Captain2722 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Post your response here... In all seriousness, what is your top quality that you look for in a Contracting Officer and why do you consider it so important (i.e. FAR knowledge, people skills, level of involvement)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Mansfield Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Vern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithB18 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Either one. They both [care] and know more than I do. I'd be happy to learn from them. Edited by owner, wifcon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vern Edwards Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Don would be a sensational CO to work for. He knows his stuff, he's very smart, very probing, and very patient, and he explains things well. You would have to stand up to a Socratic style, which forces you to think and drives some people crazy. He would not just tell you what to do. He would force you to think of it. He would sit there, and speaking with that quiet voice would keep saying: What? Why? How? When? But... why that? Why that reason? Why that way? Why then? And just when you think you're going to kill him, it hits you -- Wait a minute, that's a good question. Why that? Why that reason? Why that way? You couldn't do better than Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
here_2_help Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Neither one. I note the question was NOT who would I rather work for. That's a vastly different question than who would I want as my CO on a contract awarded to me for performance. I would love to work for either one but I would never, ever, want Don or Vern as my CO. They are both way too competent and confident. How could I play on their insecurities during negotiations? How could I lead them into regulatory traps that work to my advantage? Nope. Neither of 'em. To be clear, I always want a competent CO, one who's engaged and willing to make a decision. One who's looking for a reasonable and relatively equitable outcome, and not looking to "protect the taxpayers' interests" by screwing over the contractor. But that's sufficient, thank you very much. I always want to know more than my CO, and I want the CO to realize I know more than s/he does. It makes life so much easier.... I hope I haven't offended anyone with this post. I apologize if I have. H2H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InNeedofWisdom Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I always want to know more than my CO, and I want the CO to realize I know more than s/he does. It makes life so much easier.... It sounds like you are "here to help" the government spend money. There is nothing wrong with that done truthfully in good faith. Help the CO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vern Edwards Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Ignorance is a powerful impediment to progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain2722 Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Don would be a sensational CO to work for. He knows his stuff, he's very smart, very probing, and very patient, and he explains things well. You would have to stand up to a Socratic style, which forces you to think and drives some people crazy. He would not just tell you what to do. He would force you to think of it. He would sit there, and speaking with that quiet voice would keep saying: What? Why? How? When? But... why that? Why that reason? Why that way? Why then? And just when you think you're going to kill him, it hits you -- Wait a minute, that's a good question. Why that? Why that reason? Why that way? You couldn't do better than Don. Vern, this sounds like a nightmare for most people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain2722 Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 A few things I have learned to love about CO's that I work with: 1. CO's that give the CS room to work and grow without much supervision. Can't learn anything when the CO is the one always making decisions and just telling you what to do. 2. CO's that are responsive and prompt when reviewing documents. Maybe this is just my selfish attitude, but it's always nice receiving a response the same day you give the CO something for review. 3. CO's that ask the "Why? How come? Show Me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vern Edwards Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Vern, this sounds like a nightmare for most people! Maybe you should have asked Don and me the qualities we would want in persons who would work for us. Here are my criteria: http://www.wifcon.com/discussion/index.php?/blog/2/entry-67-the-ideal-contract-specialist/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoJeff Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 I've had Don as a CO. I pick Vern. It gets discouraging having your contract files physically thrown down the hallway. On the other hand, it was entertaining to get Don to sign a BCM that included a footnote reading (my original post was edited) something negative about Don. Hope all is well in your world, Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Mansfield Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 GeoJeff, What can I say? You were the type that was more responsive to negative reinforcement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyfnemec Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 I've had Don as a CO. I pick Vern. It gets discouraging having your contract files physically thrown down the hallway. This is the greatest thing I've read today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BZMANINTEXAS Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 I'd take them both and let them work part time together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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