End of Year Spending in the Federal Government

Monday Morning Contracting Tips

Dannie E. James Sr

JE Group LLC

Phone: 404-557-0027

Fax: 404-521-4018

www.jegroupllc.com

Among Defense agencies, the Army and Navy are the biggest 4^th Quarter spenders, while the Air Force and other Defense agencies do most of their purchasing in the first quarter. Army 4^th Quarter spending centered on information technology, communications equipment and technical services, while Navy 4^th Quarter spending centered on aircraft and supporting technical services.

Among civilian agencies, the Health and Human Services and State Departments are the big 4^th Quarter spenders, while the Veterans Affairs, Energy, Treasury and Justice Departments lead in 1^st Quarter Spending. “Pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and Health IT are popular 4^th Quarter purchases for HHS and VA,”.

1^st Quarter is when agencies obligate funds for core mission needs, including Healthcare for ((the Defense Health Agency), aircraft maintenance for Air Force, research labs for DOE, and prisons for DOJ. This contrasts with 4^th Quarter, when a surge of spending occurs for IT and professional services as agencies scramble to expend their remaining funds. Knowledge is key.

We are currently in the last month of the biggest spending push of the year for the federal government market. While many private sector companies slow down for a long, inactive summer, the savvy government vendors are actually going full speed ahead during the summer months with targeted, aggressive marketing and sales campaigns to go after the federal end of year spending rush.

There are many things that should have been in place prior to the end of the fiscal year, which would allowed success of your company in the federal market. Last minute marketing will not assist in your success during the final quarter spending. There is a saying that I believe is real “People buy from people they know”  It does help if you have relationships in the federal government.  

Things to ensure are in place before the End of The Federal Spending:

·         Understand the Federal Government Funding Trend
·         Identify agencies that are buying your products and services
·         Get in front of decision makers early
·         Develop business development strategies
·         Educate your company about direct contract award (Sole Source) and limited competition contract award

All The Best 

 

 

 

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Who’s who and their Responsibilities

Monday Morning Contracting Tips

Dannie E. James Sr

JE Group LLC

Phone: 404-557-0027

Fax: 404-521-4018

www.jegroupllc.com

Let’s start with the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)
 

As the COTR, their primary duty is to monitor the Contractor's performance to ensure that all of the technical requirements under the contract are met by the delivery date or within the period of performance, and at the price or within the estimated cost stipulated in the contract.  In addition, they will be required to review and certify to the Contracting Officer that the Contractor’s invoices should, or should not be approved for payment. This is very important for a Contractor, if you do not have a relationship with your COTR, it could cause a delay in payment.

In the performance of the duties delegated to the COTR, he or she could be held personally liable for actions taken or directions given by the COTR to the Contractor that are beyond the authorities to the COTR.

Duties as applicable to the followings:

·        Monitor Performance

·        Monitor Costs

·        Changes the Contract

·        Visits and Meetings with the Contractor

·        Inspections of the Contract Items

·        Standards of Conduct and Conflict of Interest

·        Control and Accountability of Government Furnished Property/Equipment

                   ·        Contract File Content and Maintenance


 

One week before FedBiz Masterminds Starts, sign up now. 

Call us today, thanks!   404-557-0027 

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How To Create GDP With A Special Event

                                                 (Image of 2016 Festival Peachtree Latino - 8/28/16)

by C. Henry Adams


Question, what is a special event?  Well, according to the City of Toronto in the Country of Canada, a special event is a sporting, cultural, business or other type of unique activity, occurring for a limited or fixed duration (one-time, annual) and presented to a live audience, that impacts.

Listed below are some examples of Special Events in the State of Georgia - United States of America:

1)  Festival Peachtree Latino
2)  Frederick Douglass High School Alumni Cookout
3)  MWPHGLGA York Rite Cookout
4)  Atlanta Braves Baseball Games
5)  Atlanta Falcons Football Games
6)  Road Atlanta (Motor Sports)
7)  AJC Peachtree Road Race
8)  Augusta Southern Nationals
9)  Macon's '  International Cherry Blossom Festival  '
10)  Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament

So basically, a festival in your local city or town is a great precedent.

