By Kimberly Eaglin, 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, I describedRead… Read more »
Reforming procurement has been an on-going topic for years and even decades. Through some of these ‘reform’ efforts, we typically end up with some legislation or initiatives led out of the White House. In spite of some successes, we seem to end up having an endless debate about reform. Part of the issue is thatRead… Read more »
In 2003, I had a single-minded focus, get my drivers license. Like most 16 year olds, getting my license meant freedom, and I was ready to take any measure necessary to achieve the open road. But one thing stood in my way, the dreaded DMV. I can remember vividly waiting in line for over fourRead… Read more »
While contract oversight and transparency is a lofty goal, some folks would rather avoid it. Here is my top ten list of how to avoid contract oversight: Keep contract documents in paper files, preferably in piles on your desk. Purge your email frequently and (accidentally) delete contract files. Don’t keep a record of your communicationsRead… Read more »
Mobile technologies are rapidly transforming nearly every aspect of our personal and professional lives. In fact, the proliferation of social media seems impossible without the widespread use of mobile devices. Meanwhile, companies are discovering cost efficiencies and flexibility of access – through tablets and smartphones – by moving their entire business operations to the cloud.Read… Read more »
By Kimberly Eaglin 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 wasRead… Read more »
Hiring is one of the biggest challenges in government. Getting the right people in the right position is key for an effective government. Just as hiring the right NIH scientist is key to curing disease so too is hiring the right procurement official. However, well-trained procurement officials are hard to find and the lack ofRead… Read more »
Healthcare.gov has been a massive contracting challenge from the onset. What went wrong? “Contractors have pointed the finger at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, citing insufficient guidance, inadequate resources, a lack of authority to lead the project and changes requested a month before the site went live. In testimony to the House CommitteeRead… Read more »
Getting a government job can seem like an uphill battle and the application process can be brutal and bureaucratic. But now the people at Vision Internet have created a tool to help streamline the process for local governments. Ashley Fruechting the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Vision Internet. She told me during GovLoop’s State andRead… Read more »
Unless you fully grasp your buyer , and their motivations, then you may struggle to sale to them. This holds true in the federal market. Contracting Officers and Procurement Specialists follow the greatest rulebook ever when it comes to procurement guidelines. There is seriously so much “Red Tape” that I am now amazed that theRead… Read more »