February 2000

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Now that we've had a decent snowfall, it finally feels like winter is here. After spending one day "stuck" at home with my youngest son, I was definitely ready for the snowplows to come down my street.

When I took on the job of Chapter President, my main goal was for the Chapter to provide as many opportunities for education and professional development as possible. There are several opportunities available for continuing education in the contracts field over the next few months.

On February 24, 2000 we will host a one-day seminar on "Advanced Issues in Best Value Procurement". This seminar will be presented by Ralph Nash. Please look for further details in this Newsletter.

On Tuesday, April 4, 2000, the Chapter will host its NES. More details and registration information may be found in the Contracts Management Magazine, in mailers from the National Office and the Chapter, and in the Newsletter.

On April 9 through 12, 2000, NCMA National Office will hold World Congress 2000 in Arlington, Virginia. This is a great opportunity to meet other NCMA members, and to take advantage of many educational opportunities over the space of just a few days. Registration information may be found in Contracts Management Magazine. Details may also be found at www.ncmahq.org/congress2000/index.html.

I'd like to remind everyone that we have a new discussion forum on our Chapter web site. The forum was established to foster communication among our members. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding Chapter activities, please post a message.

Our next membership meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 2, 2000 at 11:30 a.m. at the Garden Plaza. I hope to see you there. Elise Roske, CPCM

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Registration and Networking 11:30 to 11:45 Meeting begins promptly at 11:45 a.m.

Cost: $10 Members, $12 Non-Members

Where: Garden Plaza Hotel

Topic: Wackenhut, Oak Ridge's Security Contractor

Speaker: Walt Ferguson, Project Manager, Wackenhut

Menu: Fresh Tossed Garden Salad with Assorted Dressings Beef Kabobs Red Bliss Potatoes Green Beans Amandine Assorted Dinner Rolls & Butter Chef's Choice of Dessert Coffee, Ice Tea & Water

RSVP: Call Vicki Dyer at 483-9332.

NOTE: Please make reservations by 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 28 The President's Corner.........

Education...

We are very excited to present "Advanced Issues in Best Value Procurement" with Ralph Nash on February 24 at the Comfort Inn. A detailed course description is included in the newsletter. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Karen Shears at (865) 241-6411 or Darlene Ahlers at (865) 576-0757. There are a limited number of spaces available, so make your reservations early!

Karen Shears and Darlene Ahlers Calendar of Events........

February 2, 2000 NCMA Membership Meeting

February 16, 2000 NCMA Workshop and Board Meeting

February 24, 2000 One-day seminar on "Advanced Issues in Best Value Procurement". Presented by Ralph Nash

March 1, 2000 NCMA Membership Meeting

March 15, 2000 NCMA Board Meeting

April 4, 2000 NES

Membership News... As of January, 1999, the East Tennessee Chapter had 158 members.

East Tennessee Chapter Information... Click on www.ncmaet.com, the website of National Contract Management Association East Tennessee Chapter. The goal of creating this site is to keep our members informed of news and activities of the NCMA--East Tennessee Chapter.

Job postings on Employment Opportunities NCMAET Discussion Forum is now open News and Events December Meeting Minutes Newsletter for January

Robert Madgett

Scholarship News

Our scholarship package, for fiscal year 1999-2000, should be ready for distribution by the first or second week in February. We have also applied to the national organization for supplemental scholarship funds.

McArthur Moore

NES

The NES Committee will hold their next meeting on Feb 8 at 11:30 AM in conference room 202 in the Bechtel building. We will be finalizing the speaker list and making assignments for the day of the NES.

Mike Criss

CPCM Study Group

The CPCM Study Group is tentatively scheduled to meet on Feb 3 at 5:15 PM in conference room 105 in the Bechtel Building. This is a change to our regular meeting day due to scheduling conflicts.

Mike Criss

Electronic Newsletter

Thanks to the members that have supplied me with your e-mail address. This will enable the Chapter to trim its expenditures on postage and use the money for the benefit of the entire chapter. We are now only mailing out fifteen newsletters. This also enable our members to get the news quicker and help them plan their schedule to include NCMA activities.

Connie Bayless

The East Tennessee NCMA Chapter proudly presents...

ADVANCED ISSUES IN BEST VALUE PROCUREMENT

A dynamic, thoroughly up-to-date analysis of the advanced issues best value procurement poses to industry and government representatives

Conducted by Ralph C. Nash, Jr.

February 24, 2000 Comfort Inn, Oak Ridge,TN

For more information, please contact Karen Shears at (865) 241-6411 or Darlene Ahlers at (865) 576-0757

ADVANCED ISSUES IN BEST VALUE PROCUREMENT

Best Value Procurement has moved to the forefront of the government's purchasing procedures. Clear and seemingly uncomplicated in its intent - a focus on awarding contracts to offerors who offer the greatest number of advantages, the greatest value for money spent, rather than only awarding contracts based on the lowest price - its implementation has been uneven.

Innovation does not always lead to simplicity. In the case of best value procurement, a wide range of advanced issues that must be anticipated and understood has continually arisen since its inception as a purchasing mandate. Whether for a product or service, there are an extensive number of trouble spots, unclear directions, shifting interpretations and growing precedents that procurement professionals must not only recognize, but be able to swiftly and effectively manage.

The Course Instructor: Ralph C. Nash, Jr.

Nationally recognized as one of the leading and most respected authorities in Government procurement, Ralph Nash's guidance, insights and innovations have been at the forefront of the contracting profession for decades. He has a served as a member of the governing Council of the American Bar Association's Section of Public Contract Law and as a Judge on the Atomic Energy Commission Board of Contract Appeals. He has co-authored, with a fellow contracting pioneer John Cibinic, a number of the classic, most authoritative books produced on procurement matters, including: Federal Procurement Law; Formation of Government Contracts; Administration of Government Contracts; Cost Reimbursement Contracts; and Government Contract Claims.

Course Curriculum

1. Overview of the Far Part 15 Rewrite m Organization m Definitions m Communications m Competitive Range m Solicitations and award documents m Pricing

2. Planning the Procurement m Composition and role of the acquisition team m The need for a "clean" RFP m The new communications rule and procurement integrity

3. Selecting Evaluation Factors m Minimizing the number of factors m Distinguishing "offer" factors from "capability" factors m Types of offer factors and their proper use m Types of capability factors and their proper use m Past performance m Experience m Understanding the work

4. Technical Proposals vs. Oral Presentations m Offers vs. proposals m Types of technical proposals and their use m Oral presentations m Advantages m Rules for use m Presentation format

5. Award Without Discussions m Advantages m Legal limitations m The amount of permissible clarification

6. Establishing the Competitive Range m The new theory m Permissible communications m Selecting the "most highly rated proposals" m Efficiency considerations

7. Negotiations/Discussions m Intent of the new rule m Requirement for meaningful discussions m Breadth of negotiation permitted m Limitations on discussions m Correction of mistakes

8. Pricing m Limitations on obtaining cost or pricing data m Other data to assist in price reasonableness determination m Cost realism analysis and probable cost determination m Coordination with audit and field pricing personnel

9. Protest Avoidance m Debriefings m Solicitation improvement m Agency protest procedures

Connie Bayless U. S. Department of Energy Procurement and Contracts Division, AD-42 P O BOX 2001 Oak Ridge TN 37831