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Jamaal Valentine

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  1. Jamaal Valentine
    I don't know which one is more difficult to accept, Vern or Kobe. At least I got to see Kobe play live and in person.
  2. Jamaal Valentine
    Kobe did. Peyton should.
  3. Jamaal Valentine
    Precisely why I listed CLIN 0003 (if desired). CLIN 0001 & 0002 should be sufficient unless they have other intentions for CLIN 0003.
  4. Jamaal Valentine
    CLIN 0001 - LH CLIN 0002 - T&M CLIN 0003 (if desired) - FFP Here is a training/policy guide of sorts: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi/attachments/2006d030_overview.pdf You might find a similar real-world example here: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=f82bec216949ef9c3cf28222eabe5213&tab=core&_cview=1
  5. Jamaal Valentine
    I've read the classifications for 1102 (dreamscape), 1105 (fits many of today's 1102s in general), and 1106 (fits most of today's contract specialist). I still don't understand how they worked as a team, in practice. I see how it could work if each series was staffed with people who knew their job well, so maybe that was the case. Maybe workload was lighter so fewer COs were needed. One of the challenges I see today is that very few people are good at any facet of purchasing or contracting (duties of clerks or technicians, specialists, and contracting officers). Distributing the duties will not make individuals more competent, but reducing the overload and focusing on specialization could. From my experience, you either work in construction or supplies and services. Within those teams you can be assigned anything from a $3,500 SAP to a multi-million dollar competitive negotiation and anything in-between. Most requirements are filled through task or delivery orders.
  6. Jamaal Valentine
    duke38: Are you talking about a solicitation that was set-aside for a particular group? If so, did the "vendor" somehow suggest or represent itself as eligible for award under that set-aside?
  7. Jamaal Valentine
    I've heard several older timers talk about having procurement clerks and whatnot, but was it any better then? How many people worked on a single contract file? Did a CO make a decision and have a clerk type up the memoranda? If so, it seems the clerk would have to be equipped with the same knowledge and competence as the CO. What prevents offices from assigning duties that resemble the old time structure to today's 1102s? Seems the 1102 series consist primarily of overpaid scriveners anyhow so let a few serve as COs and specialists on other than simplified purchases, and another share serve as COs and specialists for SAP. Each team can assign some specialists as admin and clerical help to process CARS, CPARS, etc. I don't think this helps because the knowledge required is still absent. Was infighting, over responsibilities, prevalent when offices were staffed with 1101s, 1102s, 1105s, and 1106s?
  8. Jamaal Valentine
    Vern mentioned something about the Cornell Method (or Cornell Notes). How about creating law school outlines in class, which help you apply the rules to scenarios at a later date (i.e. work)? In my mind, the goal of classroom training is to build and test specific knowledge and ability: to apply what you have learned to real problems later. In that regard, pure recall of particular rules, while beneficial, is unnecessary, but mastering the concepts, and ability to conduct adequate analysis is. Law school outlines are great for that purpose. Ultimately can you look at a set of facts and make a timely, accurate assessment of what rules apply, the best options available, and recommend a course of action? Law school outlines can help you with all three by organizing your learning and thoughts. Instead of preparing for an exam you'd be preparing for future procurement, etc. I guess the quickest and cheapest way to improve training is to improve the way we train as individuals.
  9. Jamaal Valentine
    Thanks Bob.
  10. Jamaal Valentine
    fizzy: I raised the question here with the intent of creating a dialogue within the forum community. A round table discussion of sorts. I personally don't believe it applies and wouldn't present the question to my leadership (outside of my direct boss) unless I held a dissenting opinion based on some authoritative reference. I'm still new and building credibility. I believe your name is your brand and I want to build my brand's strength and value, not jeopardize it unwisely. I would simply follow the rules as written.
  11. Jamaal Valentine
    The leadership of a career field should have something in common with those in the career field. This becomes harder the higher you get as specialization is less likely to be desired. At the higher levels, policy makers are simply out of touch with reality and don't know what training is really required and face it, few officials hire vocal opposition that is willing and able to identify the failures in the system. Who would ever allow the Attorney General, Surgeon General or Secretary of Health & Human Services, etc. to lead an organization they don't have the credentials for and simply have little understanding of? Has a former 1102 ever lead AT&L? Who in the front office of OFPP or AT&L, etc. have a working knowledge of the FAR system (from practice)? What is the growth potential for an 1102? In addition to training, opportunity is needed. Without growth opportunity fewer of the good people will stay within the government and turnover isn't something that good training will solve.
  12. Jamaal Valentine
    Depends on what you want to achieve.
