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Sparky87

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Everything posted by Sparky87

  1. Yest the title of the thread was "What is your favorite FAR Part, but the text it was favorite FAR part (twice). Part with a little "P". I chose to respond in that context because just talk favorite FAR Part is kind of like talking about baseball teams without mentioning favorite players. For example, what conversation about the St. Louis Cardinals would be complete without a discussion on hitters like Pujols and Musial. Much like the rest of the thread pointed out. And we wonder why personnel get frustrated with our career field..... What I find ironic is that there wasn't a single comment about the specific passage (nod to comment from Vern Edwards) cited. Quoting/using that FAR cite has helped me do more good in my career than perhaps any other. In practice, our culture practices the opposite. That we can only consider ideas that ARE specifically addressed somewhere. It is a passage that I frequently encourage my trainees to become familiar with and to use when advocating their positions on why they do or don't want to do something. I want to develop some thinking problem solvers not FAR thumping clerks. Hmmmm. Maybe I should start a thread about the most empowering passage(s) in the FAR.
  2. Sorry for the double post. Also with all due respect, part as it little "p" using the Websters definition of part. Traditionally, when referring Part or Subpart of the FAR the "P" and the "S" are capitalized. Just like it shows in FAR 1.105-2©. I also remember when the basic contracting course focused on the FAR (took my 4 week class at Pease AFB, NH) a long time ago. One of the best classes I took.
  3. I have used this question during interviews for "seasoned" GS-1102 positions off and on for a couple of years. Quite frankly, I use it not for a specific answer but to find out if the candidate can actually think and articulate an answer on what is our primary regulatory guide. I have seen applicants with close to 20 years of 1102 experience just stumble around with it. Personally, my favorite part of the FAR is specifically FAR 1.102(d) - "The role of each member of the Acquisition team is to exercise personal initiative and sound business judgment in providing the best value product or service to meet the customer's needs. In exercising initiative, Government members of the Acquisition Team may assume if a specific strategy, practice, policy or procedure is in the best interests of the Government and is not addressed in the FAR, nor prohibited by law (statute or case law), Executive order or other regulation, that the strategy, practice, policy or procedure is a permissible exercise of authority." I have also asked variations on how would you describe the FAR. Sad to say many of our "experiened" 1102's don't seem to be able to do that well.
  4. View it as a good opportunity to broaden your knowledge, but don't stay in it more than a 2 years or so if you can. I'm treat my GPC AOPC position as a 2 year rotational assignment and unless/until someone simply falls in love with it and wants to stay (usually until retirement). It is not a positon where your contracting skills will develop much and what you do know could erode. Depending on the size of your program it is a good introductory leadership position. The GPC AOPC position in many respects is comparable to the old Chief, Purchasing Division/Branch back when we didn't have the GPC card. If you stay in it too long you will be put at a competitive disadvantage with peers when competing for other positions.
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