I am in no way referring to pride, but how big are multiple award schedule contracts?
HUGE!
I will never forget my first action. Upon completing my first rotation at The Academy in Frederick, Maryland I had in-house training to learn schedule contracting. My initial assignment was naturally an administrative change action because it has no direct effect on the dollar value of the project.
I quickly found out that value.
My eyes must have gotten as big as saucers because the guy sitting behind me asked matter-of-factly, “How much is it?” So, there must have been a gasp as well because my eyes aren’t in the back of my head. It was $47M!
I spent the morning treating my new assignment as if it were porcelain, the afternoon hunting for the local SOP and the evening wondering what they were thinking giving a $47M project to the new guy. There was much prayer and a beer involved just so I could go to bed that night.
The next day I just changed a point of contact or address. I cannot recall now.
The biggest contract I ever had was a 36k line-item commodities contract. The highest dollar value was $147M. The 36k proposal taught me that I wasn’t as proficient in MS Excel as I thought. The big money deal reinforced that the SOP is the SOP is the SOP.
Some in business like to build their brand. They strut around the office and announce their latest endeavor or conquest. They may even do the same at nighttime at out of work functions. I always laughed because I always won that dogfight but I don’t like to play Top Gun.
My portfolio consisting of FSS assignments averages an annual value of approximately $125M with a cumulative total of $1.8B. Its number of contracts ranged from 30-57 over 9.5 years. I laugh when recollecting the fact that everybody’s workload decreased the longer we were there. So, when I was new I had 53 contracts and when I left it was 30!
Fighting leviathan will make you learn.
The FSS houses 1700 awarded contracts and brings in $17B in business annually. The National Acquisition Center, its parent entity makes $16M per day!
The width and breadth of a multiple award schedule project can appear daunting. I’ve already been daunted and produced a proven battle plan to slay this giant.
While we’re at it, let’s turn your company into one.
If you think I can help you then email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com to receive your introductory message and free consultation.
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