana (2%), Louisiana (2%), New Jersey (2%), South Carolina (2%), Georgia (1%), Illinois (1%), North Carolina (1%), and Nevada (1%), and is expected to be completed by April 2022. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Task orders will be primarily funded by environmental restoration (Navy) funds. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. 

Tetra Tech is a global leader in providing consulting and engineering services in the fields of water, environment, infrastructure, energy, and international development. Its solutions span the entire life cycle of consulting and engineering projects and include applied science, data analytics, research, engineering, design, construction management, and operations and maintenance. (www.dnb.com)

100: Adam Austin – How to prepare Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification with Totem Technologies

Posted on by Eric Coffie

In this episode I wanted to discuss a topic widely anticipated that is going to impact all small businesses around the world, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification or more commonly known as CMMC.

To do that, I enlisted my friends Adam Austin and Alli Bay over at Totem Tech to help me discuss where the government is on this matter and more importantly how can you, as a small business, certify your business without needing a 10 or 20k consultant.

That’s right, DIY CMMC. Because of the contracts that Haight Bey & Associates had with the government they were forced to become an early adopter of CMMC even before it was mandated to all contractors. As a result they went through the exercises themselves as contractors and are now coming on to tell us all about what that experience was like.

Over the next 90 minutes we cover Level 1 thru 3, NIST and they also give out a bunch of free goodies to help contractors understand this process as best as possible. Today’s lesson is so great that if it wasn’t on YT would qualify for a CEU credit. Grab your paper and pen. This is content rich learning today.

By the way, if you don’t make it to the end they have an extensive list of downloadable links. Visit: https://govconeric.com/cmmc for a list of all things CMMC.

Now let’s welcome our next Giant, Adam Austin.

MasterMind Monday: What could hold you back as an entrepreneur?

Posted on by Eric Coffie

What holds you back as an entrepreneur? Let’s find that out through this Mastermind Monday with our guest Emily Harman!

BE SELF-AWARE

As business owners, we all do a lot of things, but you should also take a break for some time. Don’t just push, push, and push. You should also realize the things that you need to do to strengthen your self-awareness. 

Consider that the best leaders are self-aware. They understand themselves and they assess the things that hold them back. And with that, they know what are the things needed for the growth of their business, as well as themselves. 

“I’ve spent the past almost two years… becoming a lot more self-aware, and understanding myself. And, you know, we’re always growing, we’re always expanding, we’re always evolving into a new version of ourselves.”

POSITIVE INTELLIGENCE AND YOU2

Positive Intelligence is a book and a coaching program that makes an assessment of what your top 10 saboteurs are. 

If you visit the website, it will tell you about your saboteurs and identify which you are stronger and weaker at. 

For instance, in Emily Harman’s case, she is an achiever, people pleaser, and restless. 

Knowing this is pretty important because by knowing your saboteurs, you can make changes on how you do things. Your hyper achiever self might push you to do more work, but what you really need is rest.

Besides, this can also be helpful in a team setting because by knowing what yours and others saboteurs are, you can make necessary changes on how you can deal with each other. 

Meanwhile, another book that you should also read is called You2 by Price Pritchett.

In this book, the author talks about watching a fly that is trying harder and harder to fly through the window, when really a few flaps of the wing down, the door is open.

That example can relate to how you run your company. You might have not accepted a handful of business partnerships thinking that they will just take advantage of you, when in fact they just want to help you grow. 

So, if you want to reassess how you do your business, read the resources above as these really answer the question, “Are you really seeing the other way to do it or are you just acting on your limiting beliefs?” 

ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

1. Know your ‘why.’

Knowing yourself and your ‘why’ is important, especially in this lucrative but challenging marketplace of government contracting. 

Are you just here to get rich quick or are you building generational wealth? 

If you’re thinking of the former, then it’s going to be very hard for you to lead a company in the long haul. However, if you think of the latter, then you can adjust your mindset and strategy to really achieve your goals. 

“Knowing yourself, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and knowing what your mind is telling you, and being aware of whether or not you’re listening to your mind is all really important stuff.”

2. Be with people who point out the truth.

Be with people who won’t just say ‘yes’ to everything you do and ask. These people should be able to point out the truth and the things that you did wrong. 

This is pretty important because you’re building a business. You don’t need people who always say yes. Rather, you need people who will tell you things that could have been done better. 

This way, you know what not to do next and what you should focus on. 

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about what is holding you back as an entrepreneur, then check our full Mastermind Monday video with Emily Harman.

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

What could hold you back as an entrepreneur?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DcxuHQF6Gg

SOURCES SOUGHT: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training Support

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The contractor shall provide enough personnel to support 80 training events per day as either MQ-9 Aircrew Training Device (ATD) events (12 to 15 concurrent, up to 22 concurrent on non-flying days), MQ-9 flightline events (7 to 12 concurrent), or Desktop Trainer (DTT) events throughout a 16 hour training day. The contractor shall also provide administrative support staff at the squadron level. The requirement is needed for training and administrative support for the MQ-9 Formal Training Unit (FTU). The aircraft training support specifically requires Simulated Mission Operators (SMOs) who will assist by operating MQ-9 simulator consoles or MQ-9 flightline support consoles. SMOs are required to provide inputs, from a script, as other assets involved in MQ-9 operations and aid MQ-9 instructors in scenario development/accomplishment. A typically schedule will require daily support for 50-60 ATD events and 20-30 flightline events per day for a 80 event per day maximum. These events are 100% interchangeable at the government’s discretion.

  • Original Set Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
  • Product Service Code: U006 – EDUCATION/TRAINING- VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL
  • NAICS Code: 611512 – Flight Training
  • Place of Performance: Holloman AFB , NM 88330 USA
  • Original Response Date: Aug 12, 2021 04:00 pm MDT

Full details via beta.sam.gov

Conti Federal Services Inc Awarded $19.6M for constructing a fighter alert shelter at Truax Field

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Conti Federal Services Inc., Edison, New Jersey, was awarded a $19,678,800 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a fighter alert shelter at Truax Field. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Madison, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 1, 2022. Fiscal 2020 military construction, Air National Guard funds in the amount of $19,678,800 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-21-C-0039). 

Conti Federal Services, Inc. is located in Edison, NJ, United States and is part of the Nonresidential Building Construction Industry. Has 24 employees at this location. There are 10 companies in the corporate family. (www.dnb.com)