Tag: government contract

Bay Ship & Yacht Co. Awarded $235M Contract for the purpose of performing on-condition cyclic maintenance, modifications, modernizations and repairs

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Bay Ship & Yacht Co., Alameda, California (W56HZV-21-D-L002); Colonna’s Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L003); Conley Marine Services,* Harvey, Louisiana (W56HZV-21-D-L004); Fairlead Boatworks Inc., Newport News, Virginia (W56HZV21DL005); GMD Shipyard Corp.,* Brooklyn, New York (W56HZV-21-D-L006); Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp.,* Galveston, Texas (W56HZV-21-D-L007); Lyon Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L008); Mare Island Dry Dock, Vallejo, California (W56HZV-21-D-L009); Metal Trades Inc.,* Yonges Island, South Carolina (W56HZV-21-D-L010); Murtech Inc.,* Glen Burnie, Maryland (W56HZV-21-D-L011); Platypus Marine Inc., Port Angeles, Washington (W56HZV-21-D-L012); Swiftships LLC,* Morgan City, Louisiana (W56HZV-21-D-L013); Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon (W56HZV-21-D-L014); and Yank Marine Services,* Dorchester, New Jersey (W56HZV-21-D-L015), will compete for each order of the $235,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the purpose of performing on-condition cyclic maintenance, modifications, modernizations and repairs, requiring the use of a dry dock as well as sustainment maintenance, modernization efforts on the Army Watercraft Fleet of vessels. Bids were solicited via the internet with 16 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 26, 2026. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

 

Bay Ship & Yacht Co. provide drydocking and ship repair, yacht refit, industrial fabrication, and shipbuilding services. The Company offers naval architecture and marine engineering, machinery maintenance, painting, repair and installation, structural carpentry, and integrated project management services. Bay Ship & Yacht operates in the United States. (www.bloomberg.com)

US Foods Inc Awarded $377.7M IDIQ Contract For Full-line Food Distribution.

Posted on by Eric Coffie

US Foods Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $377,791,948 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a two-year base contract with one one-year option period and one two-year option period. Locations of performance are Virginia and North Carolina, with Jan. 7, 2023, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-21-D-3313). 

 

US Foods, Inc. distributes food products. The Company offers fresh meats, appetizers, prepared meals, and frozen foods. US Foods serves the educational institutions, restaurants, healthcare, hospitality, and government sectors in the United States. (www.bloomberg.com)

Patricia Bonilla: Building a World-Class Construction Firm on Faith

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn how to build a world-class construction firm through faith with Patricia Bonilla!

BACKGROUND

Growing up in Dominican Republic and being the eldest, Patricia Bonilla learned to be competitive. She joined different extracurricular activities such as swimming and ballet, and also helped her father with his business during summer or in her free time. 

Meanwhile, after working in the City of Fort Lauderdale as the Head of Construction Division, she decided to build Lunacon Construction Group, a Miami-based company providing different construction services, in 2007.

Currently, Lunacon has a bonding capacity of $15M single and $50 aggregate, as well as catering more than 300 clients worldwide in their five office locations, in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.

Apart from that, Bonilla has also been recognized as the 2014 SBA State of Florida Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year and in the Good to Great and ABC’s in Excellence, among others. 

“I’m very competitive. I don’t think I’ve measured myself by somebody else’s actions. I think I compete with myself. I would say I’m probably a crazy visionary. I see things and I want to get them done.”

LUNACON CONSTRUCTION GROUP

When Patricia Bonilla quit her job, a handful of people, including her brother, thought that she was crazy and that she’s not ready. However, she did what she had to do. 

“And you know what? It’s just the belief inside was stronger than any of those. The belief in what was possible was stronger than the fear that was trying, was being, that people was trying (to impose on me).” 

And because they’re mainly a start-up, she had to invest her time and money in marketing and networking, even though her partner was doubting the results of these activities. She just put everything into faith and waited for something to come. 

“I was proactive in the sense that I was traveling everywhere I could possibly go, to learn about it, to expose the company, brand the company with the federal government.”

