Contracting Conversations

By Warfighting Acquisition UniversityEducation

Contracting Conversations episodes

October 02, 2024 NASA "Spacesuits as a Service" Program-short version
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott are jumping into NASA's new spacesuit, an update on 40-year-old technology to keep our explorers safe from the moon to mars.  What does it take to get boots on the lunar ground? And what is the ticket to launching industry into competition over the astronauts’ new outfit? We will learn this, and more from Bradley Niese, the acting director of procurement from the Nasa Johnson Space Center in Houston. This is part of the Contracting Conversations series taped during the Nexus 2024 conference in Jacksonville, FL.
2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm
2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspx
DAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631
DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/
DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/
For Contracting Conversations channels:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
4 min
October 02, 2024 CCON 006 - Incentive Contracting Credential
Welcome to Contracting Conversations with Scott Williams and co-host Jim Valley. They discuss the incentive contracting credential (CCON 006) with Professor Dave Lewis from DAU. The credential includes five courses covering various incentive contracts and tools. Dave emphasizes the importance of these courses for those involved in incentive contracting and highlights the detailed content and assessments. They also discuss the target audience and the practical applications of the credential in the field. Tune in for insights and tips!

CCON 006 i-Catalog:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx?crs_id=67
Contract Administration and Pricing Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/ca
Contracting Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

14 min
October 01, 2024 CCON 013 - Contract Administration Special Topics Credential
Welcome to Contracting Conversations. Hosts Scott Williams and Jim Valley discuss the Contract Administration Credential with George Ilse. The credential helps the 1102 population with contract administration, covering actions from payment to oversight, financing, and termination. It includes six online, self-paced courses plus an introductory video and final assessment. The credential is valuable for both 1102s and the broader acquisition community.

Here are a few helpful links:

DAU's iCatalog on CCON 013:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx?crs_id=72

Contract Administration and Pricing Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/ca

Contracting Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
14 min
October 01, 2024 CCON 005 - Contract Financing Credential
In this podcast of “Contracting Conversations” Scott Williams and Jim Valley discussing contract financing with Dr. Renee Butler, DAU’s Learning Director for Price, Cost, and Finance. They introduce the new credential CCON 005, Contract Financing, which includes three courses: CON 7500 (Introduction to Contract Financing), CON 7510 (Progress Payments), and CON 7520 (Performance-Based Payments). The discussion covers the importance of contract financing in improving cash flow for contractors and the complexities of setting up and administering these payments. In addition, she discusses the purpose of the credential itself, and the target audience.

CCON 005:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx?crs_id=66

Cost and Pricing Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/pricing

Contracting Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
13 min
September 11, 2024 Contracting Officer Representative - COR Office Hours
Join Jim and Scott as they sit down with Cindy Baker, Professor of Contract Management for the Mid-Atlantic Region and co-host of COR Office Hours. Held every Tuesday from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM Eastern Time, COR Office Hours has been a vital resource for the COR community since its inception in October 2020. This weekly event, held 49 times a year, offers a platform for discussing a wide range of COR topics. Initially starting as open forums, the sessions have evolved to include specific topics suggested by attendees through event surveys and in-session chats. Whether you’re a COR or a contracting officer looking to deepen your understanding of the COR profession, join the 150-250 weekly attendees and enhance your knowledge.

Contracting Officer Representative Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/cor
COR Office Hours:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/cor/COROfficeHours

