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March 11, 2016 By AMK

Talking with a procurement icon about post-award contract management

Deidre (Dee) Lee entered the government in 1978 as a GS-4 contract specialist buying supplies at the U.S. military base in Okinawa.

post awardFrom there she rose up through the ranks, moving to NASA Johnson Space Center in 1984 and becoming the senior procurement official at NASA in 1992 (where I got to know her during my time as Office of Federal Procurement Policy administrator).

In 1997 she succeeded me as administrator (she was my choice for the job, and I was happy to see this go to a career civil servant), and from there she went back to the Defense Department in 2000. Dee also worked at the General Services Administration, and ultimately retired from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2008.

During her government career, she twice won a Fed 100 award, in 1998 and 2004. Six years ago she went to work for Fluor as chief for government group compliance and operations, a job from which she retired last year. Dee is now working as an independent consultant focusing on government contracting issues.

Keep reading this article at: https://fcw.com/blogs/lectern/2016/02/kelman-deidre-lee.aspx

 

Filed Under: Government Contracting News Tagged With: acquisition workforce, best practices, CO, contracting officer, contractor performance, COR, performance, post-award, program management

September 28, 2015 By AMK

Academy to introduce new courses on construction and A-E contracting in 2016

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech (The Academy) was recently approved by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) to teach CON 243: Architect-Engineer Contracting and CON 244: Construction Contracting.  

These two new professional education courses will be offered by The Academy in 2016.  The courses are ideal for both government contracting personnel as well as contractors looking for insights into the government contracting process.

CON 243: Architect-Engineer Contracting is a five-day course, focusing on contracting for architectural-engineering services, covers issues across the contracting spectrum, including acquisition planning, source selection, proposal analysis, contract award and work, and contract management. Specific topics and practical exercises allow professionals to gain knowledge of the Selection of Architects and Engineers statue, the Standard Form 330, slate and selection process, review of government estimates, liability, Title II services, modifications, and contracting officer’s representative (COR) responsibilities. In this advanced course, students learn how to research proper application and interpretation of conflicting regulatory guidance, including Public Law, FAR, the DFARS and other Agency Supplements to the FAR, and legal precedence.

Who Should Attend CON 243:

Contracting officers, contract specialists, contracting officer representatives, program/project managers, small business specialists, industry contracting personnel, architects and engineers.

How You Will Benefit:

Attendees learn how to:

    • Determine if the services require Selection of Architects and Engineers Statute procedures and how to identify the basic steps necessary for the requirement.
    • Distinguish how the project is to be advertised and determine what is to be contained in the advertisement.
    • Determine the elements necessary for performance work statements.
    • Evaluate firms and determining the order in which they will be ranked once service has been advertised and qualifications statements received,
    • Determine applicable cost principles specific to A-E contracting in order to prepare a Government estimate or review a proposal.
    • Recognize when and how a Government cost estimate for the project is developed.
    • Develop a strategy and negotiating the project given an A-E firm’s proposal and the Government estimate,
    • Distinguish how the Government maintains quality assurance on the contract after it has been awarded.
    • Analyze the roles and responsibilities of those charged with the management and administration of the contract after award.
Schedule for CON 243 – click here.

—————————————

CON 244CON 244: Construction Contracting focuses on unique construction contracting issues, such as acquisition planning, contract performance management, funding, environmental concerns, construction contract language, and construction contracting in the commercial setting, the Construction Wage Rate Requirements Statute, design/build, basic schedule delay analysis, constructive changes, acceleration, and construction contract quality management.

Who Should Attend CON 244:

Contracting officers, contract specialists, contracting officer representatives, program/project managers, small business specialists, and industry contracting personnel.

