Summer is winding down and the proposal activity is picking up. Studies have shown that taking time off can contribute to an increase in productivity and creativity. However, many of us continue to check our emails while on the beach or at dinner. If you plan your vacation correctly you can come [...]
As guardian of the nation’s inventions and innovations, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is entrusted with keeping the cutting edge of America’s technological progress and achievement razor sharp. WHO PUT THE SCOTCH IN SCOTCH TAPE? -- Richard Drew of 3M Co. invented cellophane adhesive tape in 1930. Legend has [...]
Gary Everett Evaluators can be afraid of their failure as well as the contractor, and both are motivating factors for them. Contractors need to consider and write to evaluators’ emotions, fears, biases and feelings as well as to the facts. A good proposal will include meeting these key Evaluator sell points checklist: [...]
Judy Brandt and Bill Jaffe While the White House has proposed spending cuts in every agency except DHS, DoD and VA, Congress is pushing back hard. That means federal buyers are uncertain about what FY18 will bring…and are eager to spend every last dollar they have in the current year’s budget! So [...]
Supporters of US foreign aid programs are well practiced at the art of persevering in the face of criticism they have received for decades. These programs are now facing significant funding cuts. Especially during this period of financial distress, USAID will have to deal with a contentious political environment. As detailed below, [...]
Give Me My Favorite Dish: FISH! -- Fish supply the greatest percentage of the world's protein consumed by humans. The next piece of the $3B NOAA PRO-TECH behemoth is nearly upon us. There is confidence the Enterprise Operations Domain – administrative services – RFP will come out on or near the [...]
Firing and Maneuvering The $5B Global Tactical Advanced Communications Systems and Services (GTACS II) program has now joined the army of contracts that are in retreat. The RFP drop date for this program has moved to 2018. Winging Their Way to Victory – Carrier Pigeon G.I. Joe, was awarded the Dickin Medal [...]
Russell Smith and Lee Cooper During the past 30 years, we have frequently been asked, “how much does it cost to prepare a proposal?” Back in the day, the generalization was often made that proposal prep costs 2% of the contract value. However, RFP requirements and contractor cost recovery approaches vary so [...]
The Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC), has a sizable brain power requirement for its DoD Information Analysis Centers (IAC). It’s calling upon contractors to provide it. And there is no telling what great stuff the geniuses put to work under this effort will come up with. Two separate RFI’s [...]
As guardian of the nation’s intellectual property, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) plays a key role in fostering America’s commercial vitality. The USPTO oversees the entire US patent operation; acting as the economy’s immune system, it prevents pirated products and processes from undermining the innovations and inventions that make America [...]
