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.
PGI 211.102 Identification And Availability Of Specifications
Once again, if the vendors know what their CO/KO has to do it will help you know what you need to do. One of those things is to give them grace. They have a lot of work to do just to sign that SF-1449 or SF-30.
DoD houses unclassified specifications, standards and data item descriptions in ASSIST (Acquisition Streamlining & Standardization Information System). This database houses historical trends and updated information.
COs/KOs utilize this girth of information to assist in gaining an understanding of the buy to write the solicitation, conduct market research, analyze proposals, draft their negotiation points and even add to the database if new or updated information is received.
I worked with Andrew Morgan at the FSS. During his time in the Air Force, he installed American franchises on foreign bases. I inquired about the contracting process. He said there was a giant database with all the information in it. He admitted that he didn’t even know what he was doing for his first one, but people before him did such a good job that it made him look like he did a good job. I can only imagine that’s what ASSIST does for DoD. If you get a chance to work with him and you have time then ask him about Nacaroni Grill.
Details for military goods and services can be stringent. It would take months to start from scratch every single time. DoD understands that our military often does not possess such a luxury. Therefore, DoD simplifies the process in order to ensure that purchases can be executed as quickly as possible. Even if the process is new for the man or woman who is responsible for binding the United States of America via contractual agreement.
DoD puts their employees in position to succeed. That’s why they are routinely known as one of the best, if not the best, contracting entities in the entire world.
Contractor requests (RFI, RFQ & RFP) can all look the same. My second cousin and his wife spent their entire professional careers working for a company who designed and built major weapons systems as well as aircraft parts. They are retired now, but he still recalls the time where he and his engineering team worked for hours upon hours a day for multiple days just to supply a request for quote when they thought it was a request for proposal. He told me that the CO/KO told him it was the best RFQ she’d ever received!
I won’t send you on a wild goose chase.
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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