Fed Talks: A Baker Tilly Podcast

Latest Episodes:

6. Changes to GSA’s Order-Level Materials (featuring Steve Sizemore) Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Single Schedule Initiative, and specifically the role of Order-Level Materials (OLM). Listen in for advice from GSA subject-matter expert Steve Sizemore and Baker Tilly team member Leo Alvarez. Questions addressed include: 1. What is OLM and how does it compliment the Single Schedule Initiative’s goal of simplification?
2. How do contractors sell items through the OLM Special Item Number (SIN)? 3. How does OLM affect the process of fair and reasonable price determination?

Special Edition - COVID-19’s Impact on Contractors Apr 06, 2020

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On this unique episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the rapidly-evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and what government contractors are doing to deal with it successfully. Questions addressed include: What are some parallels that exist between pandemic response and business activities during this challenging time? What does it mean to be reasonable or prudent in the midst of a rapidly evolving situation?
What might be some lasting impacts of COVID-19 to the government contracting community?
Please find our helpful triage plan we reference as a resource here: https://www.bakertilly.com/insights/covid-19-pandemic-operational--financial-triage-plan

5. CMMC: A Primer and What We Know So Far Mar 30, 2020

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On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the Department of Defense’s new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) with subject matter specialist David Ross, a principal leading Baker Tilly’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice. Questions addressed include: What is CMMC and what is the government’s overall goal in introducing this new standard? What are the different levels of CMMC and which level should contractors look to achieve within the framework? What do we know right now about CMMC, and what is yet to be determined before CMMC is rolled out?

Beers with Brent #2: Risk Aversion over a Double India Pale Ale Mar 16, 2020

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On the second installment of our Fed Talks miniseries edition: Beers with Brent, we discuss government risk aversion with Baker Tilly partner Brent Calhoon. Questions addressed include: Do we sense an atmosphere of risk aversion, and does that affect the relationship between the government and their contractors? What is the distinction between conservatism and risk aversion? What are some of the positive steps being taken by the government to show their trust in contractors, and what can contractors do to support? This Week’s Beer: Minor Indiscretion

4. Government Property: The Forgotten Business System Mar 02, 2020

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On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss government property, one of the six core DFARS business systems with two experts: Tom Ruckdaschel of DCMA and DPAP acclaim and Alex Mikhelson, a manager with Baker Tilly’s Government Contractor Advisory Services practice. Questions addressed include: What is government property and why is it important? Why has government property seen increased attention lately, and how is this impacting government contractors? What can contractors do to proactively prepare for increased scrutiny of their government property systems and identify and address deficiencies?

Beers with Brent #1: An IPA + Perception of Contractors Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

On the inaugural installment of our Fed Talks miniseries edition: Beers with Brent, we discuss the government’s perception of contractors with Baker Tilly partner Brent Calhoon. Questions addressed include:
How do contractors respond to an often-negative public perception? What is the perception vs. reality when it comes to contractor profits? How do the goals of contractors trying to run a business conflict with a government tasked with being stewards of the taxpayer? This Week’s Beer: Chameleon IPA

3. Category Management Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the impact of the Federal Government’s category management approach to procurement with Baker Tilly team members Leo Alvarez and Michael Ryan. Questions addressed include: How has category management impacted Federal acquisitions, including impacts of GSA Schedule consolidation? What are “Best in Class” Contract Vehicles? What key opportunities should contractors pay attention to in 2020 and beyond?

2. Policies and Procedures Dec 18, 2019

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On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the need and approach to documenting policies and procedures for government contractors with Baker Tilly team members Joseph McCaffrey and John Hindman. Questions addressed include: How many policies does a government contractor need; How do business systems influence the organization of policy; How does a contractor choose areas to cover in their policies and procedures?

1. Updating Commercial Sales Practices Nov 08, 2019

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On our inaugural episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the process of updating contractors’ GSA Commercial Sales Practices (CSP) disclosures with Baker Tilly team members Jeff Clayton and Samantha Fry. Topics discussed include: What is a CSP and when should contractors update them; Situations when a Contracting Officer will not allow a CSP update; Migration of stand-alone professional service contracts to the Consolidated Schedule; Associated risks, including pre & post award audits, price adjustments, and the potential for False Claims Act liability.

Introducing Fed Talks: A Baker Tilly Podcast Nov 08, 2019

Show notes

Listen in on our trailer introducing our new podcast: Fed Talks. The Fed Talks Podcast is a series of audio episodes featuring current topics and issues in government contracting, offering thoughtful, bite-sized insights with rotating guests from inside and outside Baker Tilly. [Host: Derek Boyd] [Producer/Sound Engineer: Andrew Graziano] [Marketing: Kendra Bergin]

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