Assignments: Principles of Federal Acquisition and Contract Management
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Describe the nature of government contracting, including authority, responsibilities, and legal considerations.
2. Explain the government acquisition process using sealed bidding, negotiations, and alternative contracting methods.
3. Interpret the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to determine requirements and resolve issues.
4. Describe the various types of contracts and considerations for their use.
5. Outline and explain the process for developing competitive proposals and source selection.
6. Explain the process for administering and evaluating contract performance.
7. Explain the various mechanisms for contract closeout.
8. Use technology and information resources to research issues in federal acquisition and contract management.
9. Write clearly and concisely about federal acquisition and contract management using proper writing mechanics.
Assignment 1: Small-Business Opportunities with the Navy
Imagine that you are the owner of a small floor refinishing business that provides a specialty coatingproductfor ceramic tile and marble floors. There isno other local flooring business that provides this service. Having recently received a patent on your product, you are ready to expand your business by competing for Navy contracts at the local base, which is located a few miles away. The service you want to sell is the specialty coating, the application of the coating, and a regular maintenance schedule. Your company consists of you, one office assistant, and two production employees.
Note: You will be referencing this business throughout all five assignments for this course. Please use "First Name, Last Name, Inc." as the name of your company throughout these assignments.
Write a two to three page paper in which you:
1. Develop your company's acquisition and planning strategy for obtaining a contract.
2. Analyzethe manner in which utilizing SmartPay or a similar program in electronic contracting will assist your company and the Navy. Provide a rationale for your response.
3. Use at least three quality references Note: Wikipedia and other related websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment mustfollow these formatting requirements:
• Be typed, doublespaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date.The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Assignment 2: Bidding on a Contract with the Navy
Based on the same scenario as in Assignment 1, imagine that you have received a Request for Proposal (RFP). You also find out through a reliable source that a local competitor has also received an RFP for a similar type of product and service. Due to this, you will be required to negotiate the contract, and will need to consider the contract specifics.
Write a two to three page paper in which you:
1. Suggest three ways in which the basic concepts of the FAR Policy would mutually benefit your small business and the Navy.
2. Determine the method that you will use for solicitation of a bid. Next, explain why the Navy is likely to choose your company in the sealed-bidding process.
3. Use at least three quality references Note: Wikipedia and other related websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment mustfollow these formatting requirements:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Assignment 3: Acquiring a Contract with the Navy
Based on the same scenario as in Assignments 1 and 2, you are ready to begin considering the factors needed for your proposal. Remember that another local competitor intends to submit a proposal as well.
Before beginning this assignment, review FAR Subpart 19.5-Set-Asides for Small Business.
Additional factors to consider are:
1. Both your company and your competitor's company will qualify under the HUBZone Act (FAR 19.5).
2. Based upon the scope of work required, your initial estimates for the contract will exceed $150,000.Therefore, you are willing to offer incentives to the Navy.
3. Your competitor intends to submit a proposal for a one year contract.
Write a six to eight page paper in which you:
1. Examine two reasons why your business would qualify under the basic concepts of the HUBZone Set-Aside Procedures.Provide a rationale for your response.
2. Analyze the primary way(s) in which a multiyear contract would benefit both the Navy and your business.
3. Determine whether your bid proposal should be based on a fixed-price, a cost-reimbursement, or a time-and-materials type of contract. Provide a rationale for your response.
4. Determine the category of incentives that you are willing to offer(i.e., cost, schedule, or performance). Provide a rationale for your response.
5. Determine whether your bid proposal should be a technical, management, or cost proposal. Provide a rationale for your response.
6. Speculate on five potential risk factors that you will need to consider if your company is awarded the contract. Provide a rationale for your response.
7. Use at least three quality references Note: Wikipedia and other related websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Assignment 4: Negotiating a Contractwith the Navy
Based on the same scenario as in Assignments 1, 2,and 3, you are now considering additional factors needed for your proposal based on RFP, where another local competitor intends to submit a proposal.
Additional factors to consider are:
1. Although you have always built in a profit margin of ten percent for commercial flooring jobs, you are willing to consider a lesser profit margin in this case in order to win the contract.
2. The Navy's Contract Administration Officer is known to be a smart, tough negotiator.
Write a two to three page paper in which you:
1. Determine two potential profit objectives that you will consider for accepting a less than normal profit margin if you win the contract. Provide a rationale for your response.
2. Determine two to three negotiation strategies or tactics that you feel would be effective for winning the contract. Provide a rationale for your response.
3. Use at least three quality references Note: Wikipedia and other related websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Assignment 5: Contract Cost and Documentation for the Navy
Based on the same scenario as in Assignments 1, 2, 3 and 4, you are now considering the final factors needed for your proposal based on RFP.
Additional factors to consider are:
1. The other local competitor has removed their name from consideration and has requested to become your company's sub-contractor due to your company's patent on the specialty coating.
2. Your existing floor equipment is dated. However, you have learned that the Navy base has floor equipment which is not currently being used.
Write a six to eight page paper in which you:
1. Determine the payment type (i.e., receiving progress payments, performance-based payments, or partial payments) you will use in your bid. Provide a rationale for your response.
2. Determine the approach and the key terms that you would consider in requesting the use of the Navy's floor equipment. Provide a rationale for your response.
3. Propose the quality control and inspection procedures that you believe should be included in your proposal. Provide a rationale for your response.
4. Determine, because of your company's private patent on the specialty floor coating, whether the Navy would or would not have a patent infringement objection for the use of the coating. Provide a rationale for your response.
5. Determine the mechanism for contract closeout your company would use with the Navy. Provide a rationale for your response.
6. Use at least three quality references Note: Wikipedia and other related websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.