Oct 2008 - Nov 2008   Volume 4, Issue 4

      

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The U.S. Small Business Administration has adjusted its monetary-based size standards (e.g., receipts, net worth, and financial assets), for the effect of inflation that has occurred since its last inflation adjustment in February 2002. The rule, which is effective August 18, 2008, finalizes the Agency's December 6, 2005 interim final rule that also amended monetary-based small business size standards for inflation. However, this rule adds an additional 8.7 percent to the inflation-adjusted size standards of the December 2005 interim final rule. This additional 8.7 percent accounts for inflation that has occurred since then.

This action restores small business eligibility to businesses that have lost that status due to inflation. For purposes of Federal procurements, this rule applies to solicitations, except for noncompetitive section 8(a) contracts, issued on or after January 5, 2006. For purposes of noncompetitive section 8(a) contracting actions, the new size standards are applicable to offers of requirements that are accepted by SBA on or after January 5, 2006.

As a result of this change, some vendors may need to recertify in ORCA to reflect the new Small Business size standards. The size standards data in ORCA is automatically populated from data in CCR. The size standards data in CCR comes directly from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Recertification will ensure that your current ORCA record reflects any changes made by the Small Business Administration.

You can renew your ORCA registration at anytime by going to http://orca.bpn.gov. For more information regarding changes in Small Business size standards, visit the Small Business Administrations website at:

http://www.sba.gov/size/indexwhatsnew.html#inflIFR.




 


In late September 2008, it was announced that a 15-member panel, called the Multiple Award Schedules Advisory Panel, had completed a study of the Price Reduction Clause as it relates to service providers holding GSA Schedules. The panel's study stated that the price reduction clause was not enforceable for service contracts and recommended that GSA should stop using the clause in the Schedules Program. The clause has been a staple in the Schedule Program as it guarantees that the Government always gets the lowest price from a services company. It requires that a contractor reduce the price it charges to the Government if it sells the same services at a lower price to a non-GSA customer.

According to a report in the Federal Times, "the panel believes the goals of the Price Reduction Clause can be achieved through competition for task orders on the contracts and by making GSA's justifications for the schedule contract awards available to buying agencies." The panel recommending that the GSA replace the price reduction clause with new guidelines to determine fair and reasonable prices.

 

 

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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.

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Third Floor
Washington, DC 20005

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

  
   
Recommended News Article

It is important for members of the Government Contracting Community to keep abreast of the latest news. Recently published by Mr. Guy Timberlake of the American Small Business Coalition for Washington Technology, "The Dos and Don'ts of Partnering with Large Companies" includes help tips for small business looking to team with larger firms. It is an important read for any small business owner. The article can be found on the Washington Technology website.		  
     
 

Client Corner

  
   
When approaching a proposal, what is the most important aspect of the process?
 
The planning process is the most important part of writing a proposal. The planning process should contain the following steps:

1.) Identification of the Government client's primary need/needs,
2.) Development of Win Strategy or Strategies),
3.) Development of Win Theme(s),
4.) Creation of a Proposal Directive,
5.) Creation of a Proposal Outline,
6.) Assignment of Sections to Write, and
7.) Development of a Proposal Schedule/Timeline.

Of these steps, the most important is the creation of solid, well-thought-out win themes. Win themes should tie your proposal together. They allow the writer to present the most important aspects of your proposal in simple language and connect those aspects throughout the document. Your win themes should explain why you are the best value to the Government client, and how your approach/strategy will meet the Government's "true" need. Typically, win themes are created during the business development process prior to the release of the final Request for Proposal (RFP) and informed by your business intelligence gathering.

Proposal Developers at Global Services work with our clients to determine the best proposal approach through the construction of win themes. We discuss all aspects of your business intelligence, knowledge of client, and overall client need to assist you in forming win themes that will enhance your proposal and ultimately enhance the way you present your solutions to the Government.

 		  
     
   
 

November 7, 2008
Washington, DC Chapter of SCORE presents "GSA Schedules 101." This course is from 9:00 AM to Noon. Please contact SCORE at www.scoredc.org or 202-272-0390.

December 4, 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.

December 5, 2008
Washington, DC Chapter of SCORE presents "Preparing a Winning Federal Proposal," This course is from 9:00 AM to Noon. Please contact SCORE at www.scoredc.org or 202-272-0390.
 

  
             


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