Contract Management articles from November 2003

Contract Management archives from November 2003

NCMA ... serving the business community.(President's Forum)(National Contract Management Association)
November 1, 2003... As early as the late 1980s and into the early 1990s, management gurus Tom Peters and Bob Waterman Jr., identified an important new business trend--the need for organizations to be fluid, nimble, and dynamic to respond to quickly evolving and...

Management experts speak out--tips for success.(Professional Development)
November 1, 2003... Have you ever wished you had your own personal management coach? What pearls of wisdom would he or she offer to you? Stop wishing and start reading. Here is the best advice from management gurus of all varieties. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Negotiating software license agreements: since software is often critical in day-to-day operations, contracting professionals must clearly communicate the end-user's requirements and negotiate license agreements that address the needs of all parties in an ongoing, working relationship with vendors.
November 1, 2003... The procurement of information technology products and services, including software licenses, is a multibillion dollar, fast-paced industry that thrives on change. Consequently, contracting professionals face constant pressure to purchase these...

Contracting for enterprise IT systems: thoroughly identifying, assessing, and managing risk is critical to successfully acquire and implement an enterprise-wide information technology system.(information technology)
November 1, 2003... Enterprise information technology (IT) systems involving financial, human resources, contracting and procurement, asset management, and supply chain management are integral and mission-critical operations in most organizations today. Yet, even...

Performance-based service metrics in IT: choosing metrics is more of an art than a science especially in IT and other performance-based contracts. The right metrics can make these contracting efforts soar.(information technology)
November 1, 2003... The U.S. government plans to spend $52 billion on information technology (IT) in FY 2003, a 15.6 percent boost that is intended to revitalize the economy, secure the homeland, and help win the war on terrorism. Federal agencies are expected to...

Examining contract management software: companies lacking cohesive CM procedures miss significant savings and revenue opportunities--getting better control over contract production and management is becoming more imperative in large enterprises.
November 1, 2003... The typical Fortune 1000 company maintains 20,000 to 40,000 active contracts at any given time; yet, most companies lack the controls and processes to manage contracts effectively. As a result, businesses lose billions of dollars each year, due...

The new sign of the contracting age: while the legal recognition of electronic signatures is a positive first step, much remains to be done to convince contracting professionals, vendors, and consumers to use the technology with confidence.
November 1, 2003... On July 2, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by the members of the Continental Congress, freeing America from British rule. On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was endorsed by President Lincoln to abolish slavery....

Ensuring top IT performance: the real magic in ensuring your organization's IT first-rate performance in a given contract is the balanced combination of management art and engineering discipline.(information technology)
November 1, 2003... In the November 2002 CM issue, we wrote about service-level agreements (SLAs), a commercial best practice, as "the new standard in government information technology contracts." And while the measurements for success under the performance-based...

Requirements contracts termination.(Case Commentary)(Aviation Specialists, Inc.)
November 1, 2003... In October 1985, the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) awarded Aviation Specialists, Inc. (ASI), a one-year "requirements" contract for the use of a Cheyenne aircraft, without pilot--dry rate--for actual flight hours, as recorded on the tachometer...

Thought in design: reviewing UpsideRFX Software.(Information Technology)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2003... UpsideRFX is part of Upside Software's contract management suite of products. The Canadian company's entire suite is designed to manage the contracting process cradle-to-grave. In this review, however, we're only looking at the RFX module,...

OSDBU Model Code.(Small Business Briefs)(Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... In August, the Federal OSDBU (Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization) Directors Interagency Council published a Model Code of Expectations Between Federal Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and Small...

Federal Travel Regulations.(Small Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Federal Travel Regulations have been amended by a final rule effective October 1, 2003, to increase the incidental expense allowance under the per diem expenses from $2 to $3 for all localities (Federal Register, August 29, 2003). In a...

Federal Prison Industries.(Small Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... According to a memorandum issued by the director of defense procurement and acquisition policy for the Department of Defense (DOD), the Federal Prison Industries staff and its marketing arm (the Government Marketing Group) are advising DOD...

