Acquisition

Characteristics Female Voters Find Attractive in Male Candidates Running For Local Public Offices

A study conducted by the Association of Women Voters of America {AWVA} in 2012 revealed there are several characteristics female voters find attractive in male candidates running for local public offices {i.e. County Boards, City Councils, School Boards, Township Offices, Village Boards, Parishes and Boroughs etc.}. The characteristics that seem to attract to women votersRead… Read more »

Estimating the Cost of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementation

Many government agencies are using Microsoft Dynamics CRM to build line of business solutions using an approach that Microsoft calls xRM. One of the challenges is to calculate the cost of such an implementation. One of the questions I am asked most frequently by clients is to estimate the cost of a software implementation project.Read… Read more »

Smoother Acquisition Sailing – An Argument for Increased Communication

Article By John Coombs, Fellow, CFCM, DAWIA III On a trip to San Diego I watched a Navy destroyer slip quietly under the Coronado Bridge. I remembered a phrase I’ve repeated many times throughout my career as a procurement leader and manager: “Don’t try to dial up an aircraft carrier in port to the perfectRead… Read more »

Buy outcomes, not output

There a couple of things you need to think about before you buy consulting services, management consulting, or any of the types of services where you’re looking for a unique perspective or insight, the benefit of experience, and a fresh view on things. Anytime you’re looking for something that’s going to end in real changeRead… Read more »

Is your program/agency on GAO’s High Risk List

What is the high risk list? Beginning in 1990 the Government Accountability Office started putting together a list of programs that were most vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, mis-management and the need for fundamental transformation. The GAO produces the list every two years to help Congress and the Executive Branch set priorities on high riskRead… Read more »

Shared Services: DHS Tests Multi-Band Radio Solution for First Responders

Breakdowns in communications are hurting first responders. And one of the reasons for the communications breakdown is that their radio’s aren’t on the same bandwidth. That means that during an emergency firefighters can’t talk to EMS or law enforcement on their radios. It slows down reaction time and operability. The solution seems simple, give everyoneRead… Read more »

Thought No. 3: ODCs in 2013!(?)

Thirteen Thoughts for 2013 continues this week with Thought No. 3: ODCs in 2013!(?) As you know, throughout the last year the Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement (the Coalition) has highlighted the fundamental value to customer agencies of the inclusion of ODCs and materials (at cost) in Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts. TheRead… Read more »

NCMA DC Chapter Speed Mentoring Event – February 28, 2013

REGISTER AT THE LINK BELOW: http://www.ncmadc.net/events/?regevent_action=register&event_id=30&name_of_event=Speed+Mentoring+&Networking_Event “What advice do you have for new contracting professionals?” “What type of training are leaders recommending for career development?” “How do I handle making a mistake?” These are just some of the questions and concerns that are on the minds of many of today’s acquisition professionals. In response, theRead… Read more »