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leo1102

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Posts posted by leo1102

  1. Was the requirement performance based? If so, the Government does not tell the contractor how to staff the requirement.

    I would, however, be curious to know. In this instance I would contact the DOL at the geographic location where performance will be performed and send them a copy of the PWS. Ask the DOL if the services outlined in the PWS support the General Clerk or the Admin Assistant labor category and which level (I, II, III, IV).

  2. Some of my thoughts -

    My second to last question is always "Have I responded completely to your questions or do you require further clarification of my responses?"

    At the end of every interview, my last question is always "Who should I contact for a debriefing?" More often then not, the lessons learned in debriefings will increase your preparation for the next interview. Sometimes the debriefing may just be worthless. You decide.

    Whether in person or telephonic, I always take notes on the questions asked, then pause, and provide a concise complete response. If I have not heard the complete question, I ask that it be repeated.

    If I do not know the answer, my response usually is "That's a good question and something I will research because I do not have a satisfactory response". This indicates your willingness to be honest and open about your lack of knowledge in a particular area and your willingness to do research and learn.

    Most intern program selectees do not have much, if any, contracting/procurement experience. The interview panel is listening for your responses - eloquent, grammar, slang, "ummmm", "like". They are listening for your ability to think on your feet.

    Be friendly (but not overtly so), open, honest and polite.

  3. Steveatus - May I make a quiet, friendly suggestion - - learn from the constructive criticism and advice provided on this forum. These are some of the most knowledgeable, experienced and well-connected contracting professionals who take the time out of their schedule to share their extensive knowledge with the forum members. Government and industry. Worldwide. Some literally "wrote the book" on contracting. May I make another suggestion - read Vern's Blog Parts I, II and III of the continuing saga about the trainees and their quest for knowledge. It is a great tutorial on how to look at issues, formulate sound questions based on your own research and knowledge, and, most importantly in my view, how to listen and learn.

  4. Good morning.

    Jacksonville, FL is full of 1102 positions - some entry, some not. The organization I work for has NACC (Naval Intern) positions open every year - sometimes more than once a year. These intern positions are advertised on USAJobs and are usually open for only one day - they receive hundreds of applications. Your best bet is to check USAJobs on a daily basis and look for GS-7,9,11,12 ladder or intern positions. Check out American Graduate University for your Master's Degree.

  5. The difference between the working climate of DoD agencies and Non-DoD agencies is palpable. I prefer working for DoD. Of course, I am retired Army so the regimental, can-do, teamwork, mission focused support provided for the DoD is in my blood. DoD has afforded me oportunities to do commercial and non-commercial acquisitions. DoD contracting is made of: (just to name a few) Construction & A&E, supplies, professional/non-professional/personal/non-personal services, RDT&E, Environmental, and on and on. Non-DoD agencies are focused on their specific missions and do not affort the depth of experience gaining procurements. Since you are currently in DCMA, are you only working post-award administration? Your experience as a procurement technician under $150K provides you with a basic understanding of contracting policies and procedures. If you want to build more large contract acquisition experience, I advocate you remain within the DoD.

  6. MotorCity: It is not just your agency.

    Even in such a short span of 10 years I have seen a great change in the 1102 program. Interns come on board in a GS-7/9/11/12 position and reach GS-12 at the end of the three year internship. This internship is usually performed within the same office, rotating between sections, with a 3 month rotation outside the agency. They are required to achieve their Contracting Level II.

    I find a few expect to get any GS-13 for which they apply and are vocally very disappointed when they are not selected. These same few think they know everything and are real resistant to self motivational improvement and learning. These few often fail to ask pertinent questions, fail to meet deadlines, and periodically alienate peers, supervisors and management.

    It is the most exceptional intern who knows that he/she must acquire varied and more complex experience before most agencies will consider him/her for selection to the GS-13 level. Most know that those of us who are more seasoned with varied experience are usually eager to share our knowledge and experience to guide and mentor.

    The Federal Government's dependence on automated systems for things like clause usage and the almost guaranteed graduation from each DAU course attended is contributing to the "dumming down" of the 1102 field. What happened to applying logic, planning, reading, understanding, inquiring, deducing and other fundamentals of business? More checklists, templates, form letters, etc. I am concerned.

  7. What does the position description require? If you have established rating criteria - are they being exceeded, met or not met? We use metrics, customer surveys, observations and inspection/review of workload to determine ratings. Also, if the GS-13's are supervisory in nature, they are rated on how well they supervise, lead, manage, mentor, and how well those employees under their supervision are performing. A supervisor is ultimately responsible for the actions and inactions of those over which they are appointed.

  8. Here in my environment I am surrounded by loud people who have no consideration for anyone else within 100 feet. They use speaker phones, talk over cubicles and otherwise abandon common cubicle decorum. I bought Skull headphones, loaded over 150 CDs to my Samsung Galaxy Note II and now I can work in peace. Currently I am listening to the Jazz playlist which include Dave Koz, Clarence Clemons, Esperanza Spaulding, Geri Allen, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Haden, Harry Connick, Jr, Diana Krall, Chris Botti, Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck, Charlie Mingus, Wynton Marsalis, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few!!

  9. Dear Buyer: Love your moniker!!

    Here's my two cents on this subject. Why don't you take the Level I certification through DAU for Program Management? It will give you a taste of what may lie ahead. You have been an 1102 for enough time to know that it is "stressful" and "grueling". The question is whether you feel you can maintain your performance standards in the coming years while pursuing your personal goals. I know of several 1102s who either completely quit Government service or applied for and were hired in a less "stressful" and "grueling" career field. Another consideration - is the hiring official permitted to hire a GS-1102-12 into a GS-13 program management position? There may be certain eligibility restrictions - such as educational or time in grade at the next lower level in the program mamagement series.

  10. Hello all.

    Some of us here are discussing the definition of "Level Above Contracting Officer".

    Some think it means that if the contracting officer has a $10M warrant authority that any one with a greater warrant authority is considered "level above".

    Some think that it means the "chain of command" or "Supervisory" level above the contracting officer.

    I have searched and searched ACQuire, DAU, FAR, DFAR, NMCAR and could not find a single definition for "level above contracting officer".

  11. "Otherwise one could issue a task order with a base period of one year and 40 one year options. : )"

    This statement may not be accurate across the Federal acquisition landscape. In DOD, knowledge based service aquisitions can not exceed 3 years and non-knowledge based service or supply (material) acquisitions can not exceed 5 years (base and options included). This applies to orders under the GSA FSS schedule, open-market and sole source requirements. Please check with your agency guidelines.

  12. Is the contract FFP or Cost-Reimbursement?

    Work with your Contractor and do a bi-lateral modification to the contract. If the services required to be performed under the contract require the contracted employee to obtain certain training or maintain certain credentials, then that is the responsibility of the Contractor. Since this training was unanticipated at the start of this contract and since it is within-scope, then modify the PWS, and negotiate a price instructing the Contractor not to exceed the JTR reimbursement rates.

    The Contractor is well within his right to negotiate G&A and profit on costs incurred. That is why the Government should want to negotiate the cost.

  13. As a GPC Card Holder I have a follow-up question:

    Is each toll charge billed separately or is it all billed monthly together on the same invoice?

    If the sum of all tolls are billed on a single invoice and if that invoice is recurring on a monthly basis, then this is a recurring procurement and should not be paid using a GPC.

    The issue is the recurring nature of the charges, not the amount.

    You should look into entering into a BPA with the toll company.

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