Today’s episode dives deep into the world of federal RFPs, specifically the pros and cons of technical challenges compared to traditional proposals. Join our guests from Hunter Strategy, including Kevin Belanga, Chief Strategy Officer, and Jeff Segal, Chief Technology Officer, along with Kevin Long, Vice President of National Security Solutions group, Highlight. Together, they untangle the different forms these challenges take, and the work of crafting tailored solutions to meet mission requirements 

But it's not all about the challenge itself. We also explore the delicate balance between evaluating technical capabilities and overall fit, the impact on small and medium businesses, and the need for a shift in skillsets when reviewing proposals. We'll uncover the effectiveness of different strategies in government contracting, especially when it comes to technology development and maintenance. Finally, we wrap up by tackling the age-old question: can you truly get the best quality at the best price in government contracting? 

Tune in for an insightful discussion that will leave you better equipped to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal procurement! 

Chapters

00:00 Technical Challenges in Federal RFPs 

01:26 Different Ways of Manifesting Technical Challenges 

03:25 Defining Challenges that Align with Mission Requirements 

04:57 Balancing Technical Competence and Evaluation 

06:33 The Role of External Support in Source Selection 

08:18 Ensuring Technical Competence in Vendor Selection 

09:22 The Challenge of Staffing and Execution 

11:19 Balancing Procurement Burden and Technical Competence 

12:30 The Burden on Small and Medium-sized Businesses 

13:06 The Need for Different Skill Sets in Proposal Evaluation 

14:18 Theatrics in In-person Code Challenges 

16:08 The Value and Challenges of Orals 

19:03 Alternative Approaches to Procurement 

21:20 The Value of Advisory Down Selects 

25:46 The Use of Videos and Performance Art in Procurement 

27:16 Effectiveness of Different Procurement Approaches 

37:16 Different Procurement Approaches 

39:55 RFPs and Alternative Procurement 

42:00 Orals for Better Results 

44:48 Commoditized Services and Help Desk 

45:16 Paying for Quality