Just as with my Quick Hitters on the FAR and GSAR, my Quick Hitter series on the DFARS is meant to simplify contracting business with the government. This time with DoD.
DFARS 201.01 Purpose
Department of Defense contracts )technology, programs and products( are put in place to obey a firm level of national security set forth by the President of the United States and to assist the warfighter in present and future in protecting the freedoms and liberties introduced by our Founding Fathers as well as protect and serve around the world.
The chief mission of DoD is to obtain quality products and services that fulfill agency requirements with quantifiable upgrades requisite to satisfy mission completion at a fair and reasonable price.
This agency is likely the most visible contracting agency within the entire federal government. Their successes are rarely documented but merely expected, their blunders are broadcast around the world and their advancement and desire to improve is known throughout the globe.
I’m glad you asked because I do have stories regarding DoD contracting from my time spent at the VA Acquisition Academy. The meticulous nature of which their COs go about their business was introduced to us right away when we were taught how to read the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Drilling down to define various words with an a sentence can make or break the determination of fair and reasonable and deciphering is only the first step because you have to be able to articulate your position in common business writing.
A story was shared by an instructor about when they were tasked with writing the contract to repaint a conference room. They said it was a standard contract and shouldn’t have been very hard. They made the award at a fair and reasonable price, but the Air Force General wanted “Air Force blue” instead of eggshell white, and made the decision to purchase supplies and paint it himself. When they arrived at location for the kick-off meeting the conference room was already painted. The CO told the General that the project would no longer continue at a fair and reasonable price because the paint had to be taken off and the project redone. They told us that sometimes in contracting you have to deal with ego.
Another instructor shared the story of her personal collection of diecast model fighter jets that were given to each CO who awarded contracts with Boeing as they negotiated the purchase of fighter jets. We quickly learned contracting was ordinarily a thankless job and rewards in comparison are usually quite small. Therefore, you have to love the process to be successful.
During my time at the VAAA we conducted several military contract simulations which included work within the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations. I’ve never personally seen a DoD proposal from a vendor, but contracting is contracting and I was taught by retired executives and military brass.
I’m eager to work with vendors within the DoD contracting arena.
If you think I can help you then email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com for your introductory email and free consultation. 
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