The Weekly Update August 21, 2017

An ExecutiveGov article from August 16, 2017 analyzes the effects of a looming government shutdown on federal contractors. Expert panelists have advised that it is essential for government contractors to understand the nature of their contracts ahead of a shutdown. Proactively touching base with your contracting officer is the first step to preventing any confusion during a shutdown, as contracting officers may become unreachable in the event that Congress fails to approve funding for fiscal year 2018. Contractors will also need to be prepared to issue stop work orders to their employees, and evaluate their abilities to pay staff if they fail to receive reimbursements from the federal government. It is also advised that government contractors track the costs related to any stop work orders issued due to a federal government shutdown.

An August 11, 2017 article from Federal News Radio discusses the value of including “Other Direct Costs” (ODCs) on Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) service contracts. The Coalition for Government Procurement says MAS is the only commercial item contracting program that has not completely adopted the use of ODC, the Coalition has been a long-term advocate for including ODCs on MAS contracts and task orders, and asserts that doing so would increase the ability of federal agencies to acquire best value comprehensive services solutions from multiple industry partners. Because ODCs are not included on MAS contracts, the article contends, agencies are more likely to seek other contract vehicles that include ODCs, which may be less transparent or competitive than the MAS program, or even create their own service contracts which increase administrative costs all around. Typically, service requirements include ODCs, and agencies prefer contract vehicles that allow competition for complete service solutions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted up to $125,000 awards in FY 2017 to 16 Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program recipients including state and local economic development entities, small business development centers, colleges and universities and up to $200,000 awards to five Small Business Technology Development Centers (SBTDCs) that provide support to innovative, technology-driven small businesses.

 

FAST is designed to stimulate economic development with outreach and technical assistance to science and technology-driven small businesses, with a particular emphasis on fostering participation from women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged firms, helping them to compete in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. 

 

“SBA is looking forward to working with these organizations to increase the understanding of the SBIR/STTR programs,” Administrator Linda McMahon said. “FAST partners fill an important role on the state level, providing training, financial and technical assistance for small, advanced technology businesses, by helping them navigate federally-funded innovation and R&D programs.”