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
Guidelines For Creating & Maintaining A Competitive Environment For Supplies/Services In DoD
I know. This document is from December of 2014 and the DFARS has been updated numerous times since then. However, it gives an overarching snapshot of how DoD remains the pinnacle of federal contracting within our nation’s government. After all, it’s from The Obama Administration, and how many people still blame him? Continue reading at your own risk. That being said, I’ve proved my mettle.
This document explains “Better Buying Power” as emphasized by the acting USD/AT&L. This sweeping conjecture is taught in all twelve agencies, but it’s DoD’s brainchild, and they have reared it admirably. It’s principles promote critical thinking to create best practices.
Competition prompts industry to lessen costs while optimizing performance. Competition allows the market to drive pricing. That’s as fair as fair gets. “Full-and-open” competition is widely considered upon the vast majority of solicitations out on the street for the public’s consumption. That means the buy is an opportunity for anybody who finds it before the closing date.
Nevertheless, COs can and often do minimize the goal of competition. How? I will tell you from experience that often times, PALT forces their hand. Many proceed with the status quo. They use the same contractor, the same J&A, the same market research, etc. This because the CO routinely not only has access to their assigned workload, but the workload of their peers in-house, in agency and even across the nation.
CO’s may poorly define or restrict requirements within the solicited solicitation, have time constraints (PALT/workload), have lack of knowledge pertaining to the nuances of the buy, have lack of project management (scope-creeping) and a lack of willingness to take a risk often times referred to as “go with what you know” as new or untrained COs don’t know what they don’t know nor where to find it. An example of this would be furnishing GFP to cut costs.
COs can alleviate impediments to competition by conducting thorough market research, using set-asides whenever possible, using Sole Source buys as dictated by the project, using interagency buys for goods and services which have attached a license/data rights, using RFIs/RFQs before soliciting a buy, going for a site visit if applicable, holding pre-solicitation conferences, initiating one-on-one interviews, using performance-based language for requirements instead of technical language, using Schedules as well as ensuring the RFP covers the basis for award and not how or why.
I was known as a very thorough CO who exhibited an unmatched level of customer service. I was never just about getting a signature. I wanted all sides to be comfortable with any established agreement. Part of that is my small town upbringing and the rest is the VA Acquisition Academy.
I know firsthand the barriers that you’re assigned CO is experiencing. I know what corners they want to cut. I know how to help you help them.
If you think I can help you then please email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com for your introductory email and free consultation. 
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