When protests are worth the battle Aug 30, 2013 When talking about bid protests, there is constant debate about whether there needs to be reforms in light of the growing number of protests filed each year and — if so — what should those reforms look like. But also worth a hard look: the wasted […]
The harm of baseless protests Aug 23, 2013 Bid protests. Some contractors swear by their value, while others think that they are a waste of time. Some contracting officers view protests as a personal attack on their integrity, others just see them as part of the landscape. What few can argue though is that the […]
Is your proposal realistic? If not, the feds could change it. Aug 16, 2013 We all know that contracts often ride on price. But as SAIC found out, if the government doesn’t believe you can do the work for the price you proposed, it just might adjust it upward, then deem your proposal too expensive. […]
Do agencies follow the rules in contract awards? Make them prove it. Aug 9, 2013 For all the flaws in the protest process, one fact remains relatively consistent: if the government can’t justify its award based on the law and the terms of the solicitation, a contractor can win a protest. Protesting contractor: Grunley Construction […]
What’s government willing to pay? The ultimate question. Aug 2, 2013 Whether you are a consumer shopping for a car or a government agency shopping for products and services that support your mission, the goal is always to get the most you can get for the least amount of money spent. The challenge in government […]
Brand matters in federal procurement Jul 26, 2013 In the mid 1980s, Pepsi and Coke launched what has become known as the cola wars. Both companies engaged in a fierce battle to persuade the public that they were better than the other. Who won? Neither. People just can’t be persuaded to switch brands, which is […]
The subjective meaning of “responsible” Jul 19, 2013 The most basic requirement to be considered for the award of a government contract is to submit a responsive offer and be a responsible offeror. Being responsive to the solicitation is relatively straightforward, provided that there are no ambiguities in the solicitation, but what it means to […]
Justice can be expensive Jul 12, 2013 There is an oft-quoted saying that if you think talk is cheap, you haven’t talked to a lawyer. Retaining an attorney can be expensive, but in a bid protest it is absolutely required if you hope to be successful. A popular question therefore is this: Can I get […]
Let’s review: the two top lessons about contract protests Jun 28, 2013 There are two recommendations I’ve made repeatedly in this column: Show in your proposal how your company will do the work better than the competition, and know when to walk away. This recent decision by the Government Accountability Office shows that the contractor […]
The squeaky wheel doesn’t always get the grease Jun 21, 2013 Bid protesting is more art than science. Fair or not, there is often a point when an agency digs in its heels and a contractor simply can’t win. Just ask East West Inc., which after three years and three protests went from the highest […]
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