When it comes to winning a government contract, the bidding process can be fierce and competitive. But what happens when a bidder believes the process was not conducted fairly or the winning bidder was not the most qualified or lowest-priced?
That's where bid protests come in. A bid protest is a formal challenge to the terms or award of a government contract, allowing bidders and other interested parties to object to the procurement process or the selection of a winning bidder.
In this blog, we'll explore the reasons for filing a bid protest, the process for doing so, and the potential outcomes of a protest in the federal contracting arena.
Contracting is a complicated process. It takes time, effort, and resources to get it right. But one of the best ways to make sure you have all the information you need is by participating in post-award debriefings in federal contracting.
Cybersecurity is a major issue for the Department of Defense and federal contractors. In an effort to streamline the certification process and ensure that cybersecurity measures are being implemented correctly, the U.S. Department of Defense has created a model called Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
When it comes to business events, conferences and trade shows are fantastic for any organization. Whether hosting a virtual event or joining one yourself, you want to put your best foot forward. They’re some of the best places to expose people to what your brand truly is.
As a federal contractor or an aspiring one, you have probably heard the words “Federal Fiscal Calendar” floating around. You may be wondering why this matters to you or what real effects it has on contractors.
Utilizing our over ten years of experience, we’ll break down why you should care about the federal fiscal calendar and how it will affect your business as a contractor.
Imagine you are running your own business.
You’re working 50-60+ hours a week, managing a team, developing a customer base, and now you are trying to get into the federal marketplace.
You find out that anyone looking to solicit government contracts will need a capabilities statement. A one- or two-page document that provides a basic outline of your company and shows why you are capable of solving their problems.
Does this sound familiar?
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness as of July 2023.
The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) lay the groundwork for how government solicitations and contracts are put together. And while it's true that the FAR is mainly written with government officials in mind - the ones crafting the contracts - it's a mistake for businesses to gloss over them.
After all, these regulations aren't just about compliance. Having a firm grasp of the FAR can tilt the scales in your favor in government contracting.
This is your ultimate (and quick) guide to approaching the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Here, we are going to cover the following:
- What is the FAR?
- How is the FAR broken down?
- Key Sections for Contractors.
In any system, communication is key. The same applies to when businesses contract with the federal government. For this blog post, we're going to cover points of contact. Without a firm understanding of this concept, you will be at a disadvantage in the federal marketplace.
In the first quarter of the fiscal year, the Pentagon awarded Microsoft its prestigious $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract.
For now.
That's because if you've been reading up on this contract, you would know it was riddled with disputes. One of which was a bid protest made by Oracle Corporation. Then, right after Microsoft was awarded, Amazon Web Services was expected to file one as well.
This blog post will give you a rundown on bid protests.
We are going to answer the following:
- What is a bid protest?
- Why are bid protests filed?
- Where do I file a bid protest?
- How should I approach bid protests?
Let's begin.
