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Beantown_Contracts

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About Beantown_Contracts

  • Birthday April 25

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    lakeshoreba@yahoo.com

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  1. H2H-Thank you. As to pricing, NRE was paid under DoD contract, so not certain that we would fully factor that in. Neil- Thank you. I hear you on calling parts 'customer parts', a fight I've been winning step by painful step. Knocking down fallacies and false (or outdated) knowledge is a daily task with a company that for 20+ years had a contracts staff that did not keep up with changes or subscribe to continuing ed (NCMA, etc.) Best, BC
  2. Hi, Background: USG/DoD Contract-Major Program; My company was Sub to Prime A under block 1; Now responding to rfp from Prime B under block 2 Recently, Prime B requested pricing for parts first created by us as Sub to Prime A (Our Part Numbers noted in current GVT RFP). Under Prime A, we submitted a Data Rights Assertion detailing GPR. Contractually, Prime A rec'd, (paraphrasing) 'such limited (small "l") rights as necessary...for the completion of the Prime's contract'. We clearly stated that IP (HW and tech data) resulting from the subcontract were not work product or otherwise belonging to Prime A (with the exception of reports, etc). Management has historically referred to new product created under Primes as being the Prime's product, even where we contractually state otherwise. Question: Given the info above, in particular that the current GVT RFP references our product numbers, am I missing any blatant contractual issues? It's a given that customer relationship discussions will be required with Prime A, a competitor under the RFP. Respectfully, BC
  3. Grenouille, I've attached a link to an article from NCMA Magazine: April 2017. The writer, Knob Moses, presented at NCMA's 2018 Congress. https://www.ncmahq.org/stay-informed/contract-management-magazine/contract-management-magazine---article-detail/the-robots-are-coming-driving-efficiencies-in-contracting Best, BC
  4. Section 811 of the 2018 NDAA provides a class deviation for FAR 15.408 increasing the threshold to $2m as of 01 July. This change increases the threshold for submitting certified cost or pricing data to $2m on the date of price agreement or award, whichever is later. Assuming a Prime is awarded prior to the effective date of 01 July, the Prime's contract is therefore subject to the prior threshold of $750k. Question: If a subcontractor reaches price agreement or receives award post 01 July, should the subcontractor be subject to the prior or current threshold for the requirement to submit Certified cost or pricing data? Alternatively stated, is a subcontractor subject to the mandatory flowdowns, exactly as agreed to under the Prime contract (updating of named parties notwithstanding). BC
  5. Retreadfed, with all due respect re: "..the bar for what is a commercial item is low...", I have to disagree based on current application of the regulations by a number of DoD entities. Despite the regulatory loosening, the acquisition staff managing one of the largest current contracts insists on demanding at least two true commercial invoices, not older than two years for the exact product number in order to successfully assert commerciality. These 'over the top' requests do not at all reflect the reality that DoD most often buys technology that is at least two (if not five, ten or more) years old once full rate production begins. Small and non-traditional government contractors that opt to provide and support legacy technology are then subject to onerous costing exercises that cannot accurately capture legacy iRAD costs. While DCMA has launched CID centers of excellence, Primes are still on the hook for determinations for their subs using the guidance from CO's noted above. Just wishing we all had one set of rules to work with across the board.
  6. Olga, Barring some unknown factors, the Contractor is out $1m. CPFF may be a low risk to the contractor, but, low risk assumes adequate accounting system and trained personnel to accurately accrue costs as well as make timely notification (75% burn) to the Government. In this case, Contractor is seemingly entitled to 100% of the funded value and not more. Beantown
  7. JMG, thank you. To be specific, "not awarded". Period. I've never heard of a non-award once the process has hit the Congressional Notification stage. Of course, until the fully executed contract is in hand... tx BtC