Then, when she’s on the verge of giving up, a blessing comes in. Someone she had worked before called her for a  $23 million job.

“If we believe something is coming, what we need to be doing is not retreating from the direction we think we’re going to go, but to prepare for the floodgate to be able to receive what’s coming.”

However, building and managing Lunacon was not that easy. The only thing that helped her is being true with her words and that people believed in Lunacon’s story of a company that started in a garage. 

“And I believe people can see the transparency of the words. Sometimes, I think they can see through to the soul. So again, that doesn’t mean that we have not made a lot of mistakes. I have. And I’ve learned a lot.”

ADVICE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS 

1. Believe in yourself. 

Regardless if you are native to this country or not, you can do what Patricia Bonilla did. The only thing that you need is to believe in yourself and everything that you want to happen will happen. 

“If you were willing to work and work hard, because I think you have to work, go through the process, and be honest to the process, you can get to wherever you want to be. Everyone, including those that don’t look like you, will give you a chance if you have that desire. But just believe that you can do it. That’s the only job we have. Believe it!”

2. Learn to network yourself.

If you are not willing to take time and effort in communicating with other people in your industry, they will never know about you and your capabilities. 

Besides, even when you don’t get a contract, this is a way for you to build relationships and be with people who understand what you do. 

“Every time I go or support any of these institutions, I end up receiving a lot from the people I meet there. It’s a gathering for networking and I cannot tell you enough about networking. Even if you don’t get a contract when you go to a networking, you tend to meet people that are amazing. You know, some of them become really good friends of yours. You may not engage into a transactional relationship, but the gains are far beyond.”

3. Prove your capabilities. 

There might be a small number of women who build businesses but that doesn’t mean that men are at fault. It’s just that we need to catch up and be a motivation to other women. 

“Nobody’s responsible for your growth, but yourself.”

5. Hire diverse talents.

Not because you’re a Cuban-owned small business, then you will only hire employees that are Cuban. The same also goes with a company whose employees are all white. 

You should consider that talent is something that is not specific for one race, it comes from everywhere. And that’s the reason why big corporations hire diverse talent.

“You are preventing yourself from understanding other points of view, from bringing innovation from another side of the world that you might, you might be, what are you missing by not having a company that is diverse and includes all.”

RESOURCES

If you want to learn how to build a world-class construction firm through faith with Patricia Bonilla, 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!

021: Patricia Bonilla – Building a world-class Construction firm on Faith

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/021-2/

Building a world class Construction firm on Faith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9rCFHvV76Y&list=PL6-jBNNcc98vTBvNhFYfUTeH0k-Vx2VBH&index=3

Eastern Airlines LLC Awarded $284.9M Firm Fix Price Contract

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Eastern Airlines LLC, Wayne, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract (HTC711-21-D-C001) in the amount of $284,932,621. The contract provides door-to-door, time-definite, pick-up and delivery, transportation, timely and accurate shipment tracking, government third party payment system participation, customs clearance processing (if applicable), and shipment data reporting. This contract provides heavyweight delivery services for domestic and international shipments. Work will be performed internationally and domestically, with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2022. The initial contracts were awarded in April 2019. The estimated program value is for three and a half years. Ordering is decentralized and funding is provided by multiple government agencies. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

 

Eastern Air Lines, Inc. provides passenger air transportation services and transports mail and air freight over portions of its routes in the US. On 3/9/89, Eastern and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ionosphere Clubs, Inc., filed for bankruptcy. The Company, a subsidiary of Texas Air Corporation, operates as a debtor-in-possession. (www.bloomberg.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Counter Nuclear Smuggling Systems Deployment (CNSSD)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The NNSA Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) is conducting a market survey for their Counter Nuclear Smuggling Systems Deployment services. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) seeks qualified small businesses, small business-led teams, and joint ventures that qualify as a small business, capable of performing Counter Nuclear Smuggling Systems Deployment services in design, integration, construction, communications, logistics, and training for the Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) Program, under the NAICS code: 237990 — Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction ($39.5M size standard).

