Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples)

Jaksot

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  270 - ENCORE - What is a Contracting Officer? 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) In this holiday encore presentation of a foundational episode, Kevin and Paul explain the role of a Contracting Officer along with some detail on how they are appointed. You'll also learn about the different types of contracting officers. (with some personal experience mixed in, of course) This episode was originally released as episode #9, way back wh...
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  269 - Ignorance is Bliss 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) It's a common human tendency. When things are going well, we become complacent to the reality of why they are going well and what risks could materialize if things stop going well. Kevin and Paul discuss this tendency in the context of Government acquisition. What happens if the Government relies on the same acquisition strategy over and over "because it works"? Why sh...
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  268 - HUBZone set-asides 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) What is the advantage of being in a HUBZone? (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) Kevin and Paul gave an overview of the HUBZone program in Episode 178. Today they dive deeper into this special niche for small businesses. Listen and learn how FAR 19.1305 gives contracting officers the ability to set certain acquisitions aside exclusively for qualified HUBZone sma...
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  267 - The Past Performance Advantage (Part 1) 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Use past performance to your advantage? When you read that, did you think of how Government contractors can use past performance? Or how Government Contracting Officers and acquisition teams can use past performance? Maybe because it is a required source selection evaluation factor, past performance is often given the least importance and doesn't really impact many award...
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  266 - ENCORE - Cut the Blah Blah 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) This is a special holiday encore presentation of a previously released podcast. Kevin and Paul discuss the power of succinct writing set up by a quote from Mark Twain, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter”. Government Requests for Proposals and the proposals submitted in response are well known for “dense” content. Learn tips on how t...
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  265 - What is a second-tier sub? 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Subcontracting in the Government world can be a complicated process. We've talked about small business goals and set-asides among many other subcontracting topics. Today we tackle second-tier subcontractors. What is a second-tier sub? How can they be viewed differently on services contracts vs. product or solution contracts? Why would the Government limit second-tier subs? Why would ...
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  264 - Winning Your First Contract w/Mike LeJeune 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Today we welcome Mike LeJeune from RSM Federal and host of the Game Changers for Government Contractors podcast. Mike and Paul discuss sales strategies for winning your first government contract as well as common mistakes that contractors make while attempting to win a government contract award. _________ If you enjoy this podcast, we invite you to ...
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  263 - beta.sam.gov 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) GovCon isn't static. Many of the common themes of the podcast, like context and communication, never change. But sometimes the specifics of how you get the job done change, and in this case it is long overdue. The federal government is transitioning and consolidating legacy GovCon websites to the new SAM.gov by the end of Q4 in FY2020. The incremental trans...
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  262 - Stages of Money 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) We talked about colors of money way back in Episode 19, including the limitations that are attached to each color regarding purpose and availability. Today Kevin and Paul take a different route and discuss the stages that Government money travels through regardless of color. Listen and learn the nuances of terms like committed, obligated, expired, and cancelled...and h...
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  261 - Select to Negotiate 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Can the Government negotiate with an individual offeror after the selection process has begun but before awarding a contract? You may be surprised to learn that the answer is yes! Kevin and Paul discuss a source selection technique called "select to negotiate". This process is allowable during task order competitions on multiple award IDIQs. Learn why contractor...
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  260 - Why is there still a Contracting Officer Podcast? 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) The line above has been part of almost every podcast intro for the last 5 years. We know the name has confused a lot of people. In addition, we sometimes talk about Skyway Acquisition, which further confuses things. For today's episode Kevin and Paul attempt to clarify why they started the podcast and why they still release an episode every week. You'll also learn...
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  259 - It’s Not What You Know, It’s How You Apply It 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Past performance is always an important factor in Government award decisions, but just having past performance isn't enough. Kevin and Paul dive into past performance once again, this time to clarify that the real value of past performance is how you apply it to the job at hand. _________ If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymem...
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  258 - Is Bigger Better? 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul discuss the impact of scale on government contracts. Learn how contract size and scope can impact small and large businesses as well as government acquisition and program offices. _________ If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any ...
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  257 - No Ghosting 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul expand on a blog written by Michael Derrios (Head of Contracting/Senior Procurement Executive at U.S. Coast Guard) about ghosting - the practice of withdrawing from communication without explanation. The power of open communication is a regular topic on this podcast. This week focuses on the value created when the government releases a Request for Informat...
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  256 - Federal budget at ground level (with Larry Leffler) 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Paul welcomes special guest Larry Leffler of Leffler Consulting (https://www.lefflerconsulting.com) to discuss the federal budget process. Listen and learn: When does the budgeting process start? Who is involved in the budgeting process? How does a program budget request feed the system to result in funds being appropriated and authorized? How do agencies/offices/...
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  255 - Can a Contractor Evaluate My Proposal? 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Can a contractor evaluate your proposal? Tricky question. Kevin and Paul explain how this common practice can lead to organizational conflict of interest issues, what happens if OCI isn't addressed, and why the government needs contractors to participate in the evaluation process. __________ If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway C...
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  254 - What is an ACRN? (Encore) 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) What is an ACRN? Yes, another confusing Government acquisition term. ACRN is an acronym for Accounting Classification Reference Number. Kevin and Paul explain how ACRNs are used and why both Government and Industry need to pay attention to ACRNs in order to keep the contracting (and billing) process moving along efficiently. __________ If you...
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  253 - Storm Surge 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Kevin and Paul torture yet another metaphor, this time using storm surge to discuss the wave upon wave of contracting activities that tend to stack up at the end of the government fiscal year. Learn why the surge can happen and strategies for both industry and government professionals to deal with it. __________ If you enjoy our podcast, we invite you to che...
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  252 - The Three Rs of Knowledge-Based Services Acquisition with Dan Finkenstadt 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Paul welcomes USAF Major Dan Finkenstadt to the podcast to discuss knowledge-based services. (KBS) Dan has had a long career in the acquisition world and is currently at UNC Chapel Hill working on his PhD. His research is focused on measuring perceptions of quality and value in knowledge-based services in an effort to improve how the government buys and monitors those services....
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  251- How Do I Find The Decision Maker? 16.09.2026 6min

  If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) The question was "How do I get to the decision maker?". Before we can answer that one we have to ask (and answer) a few other questions. Kevin and Paul discuss the questions that have to be covered before "getting to the decision maker": what decisions have to be made? when are they made? who can influence the decision? Learn how to shape decisions in your favor a...