Contract Management articles from January 2002

Contract Management archives from January 2002

Reader response corner.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Fighting Fraud I am caught-up in a similar situation at work as described in the article, "Blowing the Whistle on Fraud," CM October 2001. I have reported varied acts of fraud to government investigators over the past six months. Some of...

CMI--Reaching its potential. (President's Forum).(Contract Management Institute )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Jim McGovern In an ongoing effort to position NCMA for the future and to continuously improve the products, programs, and services offered by the association, NCMA's nationally elected officers participate in strategic planning sessions on...

A guide to project planning: A better understanding of how an organization plans its projects can help contract administrators better understand their contributions to the company's success. (Professional Development).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... As a contract administrator, paperwork flows your way and you do a good job of processing, documenting, and negotiating changes to the contract. You also issue contract direction to the operating departments to begin work once the negotiations...

Collaborative decision-making: A collaborative decision engineering methodology can help decision-makers better understand group dynamics and how to implement decisions that work and last.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Napoleon Bonaparte wrote in 1804, "Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide." (1) Program and procurement teams in every organization must make decisions constantly. In fact, the ability to make...

The HUBZone program: Propelled by the Winds of procurement change.
January 1, 2002... Launching a new federal small business contract program in the face of a changing procurement landscape can be challenging. But, the SBA's new initiative is gaining prominence and momentum in this day of procurement reform. I have often...

The making of a leader: Real leaders know how to talk the talk, walk the talk, build leaders at every level, and make a difference.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... How many times have you heard an individual in a leadership position say the right words--"talk the talk"--hut fail to deliver on his promises? Unfortunately, too many public and private sector organizations and companies suffer from the...

A review of the Defense priorities and Allocation system.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... This is a good time to review the DPAS and the responsibilities and obligations of contractors subject to its regulations--because if you have a defense contract or subcontract, you probably are subject to the provisions of the DPAS. Back...

Values-based leadership: Considerable personal power is available when individuals discover their values, adjust them to ensure they are balanced and healthy, and create ways to honor them through action.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Values are the essence of who we are as human beings. Our values get us out of bed every morning, help us select the work we do, the company we keep, the relationships we build, and ultimately, the groups and organizations we lead. They...

Advanced issues in source selection.
January 1, 2002... Spend 1 1/2 days receiving cutting edge, absolutely dynamic, unavailable elsewhere insights from the nation's leading authority and pioneer in best value procurement -- Ralph Nash -- whose leadership and guidance have led the way in government...

How managers can conquer conflict creatively: No workplace is immune from conflict. However, tactful conflict resolution strategies can help you be a true professional manager.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The scenes are familiar. In fact, they play themselves out daily in thousands of office buildings. The "actors" have different names and faces, but the scripts are strikingly similar. Coworkers upset with one another because of careless...

Option pricing and fraud. (Case Commentary).
January 1, 2002... The contract between the U.S. Army and Loral Fairchild Corporation (Loral) included a contract line item number (CLIN) 0006AC for 1,653 target detection devices (TDD). It resulted in a claim of $4.4 million. A decision by the Armed Services...

Simple software--A file "Cabinet" master. (Information Technology).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Contract management is often overlooked by organizations when it comes to technology applications. Yet, contracts are one of an organization's biggest assets, and the proper management of these contracts directly impacts the bottom line. How...

Flying high with standards. (E-Business).(Aeroindustryjobs.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Aeroindustryjobs.com (Aeroindustryjobs), a leading network for aerospace careers, connects highly progressive companies with career-focused individuals. This online business, which links companies in the aerospace and defense and advanced...

Tips on preliminary hearings--Part I. (Alternative Disputes Resolution).
January 1, 2002... This is the first article in a three-part series on preliminary hearings, usually associated with the early stages of a "unique" ADR method of commercial arbitration, which will appear in CM magazine from January to March 2002. Recently, I...

Buying or selling your small business? (Small Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... If you are interested in buying or selling a small business, you might want to start by reading guidance provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The guidance provides information on these important topics: * Making the...

SB legislation proposed by Senator Bond. (Small Business Briefs).(small business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Senator Bond has introduced S. 1493, Small Business Leads to Economic Recovery Act of 2001, to provide additional federal contracts to small businesses. In part, the legislation would expand the small business set aside as follows: (1) Federal...

Subcontracting opportunities. (Small Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The SBA's Office of Government Contracting maintains a database of companies that are seeking small businesses to participate as subcontractors in their business base. The database includes the name, address, and telephone number of the...

Women in business--2001. (Small Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The SBA has released a report that provides details and statistics on U.S. businesses owned by women. According to the report, business ownership is one of the most effective ways to improve women's financial well-being. "While the number of...

