The squeaky wheel doesn't always get the grease (Guest Blog)
Bid protesting is more art than science. Fair or not, there is often a point when an agency digs in its heels and a contractor simply can’t win. Just ask East West Inc., which after three years and...
View ArticleLet's review: the two top lessons about contract protests (Guest Blog)
There are two recommendations I’ve made repeatedly in this column: Show in your proposal how your company will do the work better than the competition, and know when to walk away. This recent decision...
View ArticleJustice can be expensive (Guest Blog)
There is an oft-quoted saying that if you think talk is cheap, you haven’t talked to a lawyer. Retaining an attorney can be expensive, but in a bid protest it is absolutely required if you hope to be...
View ArticleThe subjective meaning of "responsible" (Guest Blog)
The most basic requirement to be considered for the award of a government contract is to submit a responsive offer and be a responsible offeror. Being responsive to the solicitation is relatively...
View ArticleBrand matters in federal procurement (Guest Blog)
In the mid 1980s, Pepsi and Coke launched what has become known as the cola wars. Both companies engaged in a fierce battle to persuade the public that they were better than the other. Who won?...
View ArticleWhat's government willing to pay? The ultimate question. (Guest Blog)
Whether you are a consumer shopping for a car or a government agency shopping for products and services that support your mission, the goal is always to get the most you can get for the least amount of...
View ArticleDo agencies follow the rules in contract awards? Make them prove it. (Guest...
For all the flaws in the protest process, one fact remains relatively consistent: if the government can’t justify its award based on the law and the terms of the solicitation, a contractor can win a...
View ArticleIs your proposal realistic? If not, the feds could change it.
We all know that contracts often ride on price. But as SAIC found out, if the government doesn’t believe you can do the work for the price you proposed, it just might adjust it upward, then deem your...
View ArticleThe harm of baseless protests (Guest Blog)
Bid protests. Some contractors swear by their value, while others think that they are a waste of time. Some contracting officers view protests as a personal attack on their integrity, others just see...
View ArticleWhen protests are worth the battle (Guest Blog)
When talking about bid protests, there is constant debate about whether there needs to be reforms in light of the growing number of protests filed each year and — if so — what should those reforms look...
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