Smart contractors know open communications with their customers are the keys to success. And from the looks of
this communication, the Office of Management and Budget is looking to adopt that best practice to the government contracting field.
The Feb. 2 document launches OMB’s “Myth Busters” educational campaign to inform agency acquisition officers about the policies and current flexibilities in the Federal Acquisition Regulation that allow them to tap industry expertise throughout the lifecycle of a procurement, including requirements development and other pre-award milestones. But I’ll let OMB do the communicating here:
“Access to current market information is critical for agency program managers as they define requirements and for contracting officers as they develop acquisition strategies, seek opportunities for small businesses, and negotiate contract terms. Our industry partners are often the best source of this information, so productive interactions between federal agencies and our industry partners should be encouraged to ensure that the government clearly understands the marketplace and can award a contract or order for an effective solution at a reasonable price. Early, frequent, and constructive engagement with industry is especially important for complex, high-risk procurements.”
OMB ordered federal agencies to develop a high-level vendor communication plan to reduce “unnecessary barriers, publicize communication opportunities and prioritize engagement opportunities for high-risk, complex programs or those that fail to attract new vendors during recompetitions.” Unless otherwise prohibited by law, regulation or ethics standards, all forms of communication should be on the table, OMB said.
