This is where a vendor can assume control within its business agreement. You can modify pricing and products within the scope of the project. But remember you can’t be a scope creeper.
So, you’ve made it through negotiations and you have a contract number. Congratulations! However, you want or need to make some changes. You can do that.
The biggest thing to remember about projects within the federal government is that all changes must be vetted and agree to by your CO. Even the small stuff.
The most common neglect are known as administrative changes. These are names of POCs, email addresses, telephone numbers, addresses and product numbers as well as descriptions. Turnover happens, promotions occur, addresses change as well as products. Your CO needs to know. Tell them imnediately! Each agency and office have their own methodologies in place for execution. They will let you know theirs. Change takes time and communication is vital. Don’t let this seemingly small detail go untended. You could lose money or even your contract.
You can also increase or decrease your pricing on your contract. To do this, you will need market research and invoices to show pertinent price changes in business. This is referred to as an economic price adjustment. See! The government isn’t all handcuffs and red tape. They’ll make you whole in case of losses and allow you to be competitive over time if you need to drop your prices.
You can also remove products if your contract is on a federal schedule. If you no longer manufacture a product then why not take it off the agreement? It will alleviate administrative burden. If you are on a straight buy you have to provide what you said.
Every change in your contract is documented by a modification to the originally solicited solicitation that you answered through your proposal. Each office uses a SF-30 but their may be additional paperwork. Don’t forget the supplemental documentation. This may include product incerts, pricing invoices and sales catalogs. Don’t forget them. I always told vendors that too much is better than not enough. Your CO may even ask you for more. Don’t be shy in asking them questions. They have to know what they are agreeing to and why. Help them help you.
The federal arena can be overwhelming and some vendors don’t even know changes can be made. I know the process and between you, your CO and me, the process can go smoothly.
If you think I can help you then email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com for your introductory message and free consultation.
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