Market*Access International - Fed Govt Contracting

February 14-17, 2005
NRECA Executive Conference Center
Arlington, Virginia

NOTE: On-line registrations for this workshop are now closed. Space is available for walk in registrants. To register the day of the conference, please bring your payment and the attached registration form.

This four-day course covers the key elements of the entire federal government contracting process. Introduction to Federal Government Contracting is designed to provide those new to government contracts (or those looking for a basic refresher) with an understanding of the entire government contracting process. By providing this framework, you will be able to understand how your work relates to the overall process and will be able to more easily move into other areas of responsibility.

Starting with a general overview, Introduction to Federal Government Contracting will address requirements definition, competition requirements, types of contracts, market research, performance-based contracting, acquisition planning and protests. It will also cover the various procurement methods available, including sealed bidding, negotiated procurements, simplified acquisitions and commercial item acquisitions. Finally, various aspects of contract administration will be covered, such as contract changes, cost allowability, inspections, terminations and claims.

You will gain a practical understanding of each of the topics covered and will be better able to protect your contractual rights. This course is intended for personnel directly involved in the federal government contracting process, whether as government employees, contractors or subcontractors. The key points will be reinforced with case studies and practical exercises so you can develop and refine your skills. You'll receive a comprehensive course manual that will serve as a valuable desk reference long after the class is over!

1. Overview
a. What We Will Cover
b. Definitions
c. Regulations
d. Key Steps in the Federal Contracting Process
e. How Federal Government Contracting and Commercial Contracting Differ
f. Authority to Contract
g. Current Acquisition Environment

2. Types of Contracts
a. Overview
b. How to Select the Appropriate Contract Type
c. Fixed-Price and Cost Reimbursement Contracts
d. Level-of-Effort Contracts
e. Indefinite Delivery Contracts
f. Letter Contracts
g. Options

3. Competition
a. Competition Requirements
b. Exceptions to the Competition Requirements
c. Implementation of the Competition Requirements
d. Practices That Restrict Competition
e. Publicizing Contract Actions

4. Sealed Bidding
a. Overview of the Sealed Bidding Process
b. Preparation of the Invitation for Bids (IFB)
c. Release of the IFB
d. Submission of Bids
e. Evaluation of Bids
f. Award of the Contract

5. Negotiated Contracting Procedures
a. Overview
b. When to Use Negotiated Contracting Procedures
c. Developing the Request for Proposals (RFP)
d. Drafting Evaluation Criteria
e. Award Without Discussions
f. Draft RFPs
g. Cancellation of the RFP
h. Submission and Evaluation of Proposals
i. Setting the Competitive Range’
j. Conducting Meaningful Discussions
k. Final Proposal Revisions
l. Award and Debriefings

6. Simplified Acquisition Procedures
a. When to Use Simplified Acquisition Procedures
b. Simplified Acquisition Requirements
c. Simplified Acquisition Procedures

7. Commercial Item Acquisitions
a. Overview
b. Commercial Item Definitions
c. The Federal Supply Schedule
d. Commercial Item Contracting Procedures
e. Commercial Item Clauses

8. Socioeconomic Policies and Requirements
a. Small Business Policy
b. Responsibility Determinations
c. Small Business Set-Asides
d. Small Business Programs
e. The Buy American Act

9. Protests
a. Introduction to Protests
b. Agency Protests
c. General Accountability Office Protests

10. Costs
a. General Overview
b. Cost Allowability
c. Specific FAR Cost Principles
d. The Truth In Negotiations Act
e. Cost Accounting Standards

11. Contract Changes
a. Formal Contract Changes
b. Coverage of the Changes Clause
c. Constructive Changes
d. Contract Interpretation
e. Types of Constructive Changes

12. Inspections and Warranties
a. Goals of the Inspection Process
b. Inspection and Testing
c. Government Remedies Under the Inspection Clauses
d. Strict vs. Substantial Compliance
e. Inspection Lessons Learned
f. Acceptance
g. Warranties