  • Original Set Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
  • Product Service Code: Y1PZ – CONSTRUCTION OF OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES
  • NAICS Code: 237990 – Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Updated Response Date: Feb 11, 2021 12:00 pm MST

Full details via beta.sam.gov

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

Dec. 10 CA: Collins Engineers Inc Lands $30M IDIQ A/E Contract

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Collins Engineers Inc., Chicago, Illinois, is awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, architect-engineering contract with a maximum amount of $30,000,000 for multi-discipline architect-engineering services in support of small waterfront projects primarily in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia in the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic (MIDLAND) area of operations (AO). The work to be performed provides for comprehensive architect-engineering services for waterfront planning, design, construction, evaluation of new construction, and renovation projects located primarily within the NAVFAC MIDLAND AO, and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, but may also include work worldwide. An initial task order for the minimum guarantee is being awarded at $5,000. Work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within NAVFAC MIDLAND AO primarily in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of November 2025. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); and O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. NAVFAC MIDLAND, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-20-D-0007).

Collins Engineers, Incorporated provides engineering services. The Company offers structural and transportation analysis and design, and underwater engineering services. Collins Engineers operates in the United States. (www.bloomberg.com)

Elliott Branch: Retired Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Acquisition and Procurement

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn to master these things to gain success in the federal marketplace with retired Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Acquisition and Procurement, Elliot Branch!

BACKGROUND

After over 30 years of service, Elliot B. Branch retired as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Acquisition and Procurement. 

During his service, his responsibilities included being the principal civilian advisor to the Navy Acquisition Executive for procurement matters, governing the operation of the agency’s worldwide and multi-billion dollar acquisition system, and being the community leader of the agency’s contracting workforce. 

Mr. Branch is also a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and the National Contract Management Association, as well as the recipient of the 2012 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Management Excellence Medal, among others. 

Currently, he is a managing member of KJM Consulting wherein he provides acquisition advice and training. 

FEDERAL CONTRACTING CHANGES

1. Small Business Programs

“I believe that the numbers demonstrated that we were sending more dollars to small businesses, but we were sending them to fewer small businesses.”

When Branch started working with the Navy, the government had basically three small business programs; then, as the years went by, a handful of business programs were established.

Although these programs are especially helpful for its target small businesses, these also confuse both contractors and contracting officials. 

“As you can see we’ve moved from about three pretty well defined programs that didn’t really overlap very much. To this plethora of preference and set aside programs which overlap, can overlap quite a bit. There is a level of confusion for both acquisition personnel as well as the people who sell to them.”

2. Technology

In the ‘70s, desk calculators were cutting edge; but now, we have different platforms, softwares, and applications. 

What these changes did is it helped us democratize our government’s works, but this also negated the small things that small businesses used to sell.

“Think about now. What you have is this explosion, this information technology explosion, which has done a couple of things. One, it has really kind of, if you will, it democratized work as I like to say. It’s eliminated some of the clerical specialties we had, stenographers, typists, the typing pool, that whole thing. But the other thing that it has allowed us to do is to aggregate information.”

The other thing that it did is it helped us understand the government’s demand and how different industries supply it. However, this also became a challenge for small businesses. 

“Those guys that were sitting outside the gate, selling toner or selling the one-off PC or the one-off software package, no longer have that business. They again have to go approach the big primes in some of these fields to be able to sell into these markets because the introduction of technology has essentially changed the nature of some of the markets that they use to sell into in government.”

ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

1. Understand what you’re getting into. 

Doing business with the government is different from being in the private industry because it requires some degree of discretion and a handful of rules and regulations. 

Hence, you strongly need to understand how the federated model works, or else you’ll just waste your time talking to the wrong people. 

“If you’re going to go into this business, you need to understand what business you’re going into because the government does things differently. Because it is the government and frankly the taxpayer expects them to do things differently. Because it’s about integrity. It’s about transparency. It’s about opportunity for everybody to participate.”

2. Define your value proposition. 

You might have good ideas but you need to understand that it should have a value proposition towards a target market. 

For instance, the tool that you want to provide to Community X might really be needed in Community Y because community Y does function A and Community X does function B. So, Community X is not going to use your tool, but Community Y will.” 