How You Will Benefit:

Attendees learn how to:

      • Apply the Federal acquisition laws, regulations, Department of Defense and other agency supplementation, policies, procedures, and best business practices in soliciting and administering construction contracts.
      • Contrast the regular support requirements with a Construction Acquisition Plan in accordance with FAR Parts 7 and 36, DFARS Parts 207 and 236 and agency supplements, policies and procedures.
      • Develop a construction solicitation package in accordance with FAR, agency supplements, and policy/procedures.
      • Evaluate the appropriate construction contract awardee.
      • Determine the applicable construction contract administration (compliance) approach, using FAR, DFARS, DoD regulation/guidelines, and other relevant agency supplement, procedures and best business practices.
      • Formulate the remedy and appropriate clause for a changed construction condition in accordance with Federal and DoD acquisition and other agency laws, regulations, and best business practices.
      • Document appropriate actions necessary to verify for construction progress payment or construction contract closeout.
Schedule for CON 244 – click here.

Filed Under: Academy News Tagged With: A-E, acquisition training, architecture, CON 243, CON 244, construction, COR, DAU, engineering, Georgia Tech

September 25, 2015 By AMK

New contingency contracting officers readying for possible deployment

A new group of contingency contracting officers is preparing to be among the first to deploy and provide expeditionary contracting support during the initial stages of future disaster and contingency operations.

The Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Office, part of Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Operations, created the cadre of 24 contracting officers after seeking volunteers from the agency’s contracting community early this year.

“This is a group of qualified, talented contracting officers who are dedicated to deploy anywhere in the world, whenever they’re needed,” said Charmaine Camper, director of JCASO’s Expeditionary Contracting Office.

Members of the Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Office, part of Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Operations, pose for a photo before kicking off weeklong training for 24 new contingency contracting officers.
Members of the Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Office, part of Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Operations, pose for a photo before kicking off weeklong training for 24 new contingency contracting officers.

Members received initial training in July and August on three core pillars: readiness, academics, and operational and battlefield preparation. The training plan incorporated lessons learned by expeditionary contracting officers Michaella Olson and Craig Hill while they were supporting Operation United Assistance in Africa, as well as JCASO members who deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Readiness instruction covered administrative details such as passports, family care plans, life insurance, vaccines and financial plans.

“Even those who had deployment experience commented that this part of the training was something they’d never received before. These aren’t things that you can learn from a book; they’re the result of several people sharing their experiences, and every experience is going to be different,” Camper said.

What to pack was another key readiness topic. Olson described her first deployment as a contracting officer. She was a civilian working for the Navy, heading to Tonga for Pacific Partnership 2013 with five overstuffed suitcases.

“After I had to lug all five of those suitcases up three or four flights of stairs and through the airport during 36 hours’ worth of travel, I never did that again,” Olson said. She recommended carrying one bag and a backpack.

Under academics, students became familiar with the Defense Contingency Contracting Handbook, which covers subjects like contingency funding, contract oversight and foreign acquisition. Other topics included emergency acquisitions, local procurement and common-user logistics.

Though it’s fairly easy to predict what customers will need during the early phases of an operation, contracting officials often have to help fine tune those requirements, Hill said. While he was in Africa, for example, engineers issued an urgent request for nails to build Ebola treatment units because they weren’t strong enough to penetrate the hard wood they were working with.

“They knew they needed different nails, but they didn’t know how many or what size, so I had to work through those details with them,” he said. “Sometimes, when you get a customer’s requirement, you realize they haven’t thought it all the way through and you have to ask questions to get it right.”

Instruction on operational and battlefield preparation highlighted the importance of knowing who the key players are and their respective roles. Understanding J-codes and their primary functions is crucial, Camper said, as well as being aware of the various units and government agencies that are contributing to the operation.

“It’s not just a matter of being good at contracting. A large part of our work involves coordinating and synchronizing with others, so you have to know who’s who, what they bring to the table and how you tie into mission,” she said.

Being aware of cultural differences is also important, Olson added, especially when dealing with local contractors whose help is vital and can dramatically impact the mission. She and Hill advised contracting officers to reach out to U.S. State Department officials as early as possible to collect basic information such as general business rules, and do’s and don’ts, which vary from country to country.

