This week on Off the Shelf, Jessica Tillipman, associate Dean for Government Procurement Law at The George Washington University Law School, grades the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) and outlines the risks and opportunities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government procurement operations. 

Tillipman gives her assessment of the RFO, highlighting key changes and the overall impact. Listen in to hear her grades and analysis of the RFO! 

She also provides a tutorial understanding AI architecture through a “Wedding Cake” model.

Finally, Tillipman discusses the key procurement policy considerations surrounding the use of AI, including addressing potential conflicts of interest, ensuring protection of data, and fostering competition. 

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Zach Terwilliger and Alex Canizares, partners with Vinson & Elkins, join Off the Shelf, for a wide-ranging discussion of the current compliance environment for government contractors.

Terwilliger discusses current Department of Justice priorities relating to criminal and civil enforcement and what government contractors should be focusing on. 

He and Canizares also provide their insights regarding the Trump administration’s approach to the False Claims Act highlighting the interplay with procurement polices like CMMC. 

The duo also shares their thoughts regarding the administration’s Civil Rights Fraud initiative and its implications for contractors.

Terwilliger and Canizares also share key FCA trends and provide their best practices for compliance. 

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This week on Off the Shelf, Rob Burton, partner at Crowell & Moring LLP, provides his insights and analysis of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), the ongoing restructuring of procurement operations across government, and the implications and opportunities for government contractors.

Burton shares his thoughts on key RFO changes, including the new MAS ordering procedures, FAR Part 19, and the FAR Part 12 changes. 

He also offers a clear, concise, and compelling outline of the goals for the RFO and the move to consolidate procurement operations across government.   

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Emily Murphy, CEO and founder of Government Procurement Strategies (GPS), joins Off the Shelf for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the federal procurement market.  

As a former GSA Administrator, Murphy shares her keen insights regarding the Trump administration’s re-engineering and re-structuring of federal procurement. 

She highlights the administration’s overarching policy and operational goals including, but not limited to, increasing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and increasing access to the commercial market and commercial solutions.

Topics include the consolidation of procurement operations at GSA, how GSA is responding to its expanded role and the progress and potential impact of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). For example, Murphy addresses the significant changes to FAR Part 8 of the FAR. 

Finally, Murphy shares her thoughts on key management principles for government leaders.   

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Ken Dodds, executive vice president, and general counsel at the Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement, joins Off the Shelf for a wide-ranging discussion of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). 

Dodds shares his analysis and insights on how the RFO will shape the federal procurement market, and gives his thoughts on the rewrites of key FAR Parts, including Parts 8, 12, and 19. 

He also looks to the formal rule-making process that will kick off in FY26, highlighting the importance of strong public engagement.

Finally, Dodds discusses small business opportunities in the federal procurement market.  

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Jason Workmaster, member at Miller Chevalier, joins Off the Shelf for a “shut down” 101. 

Workmaster shares best practices for contract management for contractors impacted by a shutdown, and explains how preparation, documentation, and communication are critical to managing potential changes in contract performance, including stop work orders. 

In the context of a shutdown, it is vital for contractors to understand the key contract terms and conditions governing performance and payment and status of government funding for contract performance.

Is your contract fully funded or incrementally funded?  What type or color of money supports your contract?  

Proactive outreach to contracting officers, employees, and subcontractors is critical to successful management during a shutdown. 

And of course, be sure to document key communications, management measures taken, and costs incurred in response to a shutdown induced stop work order.   

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Alan Thomas, founder of Alpha Tango Strategies, and Bill Gormley of the Gormley Group, join Off the Shelf for a wide-ranging update on the latest procurement news. 

Thomas and Gormley provide their insights and viewpoints on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, the creation of the Office of Centralized Acquisition Services (OCAS) at GSA, and GSA’s OneGov initiative. 

They highlight the changes to FAR part 8 and significance of the move of the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) ordering procedures to the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR). 

Thomas and Gormley also discuss the new role of mandatory use or required contracts and the impact on the Best-in-Class contracts. Do we need the BIC methodology? 

The discussion then turns to OCAS and its scope of operations and the challenges in standing up the new organization.

Finally, Thomas and Gormley give their thoughts on OnGov, harkening back to the Smart Buy program and the use of FSS BPAs.  

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Brian Friel, co-founder of BD Squared, joins Off the Shelf, for a wide-ranging discussion of the state of interagency contracting in the new federal market. 

Friel provides an update on the GWAC landscape, including updates on NASA SEWP, CIO-SP4, Alliant 3, and Polaris and he talks about the consolidation of procurement operations at the General Services Administration (GSA) including the update FAR Part 8 rewrite establishing a hierarchy of contract vehicles.

Friel also addresses GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, giving his thoughts on the new ordering procedures, the role of Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and the prospects for accelerated growth in use of the program. 

Finally, Brian explains how companies can position themselves to compete in a rapidly changing federal market.   

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Larry Allen, GSA’s associate administrator for the Office of Government-wide Policy, joins Off the Shelf for an engaging procurement policy discussion. 

Allen addresses the ongoing changes in policy that are shaping procurement operations government-wide. Much of the discussion focuses on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), highlighting the policy goals and operational imperatives driving the RFO. 

Allen also highlights the progress to date and shares key takeaways regarding recent deviations addressing FAR parts 8 and 12.   

He also gives an update on procurement consolidation, and the impact of the Schedules program moving to Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) and the resulting demise of the Price Reduction Clause (PRC). 

Finally, Allen explains the wide-ranging policy management role his office plays in supporting department and agencies across government. 

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This week’s guest on Off the Shelf is Ben Hall, chief executive officer of Golden State Medical Supply (GSMS). 

Hall shares the GSMS story, from its founding by an Air Force veteran in the 1980s to its role today delivering cost-effective, high-quality generic pharmaceuticals to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. 

He discusses the role data management and analytics plays in delivering value to the customer across government and how GSMS is now supporting the brand name federal market. 

Finally Hall talks about the opportunities and challenges in driving domestic and near-shore manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.  

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