  13. Jamaal Valentine
    UPBs can be used to establish a reasonable estimate for comparison, in my experience. Here is a link to understanding RS Means data: http://www.cmdgroup.com/help/costworks/understanding-rsmeans-data/ I have estimators on the technical side that use pricing guides such as the RS Means. The guide in and of itself seems okay, the problem is usually with the estimator and their ability to estimate quantities or implement a sound estimating process. I can't judge the quality of their estimate per se, but I can judge the process used to build it. The tool is fine, but the process that implements the tool may not be. For this reason, I prefer competition and find that market prices are usually more indicative of accurate pricing. At any rate, a Prime using subcontractors still requires a fair and reasonable price...according to the RS Means FAQ website - The prices listed are always the prices of the installing contractor. The installing contractor may be the GC, a contractor or even a sub or sub-subcontractor. Note: each time the costs are passed up the chain of responsibility, a percentage or markup (frequently 10%) is usually added. Does the contract include either 52.219-14, or 52.236-1?
  14. Jamaal Valentine
    For contracting, I believe a written test similar to the Maryland Bar Exam, written test, would suffice. 10 questions - three hours: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/examquestionsanswers.html No multiple choice. Follow, the written test with an oral exam of some sort and call it good. I'm not commenting on the extent of Maryland's Bar Exam because if its anything like California it has additional testing, the California Bar Examination consists of the General Bar Examination and the Attorneys’ Examination. The General Bar Examination has three parts: six essay questions, the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE, which is multiple choice), and two performance tests (PT, which is another narrative).
  15. Jamaal Valentine
    How about rebalancing and redistributing the workforce in an effort to incentivize training and have unqualified people self-eliminate from consideration as contracting officers. Maybe it's easier to implement stringent competency, education, testing, and certification requirements if we limit it to key positions - say contract specialist and contracting officers. Bring in other 1100 series, outside of 1102s, to do the more routine or simplified actions as well as support the 1102s. Then implement, as Don stated, required competencies, developed and published by DAU/FAI, that employees must obtain using whatever method(s) they choose (self-study, online classes, DAU/FAI classes, commercial training organizations, etc.). This pipeline could lead to 1102 positions, which should be significantly and progressively higher on the pay scale than the positions below and supporting it. Money incentivizes many things. People could take the training mentioned above seriously if it paid to do do. Special Pay Positions: OJT Trainer Special Qualifications Reviewer/Policy Just thinking out loud...
  16. Jamaal Valentine
    huwen119: Forgive me for duplicating a previous question, but I want to be sure I understand. Does the contract specify how many people you have to provide (by number)?
  17. Jamaal Valentine
    Brings up a great opportunity to solicit research techniques. As of now I have the internet (FAR websites, Board/Court Websites, Wifcon, and Google) and hardback books. Where is everyone getting their information?
  18. Jamaal Valentine
    I think many of us are waiting for Part IV of Vern's Contracting Trainee blog.
  19. Jamaal Valentine
    Thanks for setting me straight. So 52.212-4[d] and 52.233-1 are essentially the same, and Alt I is where the differences manifest? Alt I is not used commercially?
  20. Jamaal Valentine
    Disputes under 52.212-4[d], are not necessarily the same as disputes under 52.233-1. Understanding that 52.233-1 is referenced in 52.212-4[d], note that 52.212-4[d] "requires" continued performance pending final resolution of any "dispute" "arising under" the contract. Contractors duty to continue performance under the standard Disputes clause is "authorized" not "required" continued performance pending final resolution of any "claim" "arising under", OR "relating to" the contract (see FAR 33.213). I don't think it's easy enough to suggest reading 52.233-1 is all that is needed. My two cents.
  21. Jamaal Valentine
    My suggestion is to afford personnel the opportunity to use what they learn in self-study, class, or OJT. I personally don't believe we get enough reps doing things the right way simply because it usually means expanding lead times when the current goal is to reduce them. Secondly, make more resources available. I find it peculiar and frustrating that there is a DoD Acquisition Workforce Development Fund but, nobody I've contacted seems to know how to tap into it. I've requested books, classes (Far Bootcamp, Critical Thinking, Level III DAU courses, etc.), and subscriptions only to hear those dreadful words - we don't have the money. I mention the fund and get blank stares or more questions than answers.
  22. Jamaal Valentine
    Vern: I find that very interesting. I have a few expensive rifle scopes and now when I want another one I can use the arts to justify the purchase to my wife. A within general scope additive change. Likely wouldn't pass her standard and any protest would be sustained.
  23. Jamaal Valentine
    This is absolutely a discussion forum and an arena to socialize ideas. Once the new circle is drawn, can you go back to the original circle within scope? Seems that the financial impact on the contractor and consequently the government should go into the deductive analysis. It seems the contractor should be left in the same or similar position, financially, after the change in scope. Equitable adjustments under the changes clause and terminations clause offer different methods of relief/recovery. I found this to be a decent, easy to read starting point on post award deletions of work: http://read.nxtbook.com/ncma/contractmanagement/september2014/postawarddeletionsofwork_feat.html
  24. Jamaal Valentine
    Jason: Just remember most custodial contracts would be commercial and would include Changes clause 52.212-4[c], which does not allow unilateral deductive changes.
  25. Jamaal Valentine
    If you have an edition, the Cibinic and Nash, Administration of Government Contracts books may provide what you are searching for.
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