The dilemma of protesting an agency’s solicitation Aug 3, 2012 It is well-known that protest deadlines are strict: Protests involving the solicitation must be received before the due date for proposals, and those involving the award must be received within10 days of the agency’s decision. Deciding whether or not to protest in the case of […]
Price rules the day in contract awards Jul 27, 2012 Until recently, my advice to young entrepreneurs interested in winning government contracts has been consistent: do something that no one else is doing or do what others are doing, but better. Now, the latter piece of that advice has changed; do work as good as […]
When contract bundling is justified Jul 20, 2012 Bundling presents a dilemma in contracting, often excluding small businesses from acting as the prime contractor at a time when agencies are failing to meet their small business contracting goals. However, bundling can also include substantial savings to the agency, and won’t likely face much scrutiny if […]
A near contract win won’t drive a successful protest Jul 13, 2012 If you have to lose, is it better to lose by a little or by a lot? The latter might be easier to accept, but the former is often more difficult to protest. Protesting contractors: Deloitte & Touche LLP, Arlington Contracting agency: Department […]
Incumbency is not a guarantee Jul 6, 2012 It is well documented that the incumbent has an advantage in contract renewals. But complacency can still lose a company a contract. Protesting contractor: Science Applications International Corp., McLean Contracting agency: Department of the Navy Issue: Whether the agency properly evaluated pricing and technical aspects of the […]
A win is a win in the eyes of GAO Jun 29, 2012 When the GAO recommends that contractors be reimbursed the cost of pursuing a successful protest it does not generally differentiate between successful and unsuccessful grounds. This is why many will recommend that a protesting company “throw everything against the wall and see […]
Don’t confuse, and don’t contradict in proposals Jun 22, 2012 Yes, some agencies reward out-of-the-box thinking, especially when it results in significant financial savings to the agency. However, there is a risk involved with that tactic, and offerors who do not follow the strict requirements of the solicitation can’t be surprised when their proposal is […]
The potential to be misled during the bid process Jun 15, 2012 Often there is not a clear consensus between an agency’s program staff and the contracting staff on what is actually being solicited, and confusion during discussions can lead bidders down the incorrect path. Seek clarity and don’t be afraid to protest if […]
The need to comply with a solicitation’s requirements Jun 8, 2012 Comply with the requirements of a request for proposals the first time around, or find yourself disqualified from the competition. Protesting contractor: EcoAnalysts Inc., Moscow, Idaho Contracting agency: Environmental Protection Agency Protest issue: Offerors must comply with limitations on subcontracting GAO decision, March 19, […]
Proving your worth in proposals Jun 1, 2012 Bidders often assume in their proposals that an agency or evaluator is aware of facts regarding technical, key personnel or past performance. It is easy to do, especially if the proposal includes personnel or skills provided by the company to the agency under a prior contract. But […]
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