THE NASH & CIBINIC REPORT: FAR PART 15 IS (ALMOST) OVERHAULED: What Will Contracting Officers Do Now?

Very informative and enlightening. Also the conclusion suspecting “few COs have much experience negotiating complex contract terms, and the RFO FAR COMPANION and the practice guides are, in their present state, are practically useless. Will COs conduct competitive negotiations competently? If so, how will they do it? We do not know, but if history is any guide, the RFO will be followed by lengthy period of uncertainty, confusion, and bid protest litigation” will undoubtably prove true in my opinion.

Over time, new legislation, FAR changes, and policies will address what are perceived as fixes. This results in greatly expanded regulations prescribing in detail how everything should be done. Ultimately we end up with as bad, if not worse, situation as we have before the RFO.

The only solution I see is a rush movement to make the Guides more relevant and useful coupled with meaningful and comprehensive training. Senior contract management must ensure close oversight initially of all work. Mentoring of inexperienced personnel is a necessity.