If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul discuss the concept of perfect competition - where the competition has commoditized the product or service so that price is all that is left to compare. 

Learn how this situation can stifle innovation and result in fewer opportunities for new entrants or alternative approaches - and how focusing on differentiators can lead you to a better solution.   
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If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
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Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts. 

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Sometimes it is difficult for the Government acquisition machine to operate as efficiently as the commercial world's.  (Understatement of the year...it is difficult almost all the time)

Kevin and Paul discuss an acquisition that started well, with the Air Force creating an acquisition strategy that would allow them to select the best combination of proposals that satisfied all their requirements - and ended with a GAO protest decision to deny the Air Force "leeway" to conduct tradeoffs on paired proposals.  

We applaud both the Air Force, for putting together a plan to get the best possible result for the mission, and the protester, for raising their hand in a timely manner when the RFP didn't clearly explain how an offeror could present a winning offer.  It's unfortunate that this had to end up with a GAO protest.  We hope this story will help both Government and industry become more sensitive to the need for open communication to resolve conflicts early without having to resort to the GAO.  
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If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
___________

Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.  

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

This week we welcome special guest Michael Derrios, currently the Senior Procurement Executive and Head of Contracting Activity for the United States Coast Guard.  Mr. Derrios shares his insight on the challenges that Contracting Officers face due to their unique power to obligate the Government, as well as the scrutiny that power brings from both internal and external entities.

Listen and learn as Paul and Michael discuss the differences between personal and positional power and share their perspectives on the skills and qualities that are required to succeed as a Contracting Officer.  

For more on this topic, check out his blog here: https://www.michaelderrios.com/post/the-power-of-the-pen.  
_________

If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
___________

Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts. 

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul discuss the SBIR program, a great way for small businesses to enter the government market or to grow their capabilities.  It's also an exciting way for the Government to streamline the acquisition process for innovative concepts.  The Air Force has used "Pitch Days" to award SBIR contracts on the spot with their credit cards.  

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If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
___________

Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.   

This episode is part of The Contracting Officer Hall of Fame Playlist.

To listen to all other episodes of The Contracting Officer access your Podcast 2.0 license here: https://skywayacq.com/access/   

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

What does a COTR do?  What can a COR direct a contractor to do? What is outside the scope of their authority?  In this special holiday encore episode you’ll learn the answers to these questions and more as Kevin and Paul discuss the role of Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (sometimes known as Contracting Officer Representatives).  Gain new knowledge or refresh your understanding of why the Government appoints COTRs and CORs and why it is important for both Government and Industry to understand their responsibilities, authority, and limitations. 
 
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If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
___________

Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

In this holiday encore presentation of a foundational episode,  Kevin and Paul explain  the  role of a Contracting Officer along with some detail on how they are appointed.  You'll also learn about the different types of contracting officers. (with some personal experience mixed in, of course) 

This episode was originally released as episode #9, way back when the Contracting Officer Podcast was brand new and we were brand new podcasters.  We hope you enjoy this holiday season and also enjoy hearing how far the podcast has come over the last 5 years thanks to your feedback.  We never get tired of hearing from you.  Send a note to [email protected] with your comments, questions, or concerns.  Thanks!
_________

If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
___________

Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

It's a common human tendency. When things are going well, we become complacent to the reality of why they are going well and what risks could materialize if things stop going well. 

Kevin and Paul discuss this tendency in the context of Government acquisition. What happens if the Government relies on the same acquisition strategy over and over "because it works"?  Why should contractors focus on more than relationships to continue winning at an agency?  Listen and learn the answers to these questions and more.

Ignorance is Bliss

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If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
___________

Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

What is the advantage of being in a HUBZone? (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) Kevin and Paul gave an overview of the HUBZone program in Episode 178.  Today they dive deeper into this special niche for small businesses.  

Listen and learn how FAR 19.1305 gives contracting officers the ability to set certain acquisitions aside exclusively for qualified HUBZone small businesses and in some circumstances even award on a sole source basis. You'll also gain insight into why just being a HUBZone small business concern isn't enough to gain the Government's interest.  

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If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.

Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, being a Skyway Community member will guide you to the next level.

With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect place for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.

Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check us out at skywaymember.com. 
___________

Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission:  Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. 

Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting.  It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession.  Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.