Everything that is Federal Government Contracting. We inform listeners on the legal, regulatory and compliance challenges in government contracting as well as contract proposals, pricing and changes. With over 60 years of experience and training thousands of government contracting industry professionals, we are the leader in learning and professional development.
In this Episode, I talk with Dan Rusert of JAMIS during the FPS La Jolla week May 2-6th. JAMIS Is a long time sponsor of our programs and has a wealth of knowledge related to business systems. They are a leading provider of business systems software in the GovCon space!
In Episode #40, I discuss the current employment landscape in the federal contracting industry with consultant Eric Norvell. Eric has been helping federal contractors find qualified mid and upper level professionals for over two decades. The demand for candidates was hot before COVID and now there is even a greater need in our industry. As we saw with the 'great resignation' a lot of employees took advantage to shop around their skills and to demand more flexibility for their work/life balance. ...
In Episode #39, I speak with Jason Miller, Executive Editor for Federal News Network. He has been tracking the POLARIS Contract. POLARIS is a small business GWAC contract which is being released in 'pools' over the coming months. However, there already is some controversy and a bid protest with one of the 'pools' related to past performance requirements. Jason explains the issue and gives insight into what is happening.
In construction, cost escalation is not an uncommon thing as the price of raw building materials fluctuate often. More recently, prices have been increasingly volatile since the start of the pandemic due to swings in supply and demand as well as political posturing. In this episode, James Newland of Seyfarth Shaw's construction practice discusses cost escalation and the remedies during and after negotiations have commenced.
The Davis Bacon Act - (DBA) has been an act since the 1930s and covers prevailing wages for federal construction contracts. The DBA as gone through a number of updates over the years including a large overhaul in the 1980's. Now, the Biden Administration through a a few executive orders, and the Department of Labor has proposed new rules that, if enacted may impact not only federal construction but private construction wages. Seyfarth Shaw attorneys Scott Hecker and Ted North discuss the propose...
This is FPS Episode #36. It is an update to Episode #35 where we talked with colleagues of Barnes & Thornburg on Russian Sanctions. Things move fast and more sanctions were imposed on Russian imports from and exports to Russia. This episode covers the latest and recaps the early March 2022 sanctions and changes.
In FPS Podcast #35 - We are joined by Barnes & Thornburg's International Trade Group colleagues Nicholas Galbraith, Adetayo Osuntogun, and Luis Arandia to discuss the most recent Russian Sanctions on trade and financial transactions which went into effect on March 1, 2022. This is one of a few planned podcasts FPS will present regarding Sanctions in the coming months. In this Podcast, the team covers information on: The SDN List - Specially Designated Nationals Export Control Rule Changes - ...
This is FPS Podcast #34 with the McKelvey Group. Companies spend an incredible amount of time making their Technical, Past Performance, and Price Narrative volumes look professional before submission. But they rarely do the same with the Excel Pricing Model, and evaluators notice this. The McKelvey Group’s Marc Hamann and Vinny D’Amore explain why taking the extra effort in making your Excel Pricing Models matters, and suggestions on how to approach it. Pricers of all levels will find value in t...
FPS Podcast #33, Avoiding Fraud in Federal Contract Claims, I talk with Seyfarth Shaw's Teddie Arnold and Stephanie Magnell . As a contractor, you have the right to file for a claim for a number of reasons. However, you may want to make sure you are on solid ground to file the claim against the government or you could be looking at a number of actions the federal government could take against your organization as explained in this podcast.
I episode #32 - I talk with Deb Nixon of Crosshair Advisors and we examine cost accounting practices for government contractors.
In FPS Episode #31, I talk with Deb Nixon regarding the concept of full absorption accounting with some practical understanding of the practice compared to what we may consider as general accounting practices.
In FPS ' Episode #29, Deborah Nixon of Crosshair Advisors discusses the differences between a Price-Based Contract (PBA) and a Cost-Based Contract (CBA) within US Federal Contracting. Both offer advantages and disadvantages for prospective contractors. When you enter into a contract with the government, read the contract and determine your contractual requirements.
In this episode, we talk with Dan Ramish of the law firm Smith Pachter McWhorter on REAs and Claims. Dan gives us a description of both an REA and a Claim and defines the two with examples and challenges through out federal contracting history.
in Episode #27, we talk with The McKelvey Group's Marc Hamman about pricing of proposals. He gives us a number of things to think about when pricing a proposal and how primes and subs should prepare and present their pricing proposals.
In this episode we talk with HKA's Greg Bingham and John Chesbro about contract terminations. Over the past 12-18 months during the change in the administration and the pandemic a number of high profile events happened that caused a number of somewhat unexpected terminations. As a contractor, you have certain rights and obligations you must be acutely aware of including the stoppage of work and documenting your inventory. Greg and John will discuss what happens and how to recover from such a ter...
This is FPS Podcast #25 - Understanding Undefinitized contracts. In this episode Deb Nixon of Crosshair Advisor explains undefinitized contracts , what they are, how they are used and the responsibilities of both the government and the contractor when entering into this type of contract.
