Contracting Conversations

By Warfighting Acquisition UniversityEducation

Contracting Conversations episodes

June 14, 2024 Team Based Conflict Resolution Simulation - NCMA/DAU NEXUS 2024
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott delves into conflict resolution with Renee Richardson, an Independent Consultant, and Jason Pickart, Director of Integration Planning in the office of the DoD Chief Information Officer. They explore the significance of self-awareness in achieving conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of understanding multiple perspectives, especially their own. Discover why self-awareness is pivotal for conquering conflict resolution and how these skills can even be applied to your personal life. This episode is part of the Contracting Conversations series recorded 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
12 min
June 14, 2024 B-21 Twinning Team - NCMA/DAU NEXUS 2024
In this episode of Contracting Conversations from the NCMA/DAU Nexus 2024 Conference in Jacksonville, FL, Jim and Scott talk with Neal Duiker and Shaun Branam about the contracting and program management behind digital twinning for the
B-21. What's a digital twin? It's a virtual model of a
real-world object or system. These simulations help the government, contractors, engineers, and everyone involved, understand the state of the physical asset, respond to changes, improve operations, and add value to their systems. Jim and Scott ask about
the innovations in contracting and program management that Neal and Shaun implemented, bringing value to the B-21 program. They discuss what others
can learn from their exciting new approach, including their key to
getting to SUCCESS when they're staring at FAILURE!
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
27 min
June 14, 2024 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance Team-NCMA/DAU NEXUS 2024
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott talk to Leeann Ori and Anne Renn to get a bird’s eye view of what it
takes to support Air Combat Command. They discuss challenges they’ve faced in the remotely piloted aircraft maintenance
program. Learn why Leeann and Anne embrace conflict with multifunctional teams and worm their way through a selection of motivating books that helped get their
teamwork, to dreamwork. 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
13 min
June 14, 2024 Source Selection and Debriefing Simulation - NCMA/DAU NEXUS 2024
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott explore bringing Government and Industry together with Amanda Thompson from JJR Solutions and Kameke Mitchell from Space Systems Command. They discuss why every perspective is important and how they bridge the gap to solve many different types of problems. The simulation was to select a bridge contractor, conduct a debrief, and then actually build a bridge. 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
11 min
June 04, 2024 Collaboration Skills Simulation - NCMA/DAU NEXUS 2024
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim explores collaboration alongside Sarah Todd, Executive Director of Acquisition, Policy, and Legislation at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Sarah highlights the value of simulations in developing essential collaboration skills and shares key insights from the exercise. Discover why industry involvement is crucial for successful collaboration. Tune in to this episode, part of the Contracting Conversations series recorded 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
7 min
May 10, 2024 Tenets of a Superstar Instructor/Teacher
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, want to be a superstar instructor in your office? Yes? Well, we have a great episode for you - Jim and Scott chat with John Larson, a DAU instructor who trains the new professors at DAU. John takes a brand new, off the street acquisition professional, gets them excited about teaching, provides them the tools of the trade and how to use them, and then sets them off for a successful experience at DAU. John's training methods are great for DAU personnel, but can be used in any office throughout DoD, Federal Agencies, and for anyone who teaches adult learners. Sit down and take notes, as you learn about the CASA model.

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

26 min
May 10, 2024 CON 7810V - Commercial Acquisition Capstone Course
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott speak with Kurt Chelf, the Learning Asset Manager for CON 7810V, the virtual Commercial Acquisition Capstone Course. You will learn about the course, to include the structure, the vision, who should take it, how you are assessed, and more.
In this Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) course, participants will obtain a deep understanding of commercial acquisition definitions, processes, and resources. Students will then complete comprehensive cases studies to reinforce best commercial practices. After course completion, students will be able to apply commercial acquisition procedures to meet current acquisition goals.

CON 7810V - https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13112
Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentials
Back to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
Contract Cost, Price and Finance 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

8 min
April 10, 2024 ACQ 265 - Mission Focused Services Acquisition Course
In this latest episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim talk with Chuck Brackenhoff, the Learning Asset Manager for ACQ 265, the Mission Focused Services Acquisition Course. He discusses the layout of the course, through the Seven Step Services Acquisition Process, which includes a simulation that weaves through all seven parts. This is a great course for all functionals to take and over the course of this year, we will help you to learn of all the multi-functional courses DAU provides.
ACQ 265: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=148
Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
Program Management Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/pm
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
9 min
April 08, 2024 2nd Anniversary Episode - NCMA-DAU NEXUS 2024 Edition
This is Contracting Conversation's 2nd Anniversary Podcast - NEXUS Edition! All the way from Jacksonville, FL!
This is Jim and Scott's Anniversary podcast from the NCMA NEXUS Conference in the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville, FL. A big shoutout to NCMA for the great support Michelle Currier and the team provided the Contracting Conversations crew. Contracting Conversations can't wait to support next year's event in Feb 2025 in Long Beach, CA! In this episode Scott and Jim talk about the future of the channel, and the revised contracting certification courses (look for new recordings in the future) coming out in FY25 (yes, Jim said Oct 2025, but meant 2024 (FY25 - oops)). They ended the podcast thanking those who have supported the podcast from the beginning and at NEXUS - this support allowed this podcast to be born in the first place, and is why DAU is a great place to work!

On revised CON certification courses: https://www.dau.edu/blogs/exciting-changes-con-certification-courses-fy25
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 - for multifunctional video assets: https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631
DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/
DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/
For Contracting Conversations channels:
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
9 min
April 01, 2024 CON 7180 - Price Negotiation Memorandum Course
In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim have the pleasure of talking with Christina Jalbert, Learning Asset Manager for CON 7180, Price Negotiation Memorandum, On-Line-Training (OLT) Course. Christina goes into a review on how the course is structured, who the course is targeted for, and how students are evaluated. Be sure to check out our other Podcasts describing our many DAU's Cost and Pricing courses.

CON 7180 -  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13107
Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentials
Back to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
Contract Cost, Price and Finance 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
9 min