Chris Hamm

I would normally list “Communication” five times in a row here (for emphasis)

• Communication – # 1 every time. Project Managers communicate infrequently, pushing information only when it is ready, only in one channel (e.g., email blasts). Communication should be frequent, multi-channel, and participatory.
• Stakeholder Engagement – lack of…

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Hi John,

If a candidate had an existing FAC-P/PM certification, I would see it as a plus. I do not think that these certifications have crept into job vacancy announcements yet, but I do see a day where it is equivalent to FAC-C or DAWIA.

GSA FEDSIM has committed fully to FAC-PPM. Mandatory for all project managers. Senior Expert for all GS-14 PMs.

The key language seems to be in the GAO Redbook, Chapter 4, Section 5: Entertainment—Recreation—Morale
and Welfare:
The concept to be explored in this section is the rule that appropriatedfunds may not be used for entertainment except when specificallyauthorized by statute and also authorized or approved by properadministrative officers. E.g., 69…[Read more]

@Angel – can you give me a little more specificity on where in GAO case law or Redbook?

Hi Candace.

It really depends on your contract type. Certain contract types allow for more financial incentives and disincentives (FPIF, FPAF, CPIF, CPAF) than others (FFP, T&M, CPFF). I have a strong preference for financial incentives tied to service level agreements. My ideal project design has recurring, operations and maintenance tasks as…[Read more]

My main point is that the best strategy is not to ask other agency contract specialists and KOs only. To do so implies that they have dominion over contract cost growth, and I do not think that they do without a partnership with the program/mission folks.

Think of it like a marriage. Mom owns the checkbook, but Dad keeps spending. You need…[Read more]

Strong, integrated program management. It strikes me as an incomplete solution to task the 1102 to tackle the problem of cost growth without including the program/mission side in the dialogue.

We have been looking into it. We have clients with locations worldwide, so it would be easier for us to do something online than fly our clients and contractors all over the map.

Skype was ruled out because of their terms of service. We are looking at “webex” right now, as GSA is building an infrastructure for it this year. We still have a…[Read more]

Hello Natia,

If they do end up offering this benefit, a word of advice:

Before signing, be sure that you understand the tax implications. I applied for student loan repayment a few years ago and was shocked to find that the federal government taxes it’s own benefit. So if you get $10,000 that year, that amount is considered income. Uncle…[Read more]

Whether it is intentional or not, nearly every revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulations drive the process to be more complex. The first version of the FAR was thinner than it is now, not to mention the agency specific supplements and case law (stemming from the multitude of protests). Add to that an army of oversight in the form of auditors…[Read more]

Actually, I would say the wiki is more likely to drive a better requirement, but possibly at the cost of a longer procurement lead time. We are still in the norming phase with using a wiki. The acquisition workforce is comfortable with Microsoft Word (track changes, insert comments, etc.), not with editing websites. Using a wiki forces a change in…[Read more]

I take exception to the question “is Faster Really Better”.

The fact that federal acquisition is slow / onerous is actually part of the design. Purchasing decisions are based on a massive rule book intentionally. The individuals that make the purchase decisions have far different motivations and reward systems than the individuals requesting the…[Read more]

My office did something years ago that works wonders. We tore down the wall between the PMs and COs. Literally. We removed a wall. Having the two groups in the same office on the same floor works wonders for communication and relationships. It created a shared sense of mission, and allowed casual conversation to resolve misunderstandings.…[Read more]

I know of two good ones.

GSA has a class of interns (20+) every year. They are recruiting now for the intern program that starts this summer. The Office of Administration runs the program. Give Jennie Liming a call at (703) 605-2785.

VA also has a program. It is more like a 2 year “university” for acquisition. It sounds really impressive. http://…[Read more]

The last three days have been interesting.

My office put telework agreements in place several years ago, and we built our systems to be accessible through VPN software. As such, when we saw the forecast, every employee was contacted last week and instructed to take their laptop home and told to telework in event of a Government closure. The cost…[Read more]

Working. My office is set up to access all of our systems from anywhere. We encourage everyone to telework routinely, and the ‘downside’ to that is we stay open when the Government closes.