Jan 2009 - Feb 2009   Volume 5, Issue 1

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According to a report in Washington Technology, "the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working out details for a small-business version of its department-wide information technology contract, the Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading Edge Solutions (EAGLE) contract."

Though anticipated to be similar to the current EAGLE contract, the new contract will be called EAGLE II and is expected to have functional area set-asides for various set-aside companies, such as SDVOB, 8(a), and HUBZones. The focus on small business seems fitting given news that DHS is having some problems in meeting its small business goals. According to an article in Washington Technology, the following was reported:

"Departmental leadership is paying attention to small-business contracting set-asides, officials said. Tom Essig, DHS' chief procurement officer, has sent memos throughout the department to help DHS' agencies find ways to reach their annual small-business contracting goals. "We don't put the goals in place and then ignore them," Essig said.

In fiscal 2007, DHS reached four of five small-business contract goals. However, it failed to contract enough with service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses, according to figures from federal agencies. DHS had a goal of awarding 3 percent of its contracting dollars for that category of businesses. However, it only awarded 1.36 percent in fiscal 2007 - a slight decrease even from fiscal 2006, when it awarded 1.53 percent to veterans' businesses."

While the agency is still developing the EAGLE II contract, it is believed that a request for information (RFI) will be released in early 2009. Interested bidders should be on the lookout for this exciting new opportunity. Also, please keep in mind that Global Services' proposal development team can work with you to enhance your EAGLE II bid - call us today for more details.
 

The General Services Administration finished awarding the Alliant Small Business contract on December 18, 2008, while waiting to announce awards for the large business Alliant GWAC until a little later in 2009. GSA awarded a total of 72 small business awards which was ten more than the 62 originally awarded. It has been a year since the original awards were announced and then pulled back due to protests.

According to a recent article in Washington Technology, "Mary Powers-King, GSA's Director of Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), said the agency has completed its reevaluations of bids from small businesses competing for spots on the 10-year, $15 billion Alliant Small Business GWAC. For the 10-year, $50 billion Alliant GWAC, GSA said it has completed the technical and cost/price reevaluations of companies' bids based on recommendations and findings of the U.S. Federal Claims Court, which in March overturned GSA's original Alliant contract awards."

On the small business side the GSA now needs to make sure that all of the awardees are still a small business at this point in time. They are also now planning discussions with potential awardees on the large business Alliant contract in order to make best value decisions.

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Global Services Wishes You All The Best in 2009!!!

Global Services provides valuable expertise in federal contracting and sales issues. If you are holding an event and would like Global Services to participate, please contact us at global@globalservicesinc.com or 202-234-8933.

Keep us in mind for help with your government contracts.

1401 14th Street, NW
Third Floor
Washington, DC 20005

202-234-8933 phone
202-234-8935 fax
global@globalservicesinc.com
www.globalservicesinc.com 
 

Newsflash

Amtower Off Center, hosted by Mark Amtower, is a wonderful resource for those already familiar with government contracting, and those looking to get started. Amtower Off Center can be heard on WFED 1500AM Federal News Radio, Mondays at 12:00pm.
 

Client Corner

What are considered "best practices" when developing a proposal review process for my company?
 
Proposal reviews are an extremely important part of any proposal development process. Your internal processes should be iterative and consistent to ensure that all of your proposal team members understand the role of the review process and to ensure the maximum value of your reviews.

As for the "best practices", you should at least consider the following:

1. A winning proposal, large or small, requires various, repetitive reviews at various stages of the proposal development process
2. The more critical the proposal - the more extensive the reviews
3. Senior management as well as other company principals should be involved in the review process
4. Seek assistance from a proposal development expert outside of your company that can provide you with "fresh eyes", as well as a fresh perspective on your proposal.

Type of reviews that you should incorporate into your process, include:

*Win Strategy Review - examine the opportunity, win themes, proposal messages
*Storyboard Review - examine win themes and ensure that proposal messages are well established with past performance proofs
*Red Team Review - ensure that you and your team are going in the right direction, i.e. compliant, right message, right proofs. This is your opportunity to catch major flaws in the proposal and repair them.
*Blue Team Review - ensure full compliance with the RFP and win themes, proposal messages are clear and on target, proofs are relevant and verifiable
*Cost Review - ensure compliance with Section B and C. Also, ensure that you can afford to win and make a profit.
 

February 13, 2009
Washington, DC Chapter of SCORE presents "Business Development in the Federal Sector." This course is from 9:30 AM to Noon. Please contact SCORE at www.scoredc.org or 202-2720390.

February 20, 2008
Washington, DC Chapter of SCORE presents "GSA Schedules 101." This course is from 9:30AM to Noon. Please contact SCORE at www.scoredc.org or 202-272-0390.

March 12, 2008
Global Services presents our GSA Schedule Post-Award Training Seminar: "Staying Compliant and Making Your GSA Contract Work" This course is from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and will be held in our offices at 1401 14th, Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC, 20005. Please click here to register or call 202-234-8933. Space is extremely limited, so register today.

March 13, 2009
Washington, DC Chapter of SCORE presents "Preparing a Winning Federal Proposal," This course is from 9:30 AM to Noon. Please contact SCORE at www.scoredc.org or 202-272-0390.
 

www.globalservicesinc.com