Public Contracting Institute Blog
The Public Contracting Institute blog supplement our govcon training offerings with insightful articles written by leading professionals across the government contracts industry. Our professionals publish articles on topics on government contracts administration, accounting, bids/proposals, disputes, claims, and much more. For more inforamation about our blog, reach out to seminars@publiccontractinginstitute.com.
Additionally, look for the PCI Practical Matters Podcast, coming soon! It will cover the latest news in our industry, along with insightful commentary on the most important topics in Government Contracting.
NEW CONTRACTING OFFICER IS NO REASON TO DELAY DECISION ON CLAIM
The Contract Disputes Act (“CDA”) requires timely final decisions on claims, except when there is a reasonable basis for a delay. (See discussion below). Despite the statutory requirements, Contracting Officers (“CO”) frequently delay making a final decision on a...
EVERYONE WISHES AGENCIES WOULD COMPLY, BUT…
On January 5, 2017, the Acting Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy issued a “Myth-Busting” memorandum on the importance of agencies giving good debriefings. As readers know, Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) 15.505 provides for pre-award debriefings and...
POORLY WRITTEN PROPOSALS—WHAT HAPPENS?
Well-written proposals in response to government contract solicitations are important for any contractor who wants to obtain federal contracts. There is a flourishing industry on the internet and in the consulting world that provides contractors with assistance in...
The PCI Network – Character Traits for a Great Government Contracts Professional
In this episode of The PCI Network, the head of our FUN with the FAR series, Stephen Daoust, discusses the four traits of a great government contracts professional. Throughout his 25-year career, Steve has worked as a Chief Government Contracts Counsel, Director of...
REMINDER: ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS ARE EXEMPT FROM CERTAIN SIZE RULES
Before submitting a size protest, small businesses would be advised to consider that Alaska Native Corporations (“ANCs”) are exempted from a number of the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) size affiliation regulations. A recent protest urged the SBA Office of...
The PCI Network – Ethics in Government Contracting
Understanding the difference between right and wrong isn't always as easy as you may think. In the Federal Contracting industry, there are important ethical distinctions that can create confusion if you don't know where to look. Join Fred Geldon, a PCI Director and...
GAO SUSTAINS INCREASE IN 2016
The Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) released its annual bid protest report to the congress for fiscal year 2016 on December 15, 2016 (B-158766). The GAO actually received nearly 2,800 protests in FY2016, but dismissed or immediately denied nearly 80 percent...
KNOWINGLY MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO OBTAIN A CONTRACT-VOID AB INITIO REDUX
In an earlier column, “Void Ab Initio” (May 3, 2016), this blog explained the basic principle that a contract that is tainted by fraud or wrongdoing is void ab initio, i.e, void from the very beginning. If a contractor knowingly makes a material false statement which...
WHERE DO ACTION OFFICERS DREAM UP THESE SCHEMES?
In the Army, much of the staff work is performed by Action Officers (“AO”) whose job it is to “make things happen.” Unfortunately, some AO’s are so dedicated to making something happen that they skirt the procurement laws or regulations. That is what appeared to...
UNREASONABLE POST-PERFORMANCE ACTIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT
In two recent Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (“ASBCA”) cases, the Board sustained the appeals and found the agency’s post-performance actions to be unreasonable. In one case, Avant Assessment, LLC, ASBCA No. 58866, Sept. 28, 2016, the Army terminated a...