“Embassy officials can usually do electronic fund transfers in order to pay a bill. We can actually leverage that support to do a local contract and pay locally,” Hill said. “That’s a powerful tool.”

Those who deploy in support of contingency operations or disasters must change their mindset to be successful, Camper added. In their regular jobs, DLA’s contracting officers work in garrison environments with desks, phones and other necessary tools.

“When you deploy, you’re probably going to be sleeping and working in a tent. Or you could be working in a room without a desk, with just your laptop and whatever phone we give you,” Camper told the group.

Denise Vogelei, a contracting officer for DLA Troop Support who is also a member of the new contingency contracting officer cadre, said parts of the training were surprising.

“I don’t think I understood the full depth of what I was getting myself into when I volunteered. The training not only prepared me to deploy to an austere environment, but to react quickly to mission requirements and be confident enough in my contracting skills to ensure the warfighters have what they need to succeed,” she said.

The training also broadened Vogelei’s view of what it takes to support disasters and contingencies. During Operation United Assistance, she and her team in Philadelphia conducted market research and expedited contracts for gloves.

“It was very rewarding for me to go to DLA Headquarters and meet the people we were supporting downrange. Now I can see the full circle and know that what we do here at Troop Support makes a big difference on the ground,” she said.

Contingency contracting officers have played a major role in the early stages of disaster support and contingency operations for decades. DLA has established this new capability to fill a gap in expeditionary and contingency contracting support, Camper said.

“During military operations, there’s a gap in between the phases of operation where you need people right away to start standing things up. That’s where DLA contingency contracting officers add value. We can get things started using working capital funds and then turn it over to the services,” she added.

The training will be followed by additional instruction and a field training exercise later this year.

Source: http://www.dla.mil/DLA_Media_Center/Pages/Newcontingencycontractingofficersreadyingforpossibledeployment.aspx

Click here for information on Georgia Tech’s course entitled Contracting Officer Representative and the Contingency Contracting Environment.

Filed Under: Government Contracting News Tagged With: acquisition training, acquisition workforce, contingency contracting, contingency plan, contract funding, contracting officer's representatives, contracting officers, COR, DLA, DoD, foreign acquisition, oversight

September 21, 2015 By AMK

Contracting Officer’s Representative course kicks-off on Oct. 26th

Contracting officer’s representatives, program/project managers, contracting officers, and industry contracting personnel — all should attend the Contracting Education Academy’s popular 5-day course offering entitled the Contracting Officer Representative and the Contingency Contracting Environment.
The Contracting Officer Representative’s Course is one of The Academy’s most popular training offerings.
Course Description

The Contracting Officer’s Representative course (COR 222), coupled with the Contingency Contracting Environment class (COR 206), provides a comprehensive review and detailed instruction on the role and responsibilities of the federal government’s Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Students learn the fundamentals of contracting regulations, types, phases, and other elements of contract administration. Students are also coached on the ethical and legal factors that impact COR responsibilities in the normal course of business and in the Contingency Contracting Environment.

Who Should Attend

Contracting officer’s representatives, program/project managers, contracting officers, industry contracting personnel.

Registration

For details on how to register, please visit: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/cor-206222-contracting-officer-representative-course-and-contingency-contracting-environment

How You Will Benefit

You will learn:

  • How to review contract terms and conditions.
  • Each party’s role and responsibility in contract administration.
  • Proper documentation and approvals for contract changes and modifications.
  • How to monitor contract expenditures.
  • Contract close-out methodology.
  • How to manage ethical and legal issues in the contingency contracting environment.
Content
  • Recognizing the COR’s responsibilities in acquisition mission support planning.
  • Understanding the contract award process.
  • Tracking contract expenditures.
  • Monitoring contract schedule compliance.
  • Analyzing proposed contract changes.
  • Identifying the unique characteristics and monitoring protocols for construction contracts, major systems and R & D acquisitions.
  • Evaluating a contractor’s compliance with performance terms and conditions.
  • Handling cultural taboos in a contingency environment.
  • The process for reporting bribery, kickbacks and other illegal acts.
Materials

Provided to each student are a printed guide book with supplemental learning material, exercises, case studies, and handouts, and exclusive web-based materials.

