Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples)

Latest Episodes:

114 ENCORE - What are Incentive Contracts? Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) This is an encore presentation of our overview of Incentive Contracts. Look for separate episodes that dive into the details of cost, schedule, and performance incentives.Incentive contracts are designed to help the Government acquire goods and services at a lower cost or with improved delivery or technical performance. These contracts provide the opportunity for creativity in crafting incentives and also great peril if the incentives aren’t perfectly aligned with the Government’s intent.In this episode Kevin and Paul explain the basic types of incentives and provide examples of how they can help both the Government and Industry if used wisely. But look out….the law of unintended consequences can be devastating if the delicate balance of cost, schedule, and performance is not considered with every incentive. ———— If you need help with the Government market, become a Skyway Connection Community licensee and get access to one-on-one insights, time-saving tools, and contract-centric training resources that will make sure you’re ready to take advantage of opportunities each time they knock.The Skyway Connection© Community was created specifically to help companies expand their knowledge and capabilities, and to increase their competitive position in federal government acquisitions. - Learn more at: https://skywaymember.comMembership benefits include: Access to Skyway Insight© Webinars Unlimited access to The RFP Score™ Access to Ask a Contracting Officer Forum™ Priority Access to Skyway Team for Skyway Insight, capture, proposal support __________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

108 The Performance Zone Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Welcome to the Performance Zone! This is where the work gets done…Kevin and Paul introduced the Execution Zones in Episode 84. The Execution Zones are a helpful way to envision where and how certain topics fit into the Government contracting world. The Execution Zones are the post-award companions to the Acquisition Time Zones and are referenced in many episodes. In chronological order, they are:1) The Honeymoon Zone2) The Performance Zone3) The Recompete Zone4) The Wrap-up ZoneMuch like the Acquisition Time Zones, the Execution Zones are cyclical, but using contract award the as “beginning” is the easiest way to think about them. After the Honeymoon Zone we enter the Performance Zone. Contract performance is the bridge to the next contract and how customer satisfaction is built and maintained. The performance zone is actually the reason all the other Acquisition and Execution timezones exist - so the Government can buy something and so Industry can deliver.__________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

106 The Honeymoon Zone Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Welcome to the Honeymoon Zone! Possibly the happiest time in a contract life cycle for both Government and Industry. (or you can read sarcasm into that sentence)Kevin and Paul introduced the Execution Zones in Episode 84. The Execution Zones are a helpful way to envision where and how certain topics fit into the Government contracting world. The Execution Zones are the post-award companions to the Acquisition Time Zones and are referenced in many episodes. In chronological order, they are:1) The Honeymoon Zone2) The Performance Zone3) The Recompete Zone4) The Wrap-up ZoneMuch like the Acquisition Time Zones, the Execution Zones are cyclical, but using contract award the as “beginning” is the easiest way to think about them. Starting with contract award, we enter the Honeymoon Zone. Learn what happens during the first days and weeks after contract award and why a contract kickoff meeting is valuable for both sides. As always, communication between Government and Industry counterpart is vital to successful contract performance. The Honeymoon Zone is where the standard is set for future communications that can make or break your program’s performance. __________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

105 What is a Proposal Manager? - With Wendy Friedman Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Learn from a professional proposal manager! Kevin interviews Wendy Freidman, a veteran proposal manager who also happens to hold the NCMA’s Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) designation. We’re thrilled to bring Wendy’s experience and “outside” view to the podcast. Kevin and Wendy discuss the difference between preparation and planning with regard to proposals for Government acquisitions. Learn how incomplete of communication regarding the release date for a Government Request for Proposal can create chaos for Industry and the very real people involved in proposal writing. Wendy shares deep insight into the distraction that RFP rumors can create for the Industry proposal team and why written direction from the Contracting Officer is priceless. ———— If you need help with the Government market, become a Skyway Connection Community licensee and get access to one-on-one insights, time-saving tools, and contract-centric training resources that will make sure you’re ready to take advantage of opportunities each time they knock.The Skyway Connection© Community was created specifically to help companies expand their knowledge and capabilities, and to increase their competitive position in federal government acquisitions. - Learn more at: https://skywayacquisition.com/connectMembership benefits include: Access to Skyway Insight© Webinars Unlimited access to The RFP Score™ Access to Ask a Contracting Officer Forum™ Priority Access to Skyway Team for Skyway Insight, capture, proposal support __________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

