NCR_40_1_3.pdf

Very informative and enlightening. Also the conclusion suspecting “few COs have much experience negotiating complex contract terms, and the RFO FAR COMPANION and the practice guides are, in their present state, are practically useless. Will COs conduct competitive negotiations competently? If so, how will they do it? We do not know, but if history is any guide, the RFO will be followed by lengthy period of uncertainty, confusion, and bid protest litigation” will undoubtably prove true in my opinion.

Over time, new legislation, FAR changes, and policies will address what are perceived as fixes. This results in greatly expanded regulations prescribing in detail how everything should be done. Ultimately we end up with as bad, if not worse, situation as we have before the RFO.

The only solution I see is a rush movement to make the Guides more relevant and useful coupled with meaningful and comprehensive training. Senior contract management must ensure close oversight initially of all work. Mentoring of inexperienced personnel is a necessity.

When you want to read the Nash & Cibinic Report, but it costs over $21k 🥀

@BruinFed ,

Have you tried public law libraries? I discovered these a few years ago and they are a great resource. For example, the San Diego Law Library has access to databases like Westlaw (see https://sdlawlibrary.libguides.com/az/databases?a=w). Check them out--they are all over the place.

@Don Mansfield Thanks for the resource! My original post was supposed to be a joke. I don’t think your average 1102 has that amount of money to spend on a legal publication.

On 8/26/2026 at 2:04 PM, BruinFed said:

@Don Mansfield I don’t think your average 1102 has that amount of money to spend on a legal publication.

But a contracting office does. If they don’t have it, that’s a sign management doesn’t care.