Government Contracting Mistakes

Avoid Common Mistakes & Landmines In Federal Contracts

As a government contractor, you quickly realize that federal procurement rules can complex and vague. Without experienced help you find yourself frustrated and on the edge. The government contract attorneys at Theodore Watson & Associates, LLC dedicates a substantial amount of its practice to federal contract law. As former government contracting officials, our goal is to bring a proactive approach to contractors across the country seeking specialized help.

Risks are Higher without Adequate Guidance

Government contracts come with costly ramifications when mistakes are made. Many contractors simply rely on their everyday business attorneys to solve federal procurement problems. Not all state contract law attorneys understand the unique federal procurement rules, and the landmines that await you. This is where Theodore Watson and Associates can help. Our proactive approach extends to:

• Preventing delays
• Compliance & guidance during performance
• Reducing terminations, debarment and suspensions
• Drafting adequate teaming agreements
• Minimizing claims litigation

Common Mistakes in Federal Contracting

Both small and large companies frequently call upon our government contract lawyers when mistakes are made. These mistakes include:

• Misrepresentations in the bidding process
• Joint venture and teaming mistakes
• Non-compliance with SBA 8a requirements
• Untimely response to agency requests
• Unintended ethics violations
• Unfamiliarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR)

Our contract lawyers and consultants focus on build long-term relationships with our clients. This investment can save thousands or millions in the end

Small Business Procurement Matters

One of our unique areas of federal contract law is the Small Business Program. Our lawyers are well-versed in this area and represent small business across the United States in a wide array of issues that include

• SBA 8a Program Matters
• Teaming & Joint Venture Initiatives
• HUBZone Program
• Effective Marketing Strategies
• RFP & Proposals
• Bid Protest and how to avoid them
• Compliance & Legal Interpretation of the rules

Diverse Experienced Team

As government attorneys and procurement consultants, our government contracting experts share our diverse experiences to bring you the best solutions possible. Our leadership includes

• Former Federal Small Business Executives
• Former DOD Contracting Officers
• Federal Contracting Attorneys

This combination and diversity brings the ingredients that separate us from our competitors. We simply have worked for the ‘other side’ and know how the ‘game’ is played.

Documentation Prevents Costly Litigation

As your contracts progress, you must document and document and document. This saves a substantial amount of man hours when problems occur. Keeping a thorough and complete internal contract file saves thousands of dollars when litigation arises. Examples of adequate documentation include:

• Progress reports to the government putting it on notice of problems beyond your control
• E-mails and communication to the government
• Documentation on subcontractors
• Quality Assurance Plans and subsequent changes
• Change orders

Get Solid Teaming Arrangements

Many contractors engage in teaming relationships under FAR 9.6. However, many of the teaming relationships start immediately when the solicitation is published. You should first understand that unique rules apply to teaming and joint ventures. These rules address:

• Controlling parties to the contract
• Percentage of work attributable to each party
• Statutory requires under the Code of Federal Regulations

Without a thorough understanding of the governing laws, you could easily fall prey to dangerous and costly mistakes along the way. The government contract attorneys at Theodore Watson & Associates are well-versed on the ‘landmines’ that await you.

We Offer a Wide Array of Contract Matters

We serve as government consultants and lawyers to large prime contractors and assist them with better strategies, developing subcontracting plans, teaming arrangements, joint venture programs, and joint venture agreements. These are typical areas for which, when mistakes are made in the bid process, the implications can be harsh. We can assist you by

Marketing Mistakes

Government contractors sometimes spend thousands of dollars in unproductive marketing efforts to federal agencies. The truth is that

• Marketing to the federal government is highly distinguished from tradition marketing in the commercial sector
• Companies fail to utilize actual data to isolate national federal markets for their particular service or product

At Watson’s, we help to create a concise roadmap for your particular service or product; we gather concise data to put you in the right direction.

Marketing Mistake 1: When you meet with the government contracting officer or program manager about upcoming Federal Contract Opportunities, keep in mind that this person is probably the person most responsible for the government contract you seek. You have approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to strut your stuff. You have to know how to do it right, and concisely, the first time. The presentation basics:

• Prepare a PowerPoint presentation instead, one that covers your strengths, NAICS code, and past performance, at minimum.
• Tell success stories, and have before-and-after project pictures

Marketing Mistake 2: More so than not, government contractors just put together proposals with the idea that they can do it better than the other guy. They may be correct. However, the ability to perform the contract is only one of several factors considered for an award. Don’t fall into this trap. You must know things like “best value,” “past performance,” and “price and past performance trade-off.” This is where our government contract consultants can help you to beat the competition.

Nationwide Service

The Watson group serves government contractors in Denver, Colorado; Wyoming; Washington State; California; Maryland; New Mexico; Kansas and Nebraska; New York; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago, Illinois; Michigan; Pennsylvania; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Arkansas; Colorado Springs; Utah; Oklahoma; Ohio; Maine; Florida; Texas; Nevada; Maryland; Louisiana; Las Vegas; Georgia; Hawaii; Alaska; Washington, D.C.; West Virginia; Florida; Indiana; Washington State; Mississippi; California, Tennessee; Tampa; Miami; Virgin Islands; Rhode Island; Vermont; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Missouri; Virginia; Delaware; Connecticut; Arizona; New Hampshire; Massachusetts and Montana.

Contact us to Reduce Mistakes

If you wish to develop a comprehensive roadmap that avoids mistakes in government contracting, Contact Theodore Watson & Associates online to further discuss how we can help you or call 720.941.7200.

Additional Online Resources:

FirstGov Legislative Branch Library of Congress White House City/County Codes of Ordinances Municipal Codes Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce Department of Treasury Department of Justice U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Central Contractor Registration Small Business Administration Office of Federal Procurement Policy Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Our government contracts consulting services Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals GAO U.S. Supreme Court

Federal law allows our law firm to represent clients in virtually any state. Contrary to common belief, you do not have to retain a Washington, D.C. lawyer to represent you. The Watson group serves government contractors in Denver, Colorado; Wyoming; Washington State; California; Maryland; New Mexico; Kansas and Nebraska; New York; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago, Illinois; Michigan; Pennsylvania; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Arkansas; Colorado Springs; Utah; Oklahoma; Ohio; Maine; Florida; Texas; Nevada; Maryland; Louisiana; Las Vegas; Georgia; Hawaii; Alaska; Washington, D.C.; West Virginia; Florida; Indiana; Washington State; Mississippi; California, Tennessee; Tampa; Miami; Virgin Islands; Rhode Island; Vermont; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Missouri; Virginia; Delaware; Connecticut; Arizona; New Hampshire; Massachusetts and Montana