104 What are Performance Incentives? Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by PROPRICER(TM), the #1 proposal pricing and cost analysis software used by federal agencies and small to large government contractors. PROPRICER’s Government Edition will simplify the Government’s cost analysis process and save time and effort. Visit www.PROPRICER.com\podcast to learn more or request a demonstration. ____________FAR Part 16.401 describes incentive contracts. Incentives fall into 3 general categories: cost, performance, and schedule. Kevin and Paul discuss performance incentives (FAR 16.402-2) and provide an overview of how performance incentives are structured. Learn why it is critical to clearly communicate what performance is important and how that performance will be measured and assessed. Remember that the law of unintended consequences can wreak havoc on any incentive contract! Know what you’re really incentivizing. Be sure to understand the additional costs involved in managing incentives.__________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

103 Ethics in Government Contracting Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) Ethics never goes out of style…except maybe in election years. If you’re a Government contractor, the FAR mandates that you comply with basic business ethics principles. Kevin and Paul discuss the requirements levied by FAR 52.203-13, “Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct”. Learn when this clause applies (and doesn’t apply) as well as why the Government requires Industry to follow these standards. ———— If you need help with the Government market, become a Skyway Connection Community licensee and get access to one-on-one insights, time-saving tools, and contract-centric training resources that will make sure you’re ready to take advantage of opportunities each time they knock.The Skyway Connection© Community was created specifically to help companies expand their knowledge and capabilities, and to increase their competitive position in federal government acquisitions. - Learn more at: https://skywayacquisition.com/connectMembership benefits include: Access to Skyway Insight© Webinars Unlimited access to The RFP Score™ Access to Ask a Contracting Officer Forum™ Priority Access to Skyway Team for Skyway Insight, capture, proposal support __________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

102 Subtract then Multiply! Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)The latest in our continuing series on targeting. First we covered reachable market, target market, and your weight class. Targeting 201 we learned how to “be the prize”. In this episode we introduce the concept of “subtract, then multiply”.Kevin and Paul discuss the art and science of targeting. Learn how effective targeting increases the quality of opportunities available to industry and makes the Government’s selection process and administration of contracts more efficient. ———— If you need help with the Government market, become a Skyway Connection Community licensee and get access to one-on-one insights, time-saving tools, and contract-centric training resources that will make sure you’re ready to take advantage of opportunities each time they knock.The Skyway Connection© Community was created specifically to help small companies expand their knowledge and capabilities, and to increase their competitive position in federal government acquisitions. - Learn more at: https://skywayacquisition.com/connectMembership benefits include: Access to Skyway Insight© Webinars Unlimited access to The RFP Score™ Access to Ask a Contracting Officer Forum™ Priority Access to Skyway Team for Skyway Insight, capture, proposal support __________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

101 Negotiations Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by PROPRICER(TM), the #1 proposal pricing and cost analysis software used by federal agencies and small to large government contractors. PROPRICER’s Government Edition will simplify the Government’s cost analysis process and save time and effort. Visit www.PROPRICER.com\podcast to learn more or request a demonstration. Negotiations are an important part of the Government acquisition world. (and the rest of your life, of course) Kevin and Paul discuss the origin of “win-win” negotiations. Learn the important difference between competition and negotiation and why embracing the solution as “ours” leads to better outcomes.__________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

578 - Selecting Contract Type Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

All Episodes are inside Skyway Central©
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095 What is the 8a Program? Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This episode is brought to you by IB Supply. ibSupply.com is your one-stop source for timely delivery of best value products. As a preferred source of supply, and an award winning AbilityOne provider, ibSupply.com offers access to thousands of products with compliance filters for hassle-free procurement. With FREE shipping and next-day delivery options, ibSupply.com’s quality service is unmatched. Shop ibSupply.com today!____________Special guest Shelley Hall joins Paul for a tutorial on the 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) Program is intended to help socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to the economic mainstream of American society. Learn the requirements that must be met to be certified as an 8(a) company and how the program helps to develop small disadvantaged businesses. You’ll also gain perspective on how the preference given to 8(a) companies can result in fast and easy contract awards and how large businesses can benefit from the 8(a) program. __________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

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