Contract Management articles from March 2004

Contract Management archives from March 2004

Strategic thinking.(President's Forum)
March 1, 2004... The theme of this month's CM magazine is "e-business." It focuses our thoughts on new and better ways of doing things. NCMA has adopted a new and better way of delivering certification testing to contracting professionals. [ILLUSTRATION...

10 tips for communicating with power.(Professional Development)
March 1, 2004... Regardless of your profession, communication is an essential part of your day. From calming down irate customers to negotiating with vendors or giving instructions to employees, your communication skills determine your success. Communicate...

Beyond procurement: using technology to manage the complete services life cycle; Keep the flow of information in constant motion to energize the organization's processes and improve performance at every phase.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... Every few years, a computer manufacturer comes out with "the latest, greatest, and fastest processing ultramachine," programmed to play chess. The company will then challenge a Grand Master to a series of man-versus-machine games, with the...

Competing for contracts through on-line reverse auctions: in the end, the buyer sets the rules, but it is up to the supplier to bid efficiently when and how he deems fit.
March 1, 2004... Why would a supplier ever agree to compete in an on-line reverse auction? This was the question running through my mind while attending a recent presentation on "how to increase awareness of government procurement opportunities." My answer...

The road ahead: enabling strategic acquisition in DOD; Aligning acquisition systems and processes with a new architecture and supporting the needs of all constituents through consolidation may help eliminate redundant, outdated processes and systems.(Department of Defense)
March 1, 2004... In the April 2003 issue of Contract Management magazine, I introduced several key concepts related to why the Department of Defense (DOD) was pursuing several electronic contracting initiatives. To recap, I explored the importance of shared...

Reduce risk, increase performance: with these tips, risk and performance management are two elements you no longer need to consider as threats.
March 1, 2004... Risks exist in virtually every contract. There are few organizations, however, that are able to manage these through a systematic, auditable, and regulated manner. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sophisticated contract management (CM)...

Web-based bidding and construction services negotiations: the Web-based tools have tremendous flexibility. It is up to the buyers and contractors to work together to design a process that facilitates the negotiations process for all parties.
March 1, 2004... The introduction of Web-based bidding tools, or auctions, into the procurement process for construction services has recently been a heated topic of debate, with the camps sharply divided. Those in favor of using the tools (primarily corporate...

FAR Workshop.(Federal Acquisition Regulation)
March 1, 2004... Two concentrated days on how to understand and use the Federal Acquisition Regulation in your daily contracting activities including in-depth analysis of the FAR system, the key contract clauses and contract forms. Provides comprehensive...

Empowering the project office with the intranet: with the push in today's business world to "go paperless," the ability to create, edit, transmit, and archive large files and data in a central spot is no longer just a feature--it's a necessity.
March 1, 2004... Information technology (IT) has penetrated every facet of our personal and business lives. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While the Internet may be how we communicate with the world, a company's intranet is how we interact and do daily...

Terminated test equipment.(Case Commentary)(Army Tank Automotive Command )
March 1, 2004... On November 20, 1987, Army Tank Automotive Command (ATAC) partially definitized a letter contract with General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. (GDLS), for the development and production of a carbon dioxide laser rangefinder (CO2 LRF) to be installed...

170 Systems package: all in one.(E-Business)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2004... Several years ago, while working as the chief technology officer of a privately held, multi-media software company, I needed help to manage production and customer data, marketing information, inventory, and financial applications. These all...

CM magazine 2004 editorial calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... July -- Articles Due: April 1, 2004 Intellectual Property Software rights and licensing, technology transfer, international protection, copyrights, patents, trademarks, data rights, trade secrets, limited use versus restricted rights,...

"In the beginning:" with Memba Genesis.(Information Technology)(Memba)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2004... Memba is a European-based software firm providing a suite of enterprise solutions for contract life cycle management, including authoring, administration, and supplier evaluation. The firm has a strong grasp on European contracting nuances,...

FSS on-line acquisition tools for federal customer agencies.(GSA Case Study)(Federal Supply Service)
March 1, 2004... When it comes to making life easier for the busy federal contract management professional, GSA offers convenient educational seminars at GSA Expo and a GSA Advantage! Help Desk. GSA is also involved in the federal government's Integrated...