VETBiz.(Small Business Briefs)(Department of Veterans Affairs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Department of Veterans Affairs has created a Center for Veterans Enterprise, which maintains an Internet portal site designed to assist business-owning veterans. Located at www.vetbiz.gov, the site provides links to extensive resources and...

Regulatory Alerts.(Small Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy, has established a Web site that provides alerts on proposed regulations of SB interest, as well as the capability to submit comments on the proposal. The site,...

Trade with Mexican small businesses.(Small Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The SBA has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Mexican government agencies. Signed June 10, 2003, and effective for two years, the objectives are to expand bilateral cooperation, create stronger commercial ties, and...

Schedule 70: IT solutions for your agency.(GSA Case Study)(information technology)
November 1, 2003... When looking for the right information technology (IT) solutions, customers can turn to GSA's Federal Supply Schedule 70 (IT and Corporate Contracts). Schedule 70 provides federal agencies with IT and telecommunications hardware, software, and...

New advancement in contract management software.(Business News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Upside Software recently announced a major new release of its market-leading contract management software--UpsideContract. UpsideContract 4.0 provides increased functionality (over 22 major improvements) and greatly improved usability (enhanced...

Dangers of mass and chain e-mails.(Speaking Out)
November 1, 2003... First of all, what is a mass e-mail? It is an e-mail sent to multiple parties. What is a chain e-mail? It's a mass e-mail (usually) that includes a multitude of non-business related subject matter, such as jokes or cute sayings and requests you...

Procurement Round Table Elmer Staats Award for Young Acquisition Professional Excellence.
November 1, 2003... Each year, the Procurement Round Table, in cooperation with the Federal Acquisition Council, awards $5,000 to a young federal acquisition professional, who has contributed significantly to acquisition operations or acquisition policy: *...

Reverse auctions at FedBid.com.(Beginner's Corner)(on-line reverse auction agent catering to U.S. federal government agencies)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2003... In August 2002, the U.S. Customs Service (as of March 2003, the U.S. Customs Service became the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security) was introduced to FedBid.com (at www.fedbid.com), an on-line...

Final edition: November 2003.
November 1, 2003... Legislation President Bush Signs Defense Appropriations Bill On September 30, 2003, President Bush signed into law the Department of Defense Appropriations Act 2004. The law includes a provision authored by Senator Edward Kennedy...

CM magazine 2004 editorial calendar.(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... March--Articles Due: Dec. 1, 2003 E-Business Wireless technology, paperless office, procurement, information technology, smart cards, on-line catalogues, auctions and reverse auctions, buying consortiums, on-line collaboration, global...

StrategyWise: lifelong learning--keep up with it.(NCMA Contract Management Learning Center Profile)(StrategyWise, Inc.)
November 1, 2003... Charter member StrategyWise, Inc., is a special component of this value-added NCMA member benefit, the on-line virtual educational resource. See StrategyWise's--and many other charter members'--products and services united in one comprehensive...

Berger Award winners: superior service and leadership.(NCMA Association News)
November 1, 2003... A former NCMA national president and an early leader in the professional development of contract management, Albert Berger knew that dedicated leaders are the foundation of a successful professional association. His legacy continues today in...

Capturing the essence of NCMA--newest Honorary Life Member named.(NCMA Association News)(National Contract Management Association)
November 1, 2003... What does this title/status/award all mean, to be an Honorary Life Member with NCMA? More than just a guarantee of having the security of belonging to a professional association well past one's retirement, this means that this individual...

Chapter bulletin board.(NCMA Association News)(conferences)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... HUNTSVILLE CHAPTER These members recently participated in NCMA's Leadership Summit for chapter leaders in San Antonio, Texas. From left to right: Randy R. Centanni (VP membership), Joe A. Hidalgo, CPCM, (NVP of South Eastern Region), and...

News from July Council of Fellows meeting in LA.(NCMA Fellows Network Newsletter)(Los Angeles)
November 1, 2003... The Council of Fellows (COF) meeting was held in conjunction with the West Coast National Educational Conference on July 17, 2003, at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. NCMA President-Elect Chuck Woodside welcomed the group and introduced this...