When people spend money at special events, they create expenditures which relates to part of creating GDP for that particular area whether it be in a community, town, city, county or state.

OK, so what does GDP stands for?   In short, GDP acronym stands for Gross Domestic Product

This is a measurement of spending and the production of the products or services we purchase in the United States of America.     Don't be fooled, the BEA  (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) is responsible for calculating and reporting the GDP.

To learn how they utilize the 7 Accounts NIPA  ("National Income and Product Accounts") Primer, click here to download the PDF.  http://bea.gov/NATIONAL/PDF/NIPA_PRIMER.PDF

As a Business Person, perhaps, if you asked a particular politician could they tell you the GDP for the distinct area to which the elected official serve and they could NOT give you an answer now or later following the conversation; that in itself should be a concern to you.

Well, these are my thoughts, what say you?  Thanks for reading our blogs!




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How Does The Government View Performance Base Contracting?

Monday Morning Contracting Tips

Dannie E. James Sr

JE Group LLC

Phone: 404-557-0027

Fax: 404-521-4018

www.jegroupllc.com

Doing business with the Federal Government requires companies to understand how the government operate under their Acquisition Process.


 
When government consider performance based contracting, they do not lose sight of the reason for using this technique. Its purpose is to obtain better performance or lower costs or both. In other words, things should work better and cost less.

Contractor Capability

Basic to the concept of performance-based contracting is to adopt contracting specifications and procedures permitting the contractor to devise the most efficient and effective way to perform the work. However, drafting of statements of work which enable contractors to use their initiative is only part of the task. Choosing a capable and trustworthy contractor is absolutely essential. Thus, past performance evaluations and partnering are necessary ingredients to selecting the contractor and working with it.

There are Seven Steps that the Federal Government use in Performance Based Acquisitions:

1.            Establish the Team

2.            Decide what problem needs solving

3.            Examine private-sector and public-sector solutions

4.            Develop a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW)

5.            Manage Performance

If you’re interested in joining FedBiz Mastermind which starts September 6, 2016, please give me a call , I would love for you to join the team.  


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Hidden In Plain Site Is To Allude Or ILLude

by C. Henry Adams

Can you find the Eye Glasses in the old flowery pattern chair seen above?  

Sometimes things are hidden in plain site and it is up to us Business related People to find them. 

Perhaps, its a lesson in paying close attention to detail. 

Then again, it could be a lesson in how to protect proprietary secrets as small business owners.

( Or )  I can hear somebody say, " C. Henry, this could be a lesson in where not to put your eye glasses."

Hiding things in plain site is simply to allude or illude?  

So, what is the real difference between both?

Well, to allude means to suggest or call attention to....  

( Hint: Marketing & Advertisement (404)348-8319 )

The prime example of alluding is this particular blog. 

To illude means to trick or deceive.

In my professional opinion, trickery is not always good business practice.

Well, these are my thoughts.   What say you?

Thanks for reading our blogs!










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The Memory of Mr. James Evans

By C. Henry Adams

Often times, I would speak of a Modern-Day Tribe from whence I've come from called, "Kevin Heights Neighborhood".   This area is located in the City of Atlanta, Georgia and part of the Community of Collier Heights.  It is a special place, because of its unique ability to raise children while forming them into thriving, productive Adults.

On Sunday morning,  August 14th 2016, God called home a greatly admired individual whom I had the honor to know throughout my life here in Atlanta, Georgia.  Unique to some and not to others, from my youth into adulthood, I only knew him as Mr. Evans.

In fact, it took the realization of that particular actuality, to settle in my mind when a Neighbor ( A person the same age as myself.) who I grew up with, kept calling me by my 'Last Name' as I walked my dog through the neighborhood when his kids were present. 

Why do I make that assimilation?  

Observing the aforementioned occurrence; one day I pass by this nearby resident again, then stopped to greet him and ask his reasoning for his actions.

He simply stated, " C., do you remember when we grew up here?  We always address the Adults & Elders with 'Mr. or Mrs.' respectfully.   It is my intent to teach my children to follow in the same manner."