“I would argue if you really want to make a sale, if you really want to establish a relationship, the first thing you need to do is you need to really walk in with what I’ll call a ‘listening heart.’ You know, hear the person who needs something and listen to their pain points in the problem that they’re trying to solve.” 

3. Your resumes are important. 

The government wants to see the resumes and the experiences of your employees because they buy the inputs, instead of measuring the output of a project.

With this, they look at those resumes, check your past performance, organizational structure, and history, and assess how you manage those people in your management plan.

“What I do is I tend to buy the inputs and this is why you see a lot of solicitations structured with levels of effort and the number of hours we want to buy and labor categories. And then I would want to see strong resumes because that’s what gives me the high degree of confidence that you can deliver.”

4. You have to network.

You need to get yourself out there and go to industry days, trade shows, conferences, and any event that the government is present, especially if you have some unique proposition.

You can start with a white paper that doesn’t expose your entire idea and start having conversations with these folks to get you to a place where they can help shape a requirement so that you can at least bid against others. 

“I think the key is, how do you get to the folks who made the kinds of decisions to broaden the specifications, to consider unique and innovative proposals. And that’s, I think, where the networking comes in.”

5. These business programs are just footholds. 

You should keep in mind that these small business programs are not forever applicable to your business. So, you need to learn how to take advantage of its perks while you are still at it. 

“You can rely on these preference programs. They are a good foothold or a good toehold. But if you really want to grow, you’ve got to have a strategy that will launch you in terms of growth, steeply enough that you kind of overcome the, if you will, the inertia that’s pushing you back to be this small business. Because as soon as you get out of those protected programs, that base work, you are depending on disappears.”

THE NATION NEEDS YOU!

Way back in the ‘90s when the Berlin Wall fell down and the Soviet Union imploded, the U.S. were involved in a fairly quiet but intense submarine conflict with the Russians.

However, instead of investing in submarine combat system technology, we shifted into using IT to convert our submarine softwares. And this is where, you, small businesses played a major role.

“My advice is if you have capability, don’t give up because the nation needs you. It’s just as simple as that. You know, come in every day. Learn, you know, from your successes and failures every day; how to get a little bit better at maneuvering in the government space. Talk to people who are in that space. You’d be surprised how helpful they’re willing to be both government and industry because everybody’s looking for new sources. And be a mentor to the next guy who wants to get in the space because, fundamentally, we’re all in this together.”

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more on Elliot Branch’s advice in mastering success in the federal marketplace, 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!

020: Elliott Branch – Former Director of Contracts Naval Sea Systems Command and SES Member

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/020-2/

This LEGEND has 20+ YEARS in Government Procurement!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQP39DhlEEA&list=PL6-jBNNcc98vTBvNhFYfUTeH0k-Vx2VBH&index=4

Corliss “Mama U” Udoema: Inspiring CEO shares Advice on Business and Faith!

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Gain timeless wisdom in running your business and your life with Corliss “Mama U” Udoema’s Advice on Business and Faith!

BACKGROUND

Corliss “Mama U” Udoema served for over 20 years in the US Marine Corps, as an Assistant Officer in Charge for the Facility Supports Contracts, and as a Supervisory Procurement Analyst in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, respectively. 

Then, in 2006, she founded Contract Solutions, Inc. (CSI), a professional staffing and management support services company providing acquisition support, training solutions, human resources, and technology solutions.

She is also the President and founder of Agape Love in Action, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to helping people in need. 

With all of these, her motto in delivering excellence is a reflection on why she is an acclaimed businesswoman and CSI is part of the Inc. 5000 list for the last consecutive 3 years, and the 2019 USDA Small Business Contractor of the Year, among others. 

THE SUCCESS CONTRACT SOLUTIONS, INC. 

1. Starting the Business. 

Mama U was not really interested in starting a business but when asked by a friend to do it while doing some contract administration with her, she then founded CSI. 

Meanwhile, she also took a position as a Senior Acquisition Consultant at another company, however, after the company lost a contract, she decided to really focus on her business. 