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
10 min
August 05, 2024 CON 1400V - Contract Post-Award - FY25 Update
In this episode of Contracting Conversations DAU's Learning Asset Manager, Ed Needens, discusses the new FY25 condensed version of CON 1400, Contract Post-Award. He will discuss how it is structured, how students are assessed, and much more. Please see our other podcasts on CON 1100, 1200 and 1300, for information on their new condensed versions.
For more information see this CONNECT Live Session on the changes:  https://media.dau.edu/media/1_c8osnsuv
A couple good links for more info on CON 1400V are:
DAU's Contracting BtB webpage:  https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
DAU's iCatalog on CON 1400V:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12527
CON Webinar Series on CON 1400 (extensive info with video and slides):  https://www.dau.edu/event/CON-Certification-Courses-and-Exam-Webinar-Series-Part-2
Contracting Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
12 min
July 29, 2024 Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) Scholars Take the Stage at NCMA/DAU NEXUS 2024
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we’ll learn about one of DoD’s newest recruitment programs and pick the brain of someone who could be a future leader in the workforce. How is the next generation preparing for public service? And what are they doing to learn problem solving strategies?
We sit down with educator and changemaker Karen Thornton to discuss the Defense Civilian Training Corps and, Belle Higginbotham, a Purdue student who was competitively selected for the program.
This is part of the Contracting Conversations series taped during the Nexus 2024 conference in Jacksonville, FL.
DCTC website:  https://dctc.mil/
DCTC LinkedIn Site:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-civilian-training-corps-dctc/
Defense Aquisition Magazine Article, May/June Issue:  https://www.dau.edu/library/damag/may-june2024/culture-of-care
Army ALT Magazine DCTC Article: https://asc.army.mil/web/news-civilian-workforce-of-the-future/
DoD article on DCTC: https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3520672/acquisition-program-is-talent-pipeline-to-prepare-students-for-dod-civilian-car/
Acquisition Game Article:  https://acqirc.org/news/gaming-the-system-dctc-scholars-master-defense-acquisition-through-play/
DCTC Program FAQs:  https://dctc.mil/docs/faqs/DCTC-Student-FAQs-42023-FINAL.pdf
2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm
2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspx
DAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631
DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/
DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/
For Contracting Conversations channels:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
16 min
July 29, 2024 CON 1200V - Contract Pre-Award-FY25 Update
In this episode of Contracting Conversations we talk with DAU's Hal McAlduff on the new FY25 condensed version of CON 1200, Contract Pre-Award. Hal explains the structure of the course, what assessments are included, and what you will learn. This, along with all the new condensed version are available soon in the i-Catalog or DAU Media, YouTube and Apple Podcasts
CONNECT Live Session on the changes:  https://media.dau.edu/media/1_c8osnsuv
A couple good links for more info on CON 1200V are:
i-Catalog location:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12501
DAU's Contracting BtB webpage:  https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
DAU's iCatalog on CON 1200V: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12501
CON Webinar Series on CON 1200V (extensive info with video and slides) https://www.dau.edu/event/DAU-CON-Certification-Courses-and-Certification-Exam-Webinars
Contracting Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting
If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
11 min
July 24, 2024 CON 1300V - Contract Award-FY25 Update
In this episode of Contracting Conversations Jim and Scott discuss CON 1300V, Contract Award, with Jason Ackiss, DAU's Learning Asset Manager for this course. He talks about the new condensed version of the course, starting in FY25, and how the course is structured. This is a must listen to podcast, along with the any of the other CON Certification Courses, as you are going through the certification courses, and ultimately the CON certification exam.
For more information on the condensed courses, see the CONNECT Live Session:  https://media.dau.edu/media/1_c8osnsuv

A couple good links for more info on CON 1300V are:
DAU's Contracting BtB webpage:  https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
DAU's iCatalog on CON 1300V:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12526
Contracting Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
12 min
July 23, 2024 Small Business Criticality in Acquisition - NCMA/DAU NEXUS 2024
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we’re
thinking BIG when it comes to rebuilding our industrial base with SMALL
Business.  But
what are the keys for a Small Business to win the government contract? To
get to the bottom line, we sit down with, Ken Carkhuff, one of DAU’s own
leading experts on this subject.
This is part of the Contracting Conversations series taped during the Nexus 2024 conference in Jacksonville, FL.
DAU All Things Small Business Podcast:  https://media.dau.edu/channel/Small%2BBusiness/62965391
SB Apple Podcasts location:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things-small-business/id1523710805
2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm
2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspx
DAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631
DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/
DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/
For Contracting Conversations channels:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
8 min