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.
GAO Protest Denial Not an “Optimal” Solution
Optimal Solutions & Technologies ("OST") protested the issuance of a task order to Metters Incorporated by the Department of Homeland Security on the grounds that DHS improperly evaluated the offerors' proposals. The evaluation criteria for this best value...
The Straight Dope on the GSA Schedules Program
Authored by Larry Allen, Allen Federal Business Partners Does your company currently hold a GSA or VA Schedule contract? Have you been told by a customer or consultant that you “must” get a Schedule in order to do government business? Alternatively, have you been...
Agency Lacks Jurisdiction to Hear Agency-Level Protest ???
If an agency lacks jurisdiction to decide a particular agency-level protest, can its dismissal of that protest on the grounds that the agency didn't have jurisdiction to hear the protest in the first instance really be considered "adverse agency action"? In a protest...
CAS 404 – Capitalization of Tangible Assets (Part 1 of 2)
*CAS 404 Capitalization of Tangible Assets. This is Part 1 of a 2-part blog. This Part 1 addresses (i) the basic fundamental requirements at CAS 404-40(a), 404-(b)(1), and 404-(b)(2); and (ii) the techniques for application at CAS 404-50(a), as well as the...
DARPA’s Conflict-of-Interest Program Gets Clean Bill of Health
It is well understood that government employees are subject to a wide variety of ethics and disclosure obligations. Indeed, with contractor employees becoming more involved in procurement support roles, similar obligations are being imposed on contractor employees –...
FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal
Applicability: This FAR solicitation provision is included when “brand name or equal” purchase descriptions are included in a solicitation. Key Requirements: For items identified in the solicitation as “brand name or equal”, this solicitation provision requires that...
GAO Recommends Little Relief to Incurred Cost Submission Backlog
Guest Authors: Capital Edge Consulting (http://capitaledgeconsulting.com/): The recent GAO report on the backlog of audits of Incurred Cost Proposals is unfocused. The conclusion highlights the fundamental issue at hand in the statement, “DOD has fallen far behind in...
Preparing for Sequestration – Driven Contract Terminations and Restructures
Guest Author: Elizabeth A. Ferrell, McKenna Long & Aldridge. Originally posted at http://www.mckennalong.com/publications-advisories-3160.html With the looming threat of sequestration, there is significant uncertainty regarding the budgetary resources that will be...
The Day the Trim on the Supreme Court’s Windows Served to Trim the Doctrine of Superior Knowledge
Grunley Construction Company Inc. requested an equitable adjustment from the Architect of the Capitol ("AOC") under a contract to retrofit or replace the Supreme Court's first floor windows with windows that would be able to withstand an explosion. Grunley...
Healthcare – A Look Ahead at 2013
Rod Benson prepared this blog. He serves as Counsel for the Washington, D.C. law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. Rod previously served as the Director of Acquisition and Grants for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As companies consider...