With this, she decided to be part of the 8a program, after being told that the government would only call them back if they are part of a GSA schedule or any other business development program.

“So that’s what I did. And they would ask for something. Then I would, you know, give it to them immediately. Even if I had to get somebody to walk it through, you know, in another town, another state, I would do that.”

2. The Secrets for their Growth. 

In order to really achieve business growth, she hired excellent individuals who have the necessary expertise in various fields needed for their services. 

“A lot of times we want to know the answers, but there’s so many times when you’re running a business, you’re not going to always know the answers. So here’s what I tried to do. I tried to know what I know as opposed to what I don’t know… I tried to find someone that does know. So, you know, the different little things and that’s one of them. And the other one is, you know, to surround yourself with champions.”

Moreover, she makes sure that she works effectively as a rooftop manager who sees all the angles in order to gain the trust of her employees. 

“It’s not easy because when people don’t see what you see, sometimes they won’t… they won’t trust you enough to follow.”

Most importantly, what makes CSI an outstanding company is how Mama U and her team steps up in really achieving their motto. 

“Do it with excellence. You know, no slides was allowed. Do it with excellence. Do it with excellence. And people (will) come back.”

ADVICE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

1. Have a strong foundation.

When you are starting out as a business owner, you need to have a strong foundation that can handle your growth and success. 

For instance, this might be getting the right information about the marketplace from Small Business Technical Centers, or networking with other businesses. 

“One tiny, you see one little step, that’s the key in business… You just can’t start off, you know, at the top, you know, and make a plan to grow it but don’t have it. It’s like me, if I tried to put 60 people on the foundation of what I had when I first started, it would, what? It would crumble. It would not be strong enough. So, you have to make sure that you, as you build out your foundation, that is strong enough to support what you’re going to put on top of it.” 

2. Plan the end in mind.

Whether you are on your way to success or you are starting out, you need to have a roadmap to help you focus on what you planned to do. This is why you need to have a business plan.

“When you think about critical path with respect to the business, the first thing to me is a good business plan. You’re beginning with the end in mind, right? Some people say, ‘Oh, well, I’ll just, you know, wing it.’ Well, you know what? That’s probably what you’re going to end up with, a chicken wing.”

3. Do not get into a better-than-nothing relationship.

In employing team members and dealing with clients, you should be with someone that is really interested in what you offer and, in return, you should treat them right. 

For instance, you should hire someone that is interested in your $50 pay for an hour because when you hire someone who really wants $70, then that person might stay in your company but is looking for another company who provides better pay and benefits. 

This also goes with your clients. They might give you an opportunity but just once because they will look for another company the next time. 

“When you get those things in sync, you’ll have good retention. Your clients will be happy because they won’t have to follow the bouncing ball all over again. You know, time… and you do excellent.”

4. Deliver excellence. 

Regardless if you offer products or services, it should be delivered with excellence because if not, it will strongly affect your company. 

This also goes with hiring employees. You strongly need to have people who believe in your vision because if they didn’t, then it would be hard for them to achieve your goals and do their tasks with excellence. 

“I realized that if I work 24 hours a day, as hard as I could… that the best that I could do was average. And I said, ‘I don’t do average as that.’ But once I got the platinum card, then I came back and I started to contract there with her. So, you don’t, I know you’re not a person that does average, I know you’re not.”

5. Just be patient. 

The three P’s that you need are prayer, planning, patience. You might find it easy to pray and plan things, but patience is where most people get into problems.

“You started, you have a pot of dirt, you have that seed, you have that business seed, right? And you know, it takes time. And when people come and look, they don’t see anything, right? But you know, you have a seed in the ground and it takes time. You don’t just put the seed in the ground and then, you know, and the pot and in two days later, boom, you’re big. So it truly is a step by step process.”

RESOURCES

If you want to listen to Mama U’s wisdom in running your business, 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!

