Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples)

Latest Episodes:

055 What is an OCI? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) has become a very important issue for Government contractors as the Government’s perception of and sensitivity to OCI has changed over the last few years. Agencies have updated their policies regarding contractors who provide both support services and products/development. Kevin and Paul explain OCI and how Government and Industry can avoid conflicts that complicate the acquisition process and subsequent contract performance. Learn what an OCI is (and isn’t) and why it is important to tackle the issue early in the acquisition process. If you need help with the Government market, join the Skyway Connection Community 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

063 The Source Selection Decision Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

This episode is brought to you by PROPRICER, the #1 proposal pricing and cost analysis software used by federal agencies and small to large government contractors. Visit www.PROPRICER.com/podcast to learn more or request a demonstration. You’ll be glad you did!Listen and Learn… How is the source selection decision made? How does the Government pick the winner? Kevin and Paul discuss the final stage of the source selection: who won? Learn what information the source selection authority considers and how much flexibility remains once all the evaluations are complete. The source selection decision document (SSDD) summarizes the source selection authority’s rationale for the selection of the winner. Kevin and Paul explain why this most important document must be carefully written and why Industry should always ask to see it, win or lose.Thanks again to our sponsor, PROPRICER (tm).

056 What is an Unauthorized Commitment? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… What is an Unauthorized Commitment? (UA) What makes it Unauthorized? What is a Ratification? Only a Government Contracting Officer can obligate the Government to acquire goods and/or services, but…..sometimes it sure seems like other Government employees are giving direction to Industry and sometimes the goods or services are delivered without proper authorization.Kevin and Paul describe common scenarios where this can happen and why it is important for both Government and Industry to understand the rules. (hint…a UA is not a good career move for either side) Some unauthorized commitments can be authorized after the fact through a ratification. But only if they meet the right criteria. Learn the Government’s process for authorizing those UAs that can be authorized and when the contractor is flat out of luck! 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

062 What is Certified Cost and Pricing Data? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… What is Certified Cost and Pricing Data? Cost and pricing data is exactly what it sounds like. The key word here is “certified”.Kevin and Paul describe the circumstances where the Government requires contractors to “certify” that their cost and pricing data is current, accurate, and complete. Learn how to certify your cost and pricing data, when certified cost and pricing data is required (and when it is not), and what happens if your certified data isn’t current or is inaccurate or incomplete. (the dreaded “defective cert”)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

061 What is a Final Proposal Revision? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… What is a Final Proposal Revision? (FPR) Kevin and Paul continue their dissection of the Government Source Selection process and discuss the process by which the Government allows revisions to Industry proposals after discussions. (also known as “exchanges with offerors after receipt of proposals” or more simply, negotiations)In ancient times the FPR was known as a “Best and Final Offer” or BAFO. Learn why it is important to understand how the Government evaluates FPRs and the peril that exists for Industry when writing their FPR. 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

060 Who Are The Players? What are the Different Roles in the Source Selection and Proposal Process? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… Who are the players on the Government acquisition team? Who are their Industry counterparts? Kevin and Paul discuss different roles on a Government acquisition team and an Industry proposal team. Many roles are similar, but others are unique. Learn what an acquisition consultant does and why a proposal manager is critical to the process. 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

058 The Source Selection Process Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… How does the Government Source Selection Process work? Ever wonder what happens after proposals are submitted? How does the Government go about selecting a winner?Kevin and Paul discuss the FAR Part 15 source selection process from receipt of proposals through evaluation, competitive range determination, to proposal revisions and finally contract award. Learn why it “takes so long” for the Government to pick a winner and why Industry needs to understand process in order to better forecast revenue. 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

057 What is Industry Day? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… What is an Industry Day? What goals should the Government accomplish during the event? How should Industry prepare for an Industry Day? Kevin and Paul describe what an Industry Day can be (and should be) and some common reasons why some Industry Days are less than effective. Learn why the Government should prepare for Industry Days with the end in mind and why Industry should attend for more than the continental breakfast. 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

053 What is a Notification to Unsuccessful Offerors (You Lost…) Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… Unlike in commercial industry, the Government is required to notify bidders that they’ve lost a bid. Kevin and Paul explain what information the Government can and cannot share in the notification as well as why a more informative notification letter can save both sides time and money by helping to avert protests. Learn why the notification can be so devastating to industry and what the Government can do to help lesson the impact of bad news. If you need help with the Government market, join the Skyway Connection Community 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

051 What are Simplified Acquisition Procedures? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Listen and Learn… How can the Government buy commercial items efficiently? Good question! One streamlined acquisition process has now become an official part of the FAR. (after years as a “test program”) FAR 13.5 describes Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) which allow Contracting Officers to skip or greatly simplify the process for buying commercial items when certain criteria are met.Kevin and Paul describe when and where SAP can be used and why it is important for both Government and Industry to understand and take advantage of this most useful FAR language. If you need help with the Government market, join the Skyway Connection Community 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