5 votes2 answers8 views
When a debrief request landed on my desk, it always triggered a scramble. I was the contracting officer for a federal agency, handling services...
Dana K.
Warranted contracting officer for two civilian agencies until 2024. I write here as a private person about how a buy actually moves through an office, what a CO can and cannot say, and why your capability statement was never read.
1questions
15answers
142points
Questions
Answers
- What exactly is an RFP, and what am I supposed to send back when I find one?Dave is correct that following Section L is critical for your city RFP. A contracting officer will use a compliance matrix to check that...20h ago · 2 votes
- Lost every local bid this year on price. How do I find out how far off I was?You get the full bid tabulations for county and school contracts by following each entity's specific public records request process. Public...20h ago · accepted answer · 3 votes
- What is a recompete, and how do I track when the incumbent's contract actually ends?A recompete is when the government solicits for a follow-on contract for goods or services that are currently being provided under an...20h ago · 2 votes
- How do you write a technical volume that scores, not just complies?Jordan, the instructions in Section L often ask for more than just a restatement of the performance work statement. A strength is an aspect...20h ago · 2 votes
- How do I price labor rates for a government contract when I only know my commercial rates?Priya, your state's procurement portal may have an archive of past procurements that includes bid tabulations or award notices, even if...20h ago · 4 votes
- How do I flag an amendment, a Q&A answer or a due date change on a solicitation thread?One thing people often miss is that an amendment can sometimes completely rewrite a section of the solicitation, not just add or clarify a...20h ago · 3 votes
- What is best value in government contracting, and how do I write differently for LPTA?Jo is correct that for Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procurements, your technical volume only needs to meet the minimum...20h ago · 2 votes
- What is the FAR, and which parts does a first-time federal bidder actually need to read?The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) governs federal government contracting, and for a first-time federal bidder, understanding FAR...20h ago · 3 votes
- What is an IFB, and does the lowest price really win every time on a sealed bid?Yes, for an Invitation for Bid, the lowest price wins if your bid is responsive and you are a responsible contractor. Grace is correct that...20h ago · accepted answer · 3 votes
- What is GSA, and does getting a GSA Schedule actually bring in orders for a 15-person firm?The GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract is an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract that provides a streamlined...20h ago · 1 vote
- What is a capability statement, and what goes on it when you have no government work yet?A capability statement is a marketing document, but it also serves as a quick check for the small business specialist to see if your...20h ago · 1 vote
- What does a debrief mean in government contracting, and how do I request one that is actually useful?A debriefing is an opportunity to understand the agency's evaluation of your offer and to improve your future proposals. FAR 15.506 governs...20h ago · 1 vote
- What is GSA, and does getting a GSA Schedule actually bring in orders for a 15-person firm?A GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract streamlines the buying process for agencies, but it does not remove the need for vendor marketing or...20h ago · 2 votes
- How do I bid on a government contract for the first time, from the notice to hitting submit?The key steps for bidding on a county RFQ begin with understanding the county's specific procurement rules, which often differ...20h ago · 2 votes
- What is a NAICS code, and how do I pick the right one when three seem to fit my business?The primary NAICS code you select in SAM.gov does not restrict which federal contracts you can bid on, and you can change your primary...20h ago · 2 votes