022: Corliss “Mama U” Udoema – The most inspiring CEO great grandmother of all time talks business, faith and timeless wisdom

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/022-2/

GREAT GRANDMA CEO drops all the Wisdom!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut4sdy6C2ds&list=PL6-jBNNcc98vTBvNhFYfUTeH0k-Vx2VBH&index=5

Boeing Co Awarded $265,022,000 Firm-fixed-price Delivery Order Contract Modification

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Boeing Co, Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $265,022,000 firm-fixed-price, delivery order contract modification (P00001) to contract H92241-19-F-0091 for the procurement of nine MH-47G Chinook aircraft in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

This modification raises the contract ceiling to $285,800,000. The majority of the work will be performed in Ridley Park and is expected to be completed February 2023.

The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide.

Janetta Brewer: Government Contract Compliance Expert

Posted on by Eric Coffie

An experienced government contract compliance expert, Janetta Brewer shares important information on the rules followed by the federal government and how businesses should remain compliant to all of these rules. 

BACKGROUND

Janetta Brewer, Esq. had worked in different roles in various government agencies including the US Navy, Defense Logistics Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, and in the Department of Defense. 

In her last federal appointment, she was  a senior member of the Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy staff wherein she developed acquisition regulations and guidance that helped streamline the process and improve contract execution outcomes.

Currently, she is the owner of her own consulting company, Blue Alchemy Consulting, where she helps both government and industry clients in providing innovative policy processes, IT systems, and workforce development solutions. 

PROCESS OF CHANGING THE FAR OR DFARS

Primarily, the Federal Acquisition Regulation is the set of principles, rules, and regulations that govern the federal procurement process.

However, consider that if you are working with other agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, or the GSA, these agencies have their own rules to supplement the FAR.

Then, when the 809 panel or the people appointed by the Congress to streamline  the acquisition process recommend changes in the regulations, there’s a process to follow before changes are made. 

At the FAR staff level or the DARS staff level, whenever there’s a recommended change to a regulation, these people have to review and assess that proposed change first to determine its impact to the industry and to small businesses and to what extent. This is a requirement. 

The government will then issue a proposed rule highlighting all of their assessment and its impact to various small businesses and industries.

In most cases, this is where the industry groups come in place and put their inputs on whether they agree or disagree to the proposed ruling together with their reasons. The government heavily relies upon the input that was received from industry groups in this process.

Afterwards, the government will then create a final rule highlighting all of the changes through their assessment of the industry recommendations. 

So, the final rules go into the maximum extent possible as the government tries to reduce the cost and impact on the industry while maintaining the regulatory requirement in place.

“We can not do something the Congress has mandated. We can only throw our implementation, try to do it in a way that reduces the impact of contractors.”

ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

In dealing with the government, you need to be compliant with the rules that are put in place.

Don’t just focus on building better products and winning new contracts, you also need to build a compliant operational framework. This way, when the government does an audit, there will be no errors found. 

“One of the ways that you invest in a company is exposing them to better ways to build a compliance framework so to speak. I would say that’s one of the areas that’s typically neglected as just companies in general.”

Also, you need to use the solicitation to your advantage. Consider that when there’s a dispute or changes in the instructions that are not written in the solicitation, you have both the ability to highlight that it is a change in the overall contract and ask for some type of remedy towards those changes.

“The more knowledge you have and the more you understand what your obligations and requirements are, but also not just what yours are but what the government’s obligations and responsibilities are to you, then you feel more comfortable and confident speaking.”

Lastly, you need to begin with the end in mind. If you aim to work with the federal government for the next five years, then you need to build the appropriate processes and framework that are in compliance with the rules and regulations. 

“Because as you grow, obviously, sometimes you don’t necessarily have the time to invest in the backend stuff and it’s always easier if you have the framework in place to begin with and try to build it on the back end.”

RESOURCES

If you want to watch the full video of the interview with Janetta Brewer as she shares important information on the rules followed by the federal government and how businesses should remain compliant to all of these rules, then be sure to click the links down below.

016: Janetta Brewer ESQ – Government Contracts Compliance Expert ­

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/janetta-brewer-esq-government-contracts-compliance-expert/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcAqs6jHAt0&list=PL6-jBNNcc98vTBvNhFYfUTeH0k-Vx2VBH&index=2