Thus, explaining the reasoning for calling Mr. James Evans.

Nevertheless, Mr. James Evans was and is a great Elder.  I recall several times when the Neighborhood called on Mr. & Mrs. Evans to support concerns in our community for decades and they gave wholeheartedly.

The above image attached with this blog identifies a superb quality of Mr. James Evans. It exemplify the fact, that he was always there to give his support to Kevin Heights Neighborhood and the Collier Heights Community while standing firmly in the background.

Finally,  two weeks ago, I pass by Mr. James Evans and greeted him.  I mentioned to him my future plans and he spoke highly of his Sons doing well here, as well as, abroad.

He will be missed, but not forgotten.  We greatly appreciated his wise guidance with counsel.

Well, these are my thoughts.  What say you?  Thanks for reading our blogs!

Funeral Services for Mr. James Evans:

Friday, August 19th 2016

11:00 am  EST

New Hope Baptist Church
236 Richardson Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30312



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Why request a Debrief?

Monday Morning Contracting Tips

Dannie E. James Sr

JE Group LLC

Phone: 404-557-0027

Fax: 404-521-4018

www.jegroupllc.com

To ensure you learn how to write more successful proposals, Request a Debrief.

A debriefing can be a valuable opportunity on many levels; understanding agency's evaluation and source selection decision process as well as understanding what must be done to ensure the next proposal is written better to support the agency needs. The tips below help contractors to maximize the amount and value of the information obtained at a debriefing and to better position for the next proposal submittal.

1)   Always request debriefing, even if you are an awardee

2)   Submit your request in writing as soon as you receive the award

3)   Accept the first appropriate date offered

4)   If you are not awarded do not elect to defer your debriefing until after award

5)   Know what information the agency is required to disclose at debriefing before you attend the debrief 

6)   Prepare Questions in advance

7)   If you’re not the awardee leave your legal counsel out of the debrief

8)   Prepare to listen

9)   Take good notes

10) Do not be controversial 

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that supports Debriefing.

15.505  Pre-award debriefing of offerors.

Offerors excluded from the competitive range or otherwise excluded from the competition before award may request a debriefing before award (10 U.S.C. 2305(b)(6)(A) and 41 U.S.C. 253b(f) - (h)).

(a)(1) The offeror may request a preaward debriefing by submitting a written request for debriefing to the contracting officer within 3 days after receipt of the notice of exclusion from the competition.

FAR 13.106-3 (d)

(d) Request for information. If a supplier requests information on an award that was based on factors other than price alone, a brief explanation of the basis for the contract award decision shall be provided (see 15.503(b)(2)).

15.506  Post-award debriefing of offerors.

(a)(1) An offeror, upon its written request received by the agency within 3 days after the date on which that offeror has received notification of contract award in accordance with 15.503(b), shall be debriefed and furnished the basis for the selection decision and contract award.

(2) To the maximum extent practicable, the debriefing should occur within 5 days after receipt of the written request. Offerors that requested a post-award debriefing in lieu of a pre-award debriefing, or whose debriefing was delayed for compelling reasons beyond contract award, also should be debriefed within this time period.

Join Fed Biz Masterminds if you like more information such as this, Contact me if you’re interested in Fed Biz Masterminds.

All The Best 




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There Is A Discussion Regarding The Evolution From IPv4 to IPv6

By C. Henry Adams

Recently, there started an ongoing discussion within the Internet Society regarding the evolution from IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) to IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6).

Because we did not get authorization to share the discussion or mention any names, we will simply state facts:

1)  IPv4 equals 4,294,967,296 Internet protocol addresses or Unique Identifiers when the Internet concept began to develop.

2)  Over time, IPv4 Internet protocol addresses or Unique Identifiers became used up.  Thus, there was a need for more Unique Identifiers.  Then, IPv6 was introduced.

3)  IPv6 equals 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 Internet protocol addresses or Unique Identifiers.