The future of contract management.(Speaking Out)
March 1, 2004... If we had the vision of Jules Verne when he wrote 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, or the foresight of the creator of the cartoon character George Jetson, or possibly even the cognizance of life in the future as portrayed in the movie 2001 A Space...

A unique approach to logistical challenges.(Case Study)(Naval Inventory Control Point)
March 1, 2004... The phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) team at the Naval Inventory Control Point (NICP-M), Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was awarded its first full performance-based logistics (PBL) contract with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM),...

A database tool for the contracts professional and beyond.(Back to Basics)
March 1, 2004... E-business, enterprise resource planning software, supply chain integration--these hot buzz words conjure up seamless streams of data and virtual handshakes by the click of the mouse. But before jumping into the river of digital nirvana, take a...

Final edition: March 2004.
March 1, 2004... Legislation Bill Limiting DOD Contracting with Firms under Investigation by DOD Inspector General Introduced in Senate Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced a bill in the Senate to limit Department of Defense (DOD) contracting with...

NCMA national education seminar (NES) series.(National Contract Management Association)
March 1, 2004... NEW NES! Service Contracting: An Integrated Approach It is widely known that the federal government spends more on services than it does on products. This one-day course will directly address the uniqueness of service contracting and...

Update from Council of Fellows December 2003 meeting.(NCMA Fellows Network Newsletter)
March 1, 2004... The Council of Fellows met Sunday, December 7, 2003, before the East Coast National Education Conference at the Sheraton Premiere in Tysons Corner, Virginia. NCMA President-Elect Chuck Woodside welcomed the group and briefed the council on the...

New fellows.(NCMA Fellows Network Newsletter)
March 1, 2004... Stanley D. Fry Finger Lakes Chapter Stanley Fry is the director of contracts and legal affairs for commercial and government systems with Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York. He has been a member of NCMA since 1987. He...

Talking points.(NCMA Association News)
March 1, 2004... Understanding Competition--Trends W. Gregory Macfarlan * Supply chain management * Changes in performance-based contracting * Price * GWACS IDIQ * Acquisition workforce * FAR Part 12 * Binary competitive field...

An interview with success: an opportunity, a challenge, a lifetime in contracting.(NCMA Association News)(Interview)
March 1, 2004... CM magazine recently interviewed Thomas S. Wells, SES, who was promoted as director of contracting, HQ AFMC/PK, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How did you first enter the contracting field--what drew...

Latest Outstanding Fellow Award presented.(NCMA Association News)
March 1, 2004... The Council of Fellows recently approved the newest member of the Outstanding Fellow Award winners. NCMA and CM magazine congratulates Wayne Gaede for this honor, and for the many ways he has set the standard as a leader and model in his local...

Air Force selects NCMA members for Career Development Award programs.(NCMA Association News)(National Contract Management Association )
March 1, 2004... Each year, the U.S. Air Force asks a selection board to recommend several people for higher leadership training, to launch them into higher career roles. This year, the Air Force Civilian Competitive Development Program (CCDP) selection...

New CFCMs! The last legacy program.(NCMA Association News)(certified federal contracts managers)
March 1, 2004... NCMA is proud to present the newest certified federal contracts managers (CFCMs). These individuals passed the final administration of the legacy examinations on November 21, 2003. The close-out of the legacy program was administered at eight...

Fort Monmouth Chapter.(Chapter Bulletin Board)
March 1, 2004... Members gather together for a talk, "Native American Corporations at Work: From Regulation to Reality." Front row (L to R): Paul Rosengrant (VP Programs), Robert M. Bowe, and Frank Musorrafiti (BOA and Fellow). Back row: Brittany Benecasa...

La/South Bay Chapter.(Chapter Bulletin Board)
March 1, 2004... Various chapter members gathered with their employers, who were honored at the chapter's annual "Boss Appreciation Night." Shelley Johnston (front center) is chapter president-elect. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Northern West Virginia Chapter.(Chapter Bulletin Board)
March 1, 2004... Membership chair, Shayne Naugle (far right), welcomes six new members at a celebratory chapter meeting. Left to right: Patrick Esposito II, Jeannette Witten, Dr. Patrick Esposito, James Eric Whytsell, Beth Gribble, and Calvin Anderson. ...