In this episode I talk with Marsha Lindquist of Granite Leadership Strategies on strategic pricing essentials . If you are bidding on a federal contract or any government contract for that matter, knowing how you got to your price and the ability to explain your bid will go a long way in winning the award. She will explain to the audience: How and what is strategic pricing as it relates to federal government contracting. Top three strategies most contractors do not often consider Responding to q...
This is FPS Podcast #23. In this episode we talk with The Honorable (Ret) Jeri Somers, partner at Jenner & Block. Ms. Somers is the former chief justice for the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and now advises clients on a variety of federal contracting matters at Jenner & Block. Ms. Somers explains the difference between the appeals boards - whether civilian or armed services - and the federal courts.
This is FPS Podcast #22. In this episode we talk with Daniel Kelly and Hugh Murray partners from the law firm McCarter & English. They help dissect the Executive Order Mandating Vaccination of Federal Contractors and Subcontractors. There are a number of tentacles to this mandate including monitoring and reporting, retroactive to contracts, and how some of the agencies have interpreted the order.
This is Podcast #21. In this episode we talk to Matt McKelvey, founder and president of The McKelvey Group about the advantages and challenges with teaming agreements. Matt discusses from both a prime contractor and subcontractor perspective and what to watch out for, how far in advance you should engage another party on an agreement as well how to best look at the responsibilities of each party.
In this podcast, host Todd Hatherly interviews Deborah Nixon of Crosshair Advisors. Deborah and I will talk Cost Accounting Standards. Conventional wisdom says CAS only comes into play for the big contractors. But as Deborah explains that thinking is not quite right. More often than not, some of those standard can be applicable to smaller organizations. Find out more by listening to how Deborah explains it.
In this podcast, host Todd Hatherly interviews Larry Allen of Allen Federal Business Partners on the changes in the new fiscal year. Was it a good ending or a not so good ending? For a good part of September 2021, the news of a budget was center stage. As October 1st approached, a CR was implemented and a deadline was set for debt ceiling. Larry Allen discusses these things as well as gives his insights into what three things federal contractors should do now in the early part of the FY22 season...
We are getting back to the classrooms! With that, host Todd Hatherly wants to give you his top 10 reasons you should join us at our Las Vegas week September 13-17, 2021 at The Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas. With 350+ hours of instructional training and 35+ classes for federal contracting know-how, the Las Vegas Government Contracts Week conference will be the largest government contracts training event this year! Find out why hundreds of organizations rely on Federal Publications Seminars training i...
In this podcast, host Todd Hatherly discusses with David Black and Eric Crusius of Holland & Knight, the Biden Administration's lengthy executive order related to cybersecurity. This EO had been circulating around the Whitehouse for a while, but with the Colonial Pipeline breach, they decided to release the Executive Order. David and Eric present their perspective on the impact on government contractors and suppliers.
In this FPS Podcast, host Todd Hatherly talks to Larry Allen of Allen Federal Business Partners about GSA Schedule Contracts for 2021 and beyond. Larry provides insights on both opportunities and challenges facing federal government contractors. The GSA Schedules contracting vehicles are a great way to sell both goods and services to all federal government agencies. However, you must be cognizant of the compliance and keep up with GSA's changes.
This special podcast discusses the 2021 GAUGE report compiled by Cohn Reznick in conjunction with Unanet. This podcast reviews findings from 2020 and expectations for the 2021 report. It is moderated by Dr Jerry McGinn from George Mason University.
This program, episode #14, brought to you by Federal Publications Seminars, a leader in federal government contract training to the industry for the past 60 years, hosts BDO Managing Director, Dave Scott to discuss EVM and the EVM Forum held every year in October. In this episode we will talk about the upcoming 2 day virtual program and why finance analysts and others need to attend to get the latest information on changes to EVM in Federal Government Contracting. Federal Publications Seminars h...
This program, episode #13, brought to you by Federal Publications Seminars, a leader in federal government contract training to the industry for the past 60 years, hosts David Robbins, Co-Chair of Jenner & Block's Government Contracts Practice. In episode #13, David along with legal partner Cindy Robertson discuss the new DOD guidance on 3610 for contractors. Federal Publications Seminars has hundreds of online programs, classroom courses and other resources available to the industry. Go to ...
This program, episode #12, brought to you by Federal Publications Seminars, a leader in federal government contract training to the industry for the past 60 years, hosts Craig Stetson, a partner with Capital Edge Consulting. In episode #12, we discuss the risks associated with the CARES ACT funding for government contractors. Federal Publications Seminars has hundreds of online programs, classroom courses and other resources available to the industry. Go to https://www.fedpubseminars.com for mor...
This program, episode #11, brought to you by Federal Publications Seminars, a leader in federal government contract training to the industry for the past 60 years, hosts Paul Bailey, a partner with Capital Edge Consulting. In episode #11, we discuss the avenues of recovering costs related to COVID19 through use of the CARES Act. Federal Publications Seminars has hundreds of online programs, classroom courses and other resources available to the industry. Go to https://www.fedpubseminars.com for ...
