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Federal Acquisition Regulation in Plain English: 700+ Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the FAR and Government Contracts
Government contracting can be complex and difficult, but this introductory guide makes it simple and easy for you. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in Plain English provides answers to 700+ of your frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the FAR. Federal contractors, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and other professionals interested in the largest client in the history of the world-- the United States federal government-- need a copy of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in Plain English on their bookshelf. The second book in The Government Contracts in Plain English Series!Save time by reading the "highlight reel" of the FAR, curated by a nationally recognized expert in government contracting, and the author of the best-selling companion book, Government Contracts in Plain English. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in Plain English delivers practical advice in plain English that demystifies the most important regulation in the federal contracting industry-- the dreaded FAR.In a conversational, question-and-answer format, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in Plain English lets you skip reading thousands of pages of complicated regulations. Instead, dive into the "highlight reel" of the FAR.Special topics include how to research any FAR clause, the secret code of the FAR clause numbering system, clause prescriptions, subcontracts, small business set-asides, GSA Schedule contracts, bid protests, REA vs. claim, terminations for convenience, sole-source justifications, and more.All 53 parts of the FAR are distilled into plain English, answering 700+ of the most common questions.Author Christoph Mlinarchik is a former federal contracting officer who has negotiated, reviewed, or managed billions of dollars of government contracts. This real-world experience provides an invaluable perspective for clients.As an attorney, professional instructor, consultant, expert witness, frequent public speaker, nationally recognized subject matter expert (SME), and prolific author of 75+ publications about government contracts, Christoph was honored with the "Top Professionals Under 40" award and "Best Article of the Year" award by National Contract Management Association (NCMA).In addition to his prior federal employment as both a contracting officer and Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) acquisitions attorney, Christoph is the founder of a successful small business in government contracting, Christoph LLC dot com.Christoph LLC provides consulting advice and professional training to small and large businesses in a wide variety of industries, including information technology (IT), professional services, defense, cybersecurity, construction, medical, intelligence, national security, research and development, and software.Christoph LLC also provides expert witness services, as Christoph is an experienced expert witness who has provided expert opinions and reports, research concerning damages, key findings, and case strategy for complex government contracts litigation.Christoph has taught or trained 1000+ federal, military, and contractor professionals nationwide—from novices to C-level executives. Businesses and individuals rely on Christoph’s expertise to navigate the complexities of the federal contracting marketplace. Contracts managers, attorneys, chief executive officers, program managers, sales directors, business capture and proposal experts, and other contracts professionals consistently provide outstanding reviews for Christoph’s consulting expertise, teaching skills, presentation style, and client satisfaction.Visit Christoph LLC dot com to sign up for free, monthly updates about government contracts.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2021
49 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 29, 2023
This is a frankly absurd book. In the first 20 pages the author must cite his website or email 20 times. The book makes no bones about being an advertisement for the author's consulting service. It's FAQs are intended for people actually competing for government contracts. Perhaps because of all of that, I feel I understand that actual process of government procurement better after this book than any other book I've read.
From the FAR Part 12 commercial contract program, which requires a "determination and finings" or "commerciality determination memo" that a contract officer must issue before going the accelerated commercial route (which has a $7.5 million threshold); to the Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) of $250,000, which means that contracts are reserved for small businesses by default but which also means they do not require formal evaluation plans or debriefings; to the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) which is like the Yelp for federal agencies looking at potential contractors; this book explains how the $600 billion plus in federal procurement money is actually allocated and spent.
There are lessons here about the strangeness of how bureaucracy intersects with private business. For one, in private business a cost-reimbursement contract would be wonderful because it saves a contractor the risk and guarantees benefits, but since in the government it requires the "dreaded Cost Accounting Standards or CAS" it in facts means only large companies can afford the accounting costs of winning them. Sometimes the government allows sole source awards, but the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) means that if you get one you have to disclose all of your cost and pricing data, which gives the government a real advantage in negotiation, and, if the certified cost data is wrong, the government can claw back money or subject you to false claims suits. The book also makes clear that information is king. If your company files FOIAs to get info on competitors, that's OK, or a debriefing or a contract appeal to get inside documents about how contracting officer makes awards, that's all to your good, and all contractors should keep checking the Federal Procurement Data System and the CPARS to make sure they know what other people are up to.
The literature on procurement is minimal and usually uninformative. Even if this book is absurd, it explains how the system actually works.
From the FAR Part 12 commercial contract program, which requires a "determination and finings" or "commerciality determination memo" that a contract officer must issue before going the accelerated commercial route (which has a $7.5 million threshold); to the Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) of $250,000, which means that contracts are reserved for small businesses by default but which also means they do not require formal evaluation plans or debriefings; to the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) which is like the Yelp for federal agencies looking at potential contractors; this book explains how the $600 billion plus in federal procurement money is actually allocated and spent.
There are lessons here about the strangeness of how bureaucracy intersects with private business. For one, in private business a cost-reimbursement contract would be wonderful because it saves a contractor the risk and guarantees benefits, but since in the government it requires the "dreaded Cost Accounting Standards or CAS" it in facts means only large companies can afford the accounting costs of winning them. Sometimes the government allows sole source awards, but the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) means that if you get one you have to disclose all of your cost and pricing data, which gives the government a real advantage in negotiation, and, if the certified cost data is wrong, the government can claw back money or subject you to false claims suits. The book also makes clear that information is king. If your company files FOIAs to get info on competitors, that's OK, or a debriefing or a contract appeal to get inside documents about how contracting officer makes awards, that's all to your good, and all contractors should keep checking the Federal Procurement Data System and the CPARS to make sure they know what other people are up to.
The literature on procurement is minimal and usually uninformative. Even if this book is absurd, it explains how the system actually works.
December 31, 2022
Great for government project managers!
Great for government project managers that want to know more about the FAR and contractor strategy. Will help with the job and interviews.
Great for government project managers that want to know more about the FAR and contractor strategy. Will help with the job and interviews.
September 12, 2024
Some differences between this and His other book, “Government Contracting in Plain English” but it’s almost the same thing.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews