project management | The Contracting Education Academy

January 29, 2016 By AMK

4 collaboration tips for government teams

A recent survey of 200 North American business professionals who manage or participate in projects found that people waste nine weeks per year to poor project collaboration.

The irony is that the sheer number of online tools to help with collaboration, such as applications, social media and intranets, often hinders teams instead of helping them.

In fact, the study revealed that the average team member uses about five different tools to manage projects. One-third of respondents also said no one in their organization uses the same tools.

It’s no wonder teams are finding it difficult to get on the same page.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.nextgov.com/technology-news/tech-insider/2016/01/beyond-email-4-collaboration-tips-government-teams/125099

January 27, 2016 By AMK

Construction contracting course kicks-off on Feb. 22

On Feb. 22, 2016, The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech proudly unveils its latest course offering, CON 244: Construction Contracting.

The course 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.

To register, please visit: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-244-construction-contracting.

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.

September 3, 2015 By AMK

How to manage for results

The federal government has been moving a long time toward a more results-oriented, performance-based mission approach—developing a strategic plan, setting clear objectives, defining necessary resources, precisely assessing progress, and accurate results measurement.

The goal has been establishing a clear connection between agency priorities, strategic goals, and operational plans. The Office of Management and Budget, over several administrations, has led various management initiatives while developing all manner of guidance, tools, and resources for governmental use in reaching these goals. The President’s Management Agenda is built on four pillars:

Effective delivery of world-class service;
Efficiency-enhancing productivity and cost savings;
Economic growth–opening data and research that spurs innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth; and
Unlocking the full potential of the federal workforce.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.federaltimes.com/story/government/acquisition/blog/2015/08/17/how-manage-results/31863413/

February 3, 2015 By AMK

VA still needs to improve oversight of project management system for IT projects, audit says

The Veterans Affairs Department has taken steps to improve a project management process designed to make sure its IT projects are completed and delivered on time, but an internal audit found that accountability and oversight still need to be strengthened.

The department’s inspector general issued a follow-up audit Jan. 22, 2015 to the development of the Project Management Accountability System, or PMAS, that was begun back in 2009.

“PMAS represented a major shift from the way VA historically planned and managed IT projects because it focuses on delivering functionality in increments instead of delivering a complete product at the end of the project,” the IG’s report said.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.fiercegovernmentit.com/story/va-still-needs-improve-oversight-project-management-system-it-projects-audi/2015-01-26

December 16, 2013 By AMK

HHS chief seeks investigation into Affordable Health Care website contracts

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Tuesday asked the department’s inspector general to investigate the contracting process behind the government’s botched rollout of the online health insurance exchange in October.

In a letter to Inspector General Daniel Levinson, Sebelius said it’s critical to understand the factors that contributed to the failed launch of HealthCare.gov. “I am requesting that your office undertake a review of the work of our contractors, and the management of and payments to those contractors, in the development of HealthCare.gov,” she wrote.

Specifically, she requested an investigation of the acquisition process; contractor selection and project management; contractor performance and monitoring; and payments to contractors throughout the process.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.nextgov.com/health/2013/12/hhs-chief-seeks-investigation-obamacare-website-contracts/75326