Past performance information. (Small Business Briefs).(defense contractors rated)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Defense Logistics Agency's defense supply center in Philadelphia is implementing the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to provide source selection teams with detailed information on contractors' past performance....

Intellectual property. (Small Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... In October 2001, USD/AT&L published Intellectual Property: Navigating through Commercial Waters to address issues and provide solutions in the negotiation of intellectual property rights between the government and commercial companies. Designed...

Facing the Human capital crisis: While some creative solutions may delay the U.S. Department of Defense's impending workforce shortage, more needs to be done--now. (Speaking Out).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Five years ago, this article would have been more appropriately tided, "Preparing for the Human Capital Crisis in the Acquisition Workforce." However, that crisis now looms large on the horizon and is about to descend on the U.S. Department of...

Indefinite-delivery contracts--Be careful. (Government Contracting).
January 1, 2002... Indefinite-delivery contracts, discussed in the FAR 16.5, are composed of three types of contracts: definite-quantity, requirements, and indefinite-quantity contracts. The last two of these are the most frequently used types of...

Bill regarding aid to small businesses affected by September 11, 2001, tragedies introduced in house. (Legislation).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Representative Don Manzullo has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives tided the "American Small Business Emergency Relief and Recovery Act of 2001," to provide assistance to small business concerns that have been adversely impacted...

DOD, GSA, and NASA issue proposed rule regarding progress payment requests under indefinite-delivery contracts. (Regulations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have issued a proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in relation to progress payment...

DOD issues final rule regarding the acquisition of commercial items. (Regulations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The DOD has issued a final rule conforming the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DEARS) to reflect changes made to the FAR. In 1995, the DOD issued an interim rule to conform the DEARS to the changes made to the FAR by the...

DOD issues final rule regarding comptroller general access to records in Other transactions. (Regulations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The DOD has issued a final rule requiring contracting officers to include, in certain transactions, a clause providing the Comptroller General with access to records in prototype contracts. As previously reported, the DOD issued an interim rule...

DOD issues final rule regarding overseas use of governmentwide commercial purchase card. (Regulations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The DOD has issued a final rule amending the DEARS regarding overseas use of the governmentwide commercial purchase card. As previously reported, the DOD issued a proposed rule amending the DFARS to permit contracting officers supporting a...

DOD issues proposed rule regarding transactions other than Contracts, Grants, or Cooperative agreements for prototype projects. (Regulations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The DOD has issued a proposed rule to amend 32 C.F.R. Part 3 (Transactions Other Than Contracts, Grants, or Cooperative Agreements for Prototype Projects) to incorporate requirements specified in section 803 of the National Defense...

DOD Issues proposed rule regarding exclusive teaming arrangements. (Regulations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The DOD has issued a proposed rule amending the DFARS with regard to exclusive teaming arrangements. As previously reported, the DOD issued a proposed rule to amend the DFARS to state that exclusive teaming arrangements may evidence violations...

NASA Issues proposed rule regarding data produced under research and development Contracts. (Regulations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The NASA has issued a proposed rule to amend the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to clarify the requirements for reviewing data produced under Research and Development (R & D) contracts. This proposed rule amends the NFS by adding--among other...

Belonging and serving: The latest Cravens and Muller Award winners. (NCMA Association News).(National Contract Management Association awards)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Cravens Award The James E. Cravens Membership Award recognizes NCMA chapters and individual members for outstanding membership accomplishments during the NCMA program year. It highlights members whose achievements in membership recruitment...

Dana Award winners past and present--still serving after all these years. (NCMA Association News).(National Contract Management Association award)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... NCMA's Charles A. Dana Distinguished Service Award winners offer a timeless contribution to our organization with their spirit of voluntarism in service. They set the precedent and standard for the 21,000 other members--the 2000 award winner,...

Central connecticut chapter. (Chapter Bulletin Board).(Paul Robert wins cruise from National Contract Management Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Paul Robert (far right) proudly receives his seven-day Caribbean Carnival cruise from NCMA through Fox Valley Travel. Robert is a member of the Central Connecticut Chapter and wins this 2001-2002 Membership Promotion Campaign honor for his...

Membership campaign--overlaps. (NCMA Association News).(National Contract Management Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Currently, the association is in the midst of a direct mail membership recruitment campaign. As NCMA increases its membership, it will increasingly be able to hold down the cost of providing programs and services to members. We want you to know...

Farewell to a friend. (NCMA Association News).(Stephanie Riley loses battle to cancer)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
January 1, 2002... A great friend to many and a long-time NCMA supporter, it is with our deepest sadness that we report the passing of Stephanie Riley. At age 50, Stephanie passed on October 14, 2001, after a long battle with cancer. Stephanie worked at...