Integrity

Use CPARS to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Have you ever stopped to consider the importance of the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and how top management in both Government and Industry can use the evaluations to make strategic business decisions?  The FAR requires CPARS evaluations but government auditors have reported that they’re not always done on time or with enough detail.  …

The Effect of Quality Control on Customer Satisfaction – Part II

As customers we expect high quality.  It’s an expectation we should all keep in mind when the tables are turned and we’re providing a product or service.  High quality equals higher customer satisfaction and a greater chance of continued partnership. In Part I of my blog on Effective Quality Control to Support Your Customer, I …

Effective Quality Control to Support Your Customer

When you decide to purchase a certain product or pay for a needed service, it is your expectation that you will receive something of value and of good quality.    When quality is not up to par, think about how it makes you feel.  I have been places where my first visit was my last due …

Is It Time to Professionalize Contract Management?

It’s the problem that won’t seem to go away:  for decades, government agencies, academics and industry associations have identified a lack of expertise and training among acquisition personnel as a key challenge for the acquisition workforce. Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, acknowledged the problem, adding a new goal to …

The Struggle With the Juggle: How to Master the Trick of Contract Transition

Integrity Management Consulting and GovLoop are proud to present a 12-part series called “Conscientious Contracting: A Thoughtful Approach to Acquisition and Program Management,” that aims to address common challenges and achieve new efficiencies in government procurement.  Integrity Matters will bring you occasional posts written by GovLoop’s Andrew Krzmarzick, featuring the expertise of Integrity subject matter experts and other professionals in acquisition. …

Cloud or Cloudy? Government’s Transition to Cloud Offerings

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has required Federal agencies to adopt a “Cloud First” approach to evaluating options for new IT deployments.  This was born out of the 25 Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal Information Technology Management by Vivek Kundra, who was the US Chief Information Officer at the time this report …

Avoid Risk by Using Solicitation/Contract Templates

Imagine this scenario. Your acquisition lead time is quickly slipping. Time is running short to develop your solicitation documents, which could jeopardize meeting the target project completion date. What do you do? It’s likely that you don’t start entirely from scratch on a completely blank page. Do you pull the last electronic version of the …

Successfully Quarterbacking Government Contract Closeout Files

Imagine a college football game day – large crowds of fans, student colors, marching bands, and the cacophony of noise. Once the last touchdown is scored and the crowds leave, the crew that remains behind has the important job of ensuring things are brought to a close and all is in place. Representatives who contribute …

Does Your Organization’s Roadmap Have Enough Intersections?

In this time of tight budgets and mandates to do more or the same with less, the need for innovation is greater than ever.   This is the case wherever you add value to your organization, including acquisition. Frans Johansson, author of The Medici Effect, talks about intersections as “the place that ideas from different groups …

Four Ways One Agency Recognizes that CORs Matter

Recently I wrote an article about the significant role that Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) play in the acquisition process flow.  In “Do COR’s Matter in Your Agency? Why they Should,” I advocated the importance of reassuring CORs that they are a valuable force within acquisition teams.  This blog generated some really positive conversations, including with …