Let’s merge schedules and GWACs to create something really innovative

Contract awards could be very simple. If a company already has an existing MAS or GWAC, they are automatically in the program. New companies could submit a simple technical proposal based on what the potential supplier can provide to the government and how it plans to perform the work.

Competition at the order level would then decide if companies can stay in the program. Cost reimbursement contracting could easily be turned on by a government-approved accounting system — and more common now, a third-party audit certifying the acceptability of cost accounting.

This approach would eliminate the need for an in-depth look at pricing at the contract level and allow a best-value process to determine task order price. It would free up time for both federal contract specialists as well as industry pricing experts to focus on higher-value work.

This would mirror a common industry practice of an unpriced Master Services Agreement and priced work statements. Further, it focuses on quality and price at the order level through vigorous competition by qualified firms.

Congress granted civilian agencies the option to implement “unpriced services” in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Particularly, Section 876 titled, “Increasing Competition at the Task Order Level,” shows the support of Congress for unpriced master contract vehicles designed to increase competition where it matters the most — at the order level. GSA has yet to implement this authority.

Let’s start the conversation with customer agencies, as well as GSA and industry leaders.

By Jacob Bertram, Principal Consultant with Lohfeld Consulting Group

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals.
As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Go-to-Market Strategy, Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $135B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.