13. Equitable Adjustments
a. Overview
b. Measuring the Adjustment
c. Methods of Proving the Adjustment Amount
d. Advanced Topics

14. Terminations for Convenience
a. Nature of Convenience Termination
b. The Government’s Right to Terminate for Convenience
c. Termination Procedures
d. Convenience Termination Settlements

15. Terminations for Default
a. Overview
b. The Government’s Right to Terminate for Default
c. Grounds for Default Termination
d. Notice Requirements
e. Contractor Defenses to Termination for Default
f. The Contracting Officer’s Decision
g. Rights and Liabilities After Termination for Default

16. The Disputes Process
a. Overview
b. The Disputes Clause
c. Contractor Claims
d. Elements of a Claim
e. Government Claims
f. The Contracting Officer’s Final Decision
g. Appeals to the Boards of Contract Appeals

Steven N. Tomanelli owns an acquisition training and consulting company, Steven N. Tomanelli & Associates, a ten-year old professional services company with a proven track record of performance. Mr. Tomanelli offers high quality acquisition training and consulting services to public and private sector customers worldwide as well as a wealth of practical experience and has consistently achieved the very highest levels of customer satisfaction.

Mr. Tomanelli has authored over 35 coursebooks on federal procurement and fiscal law, including A Practical Guide to Federal Appropriations Law (MCI, 2003), Evaluating and Managing Performance-Based Contracts (Federal Publications Seminars), Performance-Based Contracting Workshop (Federal Publications Seminars), Basics of Commercial Contracting (Federal Publications Seminars), Basics of Government Contracting (Federal Publications Seminars), Advanced Source Selection (ESI International), Task Order Contracting (ESI International), and many others.

Mr. Tomanelli served as Chief, Acquisition and Fiscal Law, Air Mobility Command for several years where he provided senior management oversight and policy guidance for attorneys at fourteen Air Force bases nationwide. He served as program attorney for several large software development and transportation services contracts and provided legal advice on a broad spectrum of acquisition and appropriations law issues, including protests, A-76 actions, privatization, source selections and the Antideficiency Act.

An attorney in good standing of the New York State and Florida Bars, Mr. Tomanelli serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Government Contractor (West Publishing Co.), is a designated speaker at for the National Contract Management Association and is a member of the American Bar Associations Public Contract Law Section. He received his Master of Laws (LL.M. in Federal Procurement Law) from George Washington University, his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and B.A. from Hofstra University.

“Cannot say enough about the instructor- he is phenomenal!” – William E. Gregg III, Business Management Specialist for Acquisition, US Army- Office of PM Close Combat Systems

“Instructor was best I’ve had.”– Ruth A. Blessing, Business Mgmt Specialist, Acq., US Army, Project Manager Small Combat Systems, Picatinny

“Mr. Tomanelli brings a perfect mix of extensive knowledge and practical experience with an engaging presentation style.” – Julia Hanft, General Counsel, GlobeComm Systems, Inc.

Registrations are payable by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, company check or government purchase order.

CANCELLATION POLICY: You may designate a substitute in writing any time before the conference. If you need to cancel your registration, you must send your notice in writing and will be subject to a $50 processing fee. No refunds are given for cancellations received 48 hours prior to the conference start date or later.

This workshop will be held at the NRECA (National Rural Electric Coop Assn) Headquarters Building, Executive Conference Center (Main Floor) at 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203

Do you need a place to stay while you're attending the course? Here are some nearby hotels.

Market*Access can provide government contract training, wherever and whenever you need, including on-site at your facility. Our staff will cost-effectively implement training customized to your needs.

To schedule a private workshop or for more information, e-mail Laura Johnson, Director of Conferences & Strategic Planning, at ljohnson@marketaccess.org or call (703) 807-2747.

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Market*Access International, Inc.
4301 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 1003
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 807-2753

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Do you need a place to stay while you're attending the course? Here are some nearby hotels.

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