What Students Say About This Course

Feedback from students who have recently attended attests to the quality and comprehensiveness of Georgia Tech’s COR 206/222 course approach:

  • “I got detailed knowledge and understanding of COR and CO duties and responsibilities.  I now have the knowledge I need to perform as a COR.”
  • “A very well-taught course.”
  • “The instructors are very knowledgeable.”
  • “Professional training providing insights and practical examples.”
  • “I valued the exercises — they helped a lot!  A wonderful course!”
  • “Great course — great instructors!”
  • “Excellent instruction.”
  • “I valued the format, facilities, and the instructor’s expertise.”
  • “Invaluable information — a mix of academic and real-world views.  Outstanding job.”
  • “Great job.  The knowledge of the instructors was remarkable.”
Additional Information

DAU logoThe Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech (The Academy) is an approved equivalency training provider to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and provides continuing education training to Acquisition and Government Contracting professionals as well as to business professionals working for government contractors or pursuing opportunities in federal contracting.  This course is DAU-equivalent training satisfying both FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs.

Filed Under: Academy News Tagged With: acquisition planning, acquisition training, contingency contracting, contract planning, contracting officer's representatives, COR, COR 206, COR 206/222, COR 222, DAU, FAR, Georgia Tech

May 28, 2015 By AMK

Plan now to attend Contracting Officer Representative course starting June 8th

Contracting officer’s representatives, program/project managers, contracting officers, and industry contracting personnel — all should attend the Contracting Education Academy’s popular 5-day course offering entitled the Contracting Officer Representative and the Contingency Contracting Environment.

Course Description

The Contracting Officer’s Representative course (COR 222), coupled with the Contingency Contracting Environment class (COR 206), provides a comprehensive review and detailed instruction on the role and responsibilities of the federal government’s Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Students learn the fundamentals of contracting regulations, types, phases, and other elements of contract administration. Students are also coached on the ethical and legal factors that impact COR responsibilities in the normal course of business and in the Contingency Contracting Environment.

Who Should Attend

Contracting officer’s representatives, program/project managers, contracting officers, industry contracting personnel.

The Contracting Officer Representative’s Course is one of The Academy’s most popular training offerings.

Registration

For details on how to register, please visit: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/cor-206222-contracting-officer-representative-course-and-contingency-contracting-environment

How You Will Benefit

You will learn:

  • How to review contract terms and conditions.
  • Each party’s role and responsibility in contract administration.
  • Proper documentation and approvals for contract changes and modifications.
  • How to monitor contract expenditures.
  • Contract close-out methodology.
  • How to manage ethical and legal issues in the contingency contracting environment.

Content

  • Recognizing the COR’s responsibilities in acquisition mission support planning.
  • Understanding the contract award process.
  • Tracking contract expenditures.
  • Monitoring contract schedule compliance.
  • Analyzing proposed contract changes.
  • Identifying the unique characteristics and monitoring protocols for construction contracts, major systems and R & D acquisitions.
  • Evaluating a contractor’s compliance with performance terms and conditions.
  • Handling cultural taboos in a contingency environment.
  • The process for reporting bribery, kickbacks and other illegal acts.

Materials

Provided:

Student guide with supplemental learning material, exercises, case studies, and handouts, and exclusive web-based materials.

Additional Information

DAU logoThe Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech (The Academy) is an approved equivalency training provider to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and provides continuing education training to Acquisition and Government Contracting professionals as well as to business professionals working for government contractors or pursuing opportunities in federal contracting.  This course is DAU-equivalent training satisfying both FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs.

Filed Under: Academy News Tagged With: acquisition planning, contingency contracting, contract planning, contracting officer's representatives, COR, COR 206, COR 206/222, COR 222, DAU, FAR

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