Constricting Officer

Are we not, under U.S.C, already defined as professionals (5 USC 7103: Definitions; application (house.gov))(a)(15)? Are we not paid well as professionals are? There is no requirement for a degree. Only one for so many hours of business credits (24 I think), unless you want to become a supervisor, then any degree will work. If someone has a degree in the Chinese language or Asia Studies, does that make them more capable leaders? Is the alone factor that a person, from the age 18 through 22, managed to live in a dorm, completed three/four classes each semester and made it through six one-hour-long lectors per week for four years is now more capable? I am not saying that going to college or requiring a degree for certain professions is bad. I prefer my doctor to have some pretty extensive training. I feel the same for the pilot flying the plane I am on, but he doesn't have to go to Harvard for four years to obtain that skill. Industry is picking up on the disconnect - Companies eliminate college degree requirement to draw needed workers (cnbc.com) "A growing number of companies, including many in tech, are dropping the requirement for a bachelor’s degree for many middle-skill and even higher-skill roles, according to a recent study from Harvard Business Review and Emsi Burning Glass, a leading labor market data company. More than 51 million jobs posted between 2017 and 2020 were analyzed for the study. This reverses the so-called “degree inflation” trend that picked up steam after the Great Recession where many employers began adding degree requirements to job descriptions that hadn’t previously needed them — even though the actual jobs hadn’t changed. In place of four-year-degree requirements, many companies are instead focusing on skills-based hiring to widen the talent pool." That hasn't changed. Degree or not. I trained one person with a BA, MBA and JD. This individual was sharp, but not to the point that I can definitively say that the kid that works behind the counter at my gym couldn't do the same thing, minus three papers hanging on the wall. What he is saying is true, but doesn't apply to all situations. Those who go and plan to obtain a skill do well. I am not going to cite a list of those fields because we know what they are. But what about the kids who pay the same price as the engineers, but receive a degree in Jewish Studies, Medieval Studies or Race and Ethic Studies (there in the PSU list I posted). I am not saying those things are bad. I love history. I am saying that if we framing those degrees as a must have to get on the road to being wealthy, we are lying to our youth. No one commented my "completely false/didn't happen" story above. Do we ignore those in that situation? I ask because I meet and speak with a lot of current students. It will be a majority of them when they are done.

I find several of the things you described above available outside of a college campus and at a cheaper rate (Average College Tuition by State - OnToCollege). Let me provide a story (100% not a real/😜). "I really enjoy my one-a-week lunches. I go alone, sit at the bar, have a beer and work on my laptop at a location three blocks from a university campus of roughly 45K students. About 1.5 years ago, I meant a young women. She worked there and attended the university. As I always do, I asked what she was studying. She replied and I had to ask what that course of study was. She explained and I said, "oh, well that's nice." It stuck in my mind for a few days so I did some digging. The highest paying job I could find, on one of the popular job-search sites, was in San Francisco and yearly salary capped at $75K a year. I ran into this young lady a couple of weeks ago. I asked how school was going. She replied that she had graduated last Spring and, even though it took her six years, she had finally completed workload and received her diploma. At this educational institution, six years would roughly translate into $120K, not accounting for books and rent. Since graduating, she has been working as one of four managers of my favorite little hole-in-wall location. From what I can tell, knowing the owner and many others that work there, she is doing very well." All that to say, she could have the job she has now, been doing it since 19 or 20, without a piece of paper which probably cost more than I owe on my house at 33 years young. Your final line about college turning teens into adults' is almost laughable in 80% of cases. I think it does the opposite. It keeps them from going into the workforce, learning responsibility, learning to accept and heed criticism and accel. 100% what I would do. Training with a capable CS/CO. Their work product will speak for itself. If after nine months, they are asking the same stupid question over and over, fire them. Not in most cases. Link to degrees offered 2022 at PSU - Penn State Majors - Undergraduate Admissions (psu.edu). Don't think a degree in "Golf Management" makes someone a lock to enter our beloved career field. I'll shut up now.

This topic has come up several times over the last few weeks in my realm. I do believe "college" is a waste of time and money, but "education" never is. I make this distinction each time because society has somehow convinced young people to pay $3,500 per class, be told to read a specific book and then discuss it . . . What a waste of time. I don't need a peer group of 20 19-year-olds to discuss what I think about Thomas Sowell's "Basic Economics." I can obtain, read and learn from the same/similar text for nothing. It's called a library. Obviously some jobs (architects/nurses) require the piece of paper. Lawyers and Doctors, sorry but you need the 4-years of partying before you can get to learning your preferred skill (if you pass that test). No guarantees. Recently published work on the matter - The College Scam: How America's Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America's Youth: Kirk, Charlie: 9781735503738: Amazon.com: Books.

The parent contract doesn't have anything to say about the ordering process? What do you mean? Using a TO to modify the scope of the parent contract?

Absolutely. Exactly my intent. Thank you for the USACE example. I will review.

Thank you - May I quote you on this? Best definition I have seen. The CO makes the best decision, with the info on hand at the time, and move on with the procurement. The 1988 definition fits commissioning services. If there is something else, please enlighten me.

More people on the way up, than heading out it seems. I guess that would have to be expected after the 08/09 collapse. I an part of the heading in/up group at 33/5-9 years.

Yes - corrected.

Let's not do that (for professional purposes off course). Maybe Twitter?

😂

Hello all. Wanted to get your thoughts on the following: Requirement: Commissioning Services of new building construction (no federal or policy definition, so I provide the following): - Building Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning Services (peterbassoassociates.com) - Commissioning (Cx) is a process that checks and documents the design, installation and, testing of a building's systems according to the requirements of the owner. It includes training of the owner's facilities staff in order to understand and operate the building systems efficiently." Pub.L. No. 100-656, Sec. 742, 102 Stat. 3853 (1988): 40 USC § 541(3) - T"he term "architectural and engineering services" means- (A) professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, as defined by State law, if applicable, which are required to be performed or approved by a person licensed, registered, or certified to provide such services as described in this paragraph; (B) professional services of an architectural or engineering nature performed by contract that are associated with research, planning, development, design, construction, alteration, or repair of real property; and (C) such other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, or incidental services, which members of the architectural and engineering professions (and individuals in their employ) may logically or justifiably perform, including studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, value engineering, construction phase services, soils engineering, drawing reviews, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals, and other related services." The definition above makes it so vague that it it is hard to tell. So many things can fall under "members of the A&E professions (and individuals in their employ)." Does the chance that a A&E firm, under a solicitation posted under NAICS 541350, would quote/provide an offer make the procurement subject to the Brooks Act?

No and No. Good day.

The average new contract specialist hired is in their late 20's or early 30's - in my experience. I was 26 when hired as a GS-5 Procurement Tech on a ladder to GS-7/9 CS. I know no person in my org under 25 or over 70. The most productive work years of any individual, in any field is in their late 30's and 40's. This statement looks like pleading to hire more kids out of college that are mentally weak, poor workers, none driven and want more time off than a person capable, retiring out the contracting arm of the military. "Personnel is policy." - Michael Knowles

Why don't you ask the POC?

What is the solicitation number?