  8. Has anyone actually had or heard of a contract not awarded once at the 3 day Congressional Notification stage? Researching various sources with no luck. Not looking for details, simply yes/no. Thank you in advance. BtC
  9. Agree with sjanke, but add that NDIA has published "A study of the Applicaiblity of FAR clasues to subcontracts..." includes DFARS and NFS. Provides: Title, Citation, Mandatory/Optional notation, and Remarks. Available for sale on the NDIA website. Discount if a member. Not an end all be all, and there's no replacement for learning, I do find it to be a solid resource for both sides of subcontracts as well as a training sessions. Caveat, published in 2012.
  10. Hoping that I've just tripped upon a newbie DCMA employee, but, a recent cost proposal was kicked back by the DCMA Price Analyst because it had markings such as "NOFORN" and "Controlled Unclassified". DCMA PA stated, "our systems are not secure for acceptance of proposals with these markings." None of my circle have heard of this policy change. Before I suggest that this price analyst bring in his supervisor, I wanted to reach out in case there were facts behind the statement, even if it begs questions regarding ignoring the DD254 and/or Program Protection Guide. Has anyone heard of DCMA NOT accepting proposals marked NOFORN and/or CUI? V/R, BC
  11. Jeff, I pm'd you. I suggest you need to reach out to someone with strong trade compliance knowledge for a definitive answer. Did you receive 'verbal' from the gov't? Is there a TAA in place? Should there be? Also, suggest using hypotheticals, both internally and externally, when discussing possible violations. Might want to have 'off-line' discussions internally until you have a sollid answer. BC
  12. Bringing this string back to life, so as not to re-create, but rather expand... How about the pain felt by a small business subcontractor when proposing a Commercial Item to the Prime. Prime is rigorous (no argument here) and calls in DCMA. DCMA reviews vigorously (many hours of our staff, but that's part of the deal), and gives a blessing. The agency declines to accept DCMA approval. The agency (not just current CO) has taken the stand that any comp invoices must be no older than @2 years. (don't look for a reference in the FAR/DFAR) The insanity is that tech companies move rapidly forward in evolving products and the USG is buying the same product for upwards of 10 years due to program lifespans. If our last 'commercial' sale was 5+ years ago, that does NOT make our product any less commercial today. As mentioned above, on one hand the gov't advocates 'commercial' solutions, yet on the other is deaf to a commonsense argument. BC
  13. Posted Today, 12:56 PM It certainly seems to me that the contract clause is trumped by P.L. 96-517, the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980. Accordingly, it is a nullity when applied to universities, small businesses, or not-for-profit institutions. But then, again, I'm not a lawyer. H2H Agree w/H2H. Have been a prime w/EDU's many times with research work. Discuss thoroughly with all parties, up and downstream. Flowdown the specific subpart, and, for what it's worth, I always notify IN WRITING, the GVT Contracts lead and cc: the sponsor and /or COR. Solid communication builds longterm relationships and minimizes surprises. BC
  14. Last year's story in the Post re: Guaranteed Minimums under a GSA contract. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/exclusive-gsa-failed-to-pay-thousands-of-small-government-contractors-since-2008/2013/05/15/305c4422-bd93-11e2-9b09-1638acc3942e_story.html As to the current issue, if there is clearly a binding contractual obligation for a guaranteed minimum order or payment (perhaps included to induce sellers to undergo the proposal effort), the issuance of these payments is legally required before the contract is closed. No partials, no profit only, simply cut a payment to fulfill a contractual obligation. (Assuming the contractor was a going entity within the PoP and reasonably capable of performance). As to the practice of guaranteed minimums...IMHO, useage should be extremely limited. This minimum (by any other name) contradicts the standard (Comm or GVT) business practice of 'seller shall not be reimbursed for proposal costs'. BC
  15. 1. What is your all time favorite book? Marine! Life of Chesty Puller 2. What is your all time favorite song or album? Nine Tonight: Bob Seger 3. What is your all time favorite movie? Once upon a time in America
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