4)  Currently, there are roughly 7 Billion people in the World.  It is estimated now that 3.5 Billion people utilize a cellular phone. Most cell phones today have Internet access.

5)  There are many devices now then ever before that connect to the Internet and require an Internet protocol address or unique identifier to do so.

6)  The Internet today, plays a major role in politics, the economy and technically how a lot of machinery works.

7)  The Internet Society's " What We Do " is an excellent source of Information regarding Information Technology.

Well, these are my thoughts.  What say you?  Thanks for reading our blogs!



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Macon-Bibb & UGA SBDC Offer Contractor Academy

 

By C. Henry Adams

'SBDC' is an acronym that means ' Small Business Development Center '.

' UGA ' in the State of Georgia is another acronym that stands for the 'University of Georgia'.

When you place these two acronyms with the City-County Government of Macon-Bibb, well, that is a great thing to connect to in Central Georgia.

Alright, that being said,  Macon-Bibb County Government  has team with UGA's SBDC to offer the Contractor Academy.

What is this all about?   The answer is simply to educate Small Business on how to do business with the Government.

Often times BIEMG Blogs feature Dannie James Sr's Monday Morning Contracting Tips on our blogs.

Why?  Well, it appears that doing business with the Government could be profitable if conducted correctly.

Located in the heart of Macon, Georgia is another individual who also encourages small business to do works for the Government. 

His Name is Rev./Dr. James Bumpus.  He is the Director for Small Business Affairs for Macon-Bibb County Government and I'm honored to give him credit, whereas, credit is due.

Moving alone, the Contractor Academy will offer a series of classes on Wednesday(s) starting from September 7th 2016 until April 5th 2017.

The classes will all take place in the Historic Macon Terminal Station, 200 Cherry Street, Macon, GA, 31201 on the 4th Floor.   

This is the real thing;  in fact - it is 35 Total Course Hours!   Wow!   FREE

Here's the schedule:

Macon-Bibb County Contractors Academy 2016/2017 Class Schedule
                                  (35 Total Course Hours)

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 3hrs. Credit Myths & Realities 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 8hrs. How to Obtain Capital (Financing) 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 4hrs. The Planning Process/Gov. Contracting 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 4hrs. Marketing Your Business 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 4hrs. Marketing Your Business II 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wednesday, February 8, 2017 4hrs. Effective Marketing Tools 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wednesday, March 8, 2017 4hrs. How to Work with Government 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 4hrs. Marketing to Government/JV 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Now you can not beat that deal with a 10 foot pole.
 
Click here to download more information regarding the Contractor Academy and Sign up!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3zMnOB0CuuBc1dzeHRxSG9QX2c/view?usp=sharing

You can fill out the PDF and email it to:  Ms. Trudy Lawerence  tlawrence@georgiasbdc.org

(OR)

Print it and place your application in the US Mail here:  UGA/SBDC, 4875 Riverside Dr., Suite 202, Macon, GA, 31210.

For more information, please call: (478)803-0550 or (478) 757-3609

Did I mention that, if you attend each class and pass the course, you could graduate from the Contractor Academy?   Well, its true.  Check it out today!

Well, those are my thoughts.  What say you?  Thanks for reading our blogs!

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Visiting Auburn Avenue Research Library on African Amercian Culture and History

by C. Henry Adams


Sometimes in life, the struggles that God takes us through, not only lead us on the right track, but mark indubitable occurrences that we often call miracles alone our journey.  Humbly, as I learn to submit to the Will of the Almighty, the load I carry on this path of life becomes easier.

If you ever wonder from whence you come from, wonder no more.  As an African American, I learned years ago, often times that our mere existence could be found within our heritage.

But, what is heritage?  Guess what?  Each day on this Earth, you generate heritage.  Heritage is not only a birth right, a tradition, or your own personal reservation. It is also a law.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/heritage

Thus, how you conduct yourself in life is important to our history.  Please do not let anybody discourage or devalue you. 

You are important. 

Recently, I decided to visit the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African Culture and History located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

My reason for this visit was to become apart of this great heritage while learning from it.  I encourage you to join me.   Thanks for reading our blogs!



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