Defense contracting…not for the faint of heart for a number of reasons.  Two that always jump to my mind: Defense contractors are on the front line of our national security, which if you think about it, it is sobering. ALL – THE – REGULATIONS. Combining these two means that if a defense contractor fails to…

Thoughts of suspension and debarment bring to my mind Bobby Darin’s song, Call Me Irresponsible: Call me irresponsible Yes I’m unreliable Why?  Because acquisition regulations require federal government contractors to be “responsible” businesses and the Uniform Guidance regulations require the same of non-profits and other entities that are awarded federal government cooperative agreements and federal…

Stating the obvious – fixed price contracts, in their essence, are when you agree to perform services or provide goods for a fixed price.  Carrying this through – if cost of performance increases – the contractor cannot increase the price – it’s a fixed price contract.  Similarly, if cost of performance goes down, the government…

The U.S. Government is not known for being agile or innovative.  Its procurement processes and programs are complex with legal requirements that are difficult to identify, understand and follow.  And, generally speaking, the Government has the reputation for not necessarily being interested in innovative ideas.  So, many small, agile, innovative businesses don’t ever think about…

The Story Federal Acquisition Regulations and Uniform Guidance regulations prohibit federal government agencies from purchasing certain Chinese telecommunications and video surveillance equipment. Regulations even prohibit the federal government from working with contractors who use banned Chinese telecommunications or video surveillance equipment – even if the contractor doesn’t use the equipment to perform the federal government…

The Story Federal Acquisition Regulations and Uniform Guidance regulations prohibit federal government agencies from purchasing certain Chinese telecommunications and video surveillance equipment. Regulations even prohibit the federal government from working with contractors who use banned Chinese telecommunications or video surveillance equipment – even if the contractor doesn’t use the equipment to perform the federal government…

As U.S. defense contractors know it is not always easy, prudent or in some cases even legal to sell defense products, technologies and services to the defense ministeries of other countries.  But, that does not mean a defense contractor can NEVER sell to other countries – you just need to know how to do it. …

Federal government contractors are getting hit by inflation and may be wondering – does the government even care that my costs have increased oh so very much? Short Answer: Yes. And there is even evidence that the government cares! The evidence is a Department of Defense Memo to its acquisition teams providing guidance on working…