What Contractors Should Know About Cost-Plus Contracts in Federal Acquisition
Federal contracting offers a variety of pricing arrangements, each designed to meet different needs depending on the project’s scope, risk, and complexity. One of the most commonly used contract types in research, development, and technical services is the cost-plus contract. More specifically, understanding how cost-plus contracts in federal acquisition function can help contractors better evaluate […]
A Contractor’s Guide to Government Invoicing
Winning a federal contract is only the beginning. To get paid correctly and on time, contractors must master the often-complex process of government invoicing. Unlike commercial billing, federal invoicing follows strict requirements for formatting, timing, supporting documentation, and system use. A single misstep can delay payment or trigger compliance issues. Understanding how government invoicing works—and […]
Understanding NAICS Codes in Federal Contracting
If you’re pursuing federal contracts, one of the first steps to getting noticed by government buyers is selecting the right classification for your business. That classification is your NAICS code. While it may seem like a formality, understanding how these codes work is vital for identifying the right opportunities, competing for set-aside contracts, and ensuring […]
Understanding Government Source Selection in Federal Contracting
For contractors pursuing federal work, winning a contract involves much more than submitting a responsive proposal. It requires understanding how the government chooses its vendors—a process known as government source selection. This formal evaluation method is guided by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and helps ensure transparency, fairness, and best-value decision-making in awarding contracts. Knowing […]
Understanding Federal Contract Modification in Government Contracting
In the lifecycle of any government contract, change is not only common—it’s expected. Whether due to shifting requirements, funding adjustments, or performance issues, the terms of a contract may need to be revised after award. This process is known as a federal contract modification. For contractors, understanding when and how a federal contract modification is […]
Avoiding Common Proposal Pricing Errors in Federal Contracting
When pursuing federal contracts, pricing is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s a direct reflection of your understanding of the work, your ability to deliver, and your business’s credibility. Yet, proposal pricing errors remain one of the top reasons bids are downgraded, disqualified, or deemed non-responsive. These mistakes can cost your company valuable opportunities, […]
How Proposal Strategy Coaching Enhances Federal Bid Success
In the competitive world of federal contracting, it takes more than technical qualifications to win. Success depends on understanding agency needs, aligning solutions with evaluation criteria, and articulating clear, compelling value propositions. These are not just proposal writing tasks—they’re strategic thinking tasks. That’s where proposal strategy coaching comes into play. This specialized support helps organizations […]
Building a Strategic Pricing Framework for Federal Contracts
Federal contracting is not just about writing compelling proposals—it’s also about pricing them competitively and intelligently. A well-defined strategic pricing framework gives government contractors a systematic approach to developing cost proposals that are compliant, competitive, and aligned with business goals. Without such a framework, pricing becomes reactive, error-prone, and misaligned with the technical and management […]
Establishing an Effective Subcontractor Onboarding Process for Federal Projects
In the federal contracting landscape, prime contractors frequently partner with subcontractors to fulfill complex requirements. While teaming can unlock broader capabilities, it also introduces new challenges—especially in ensuring consistency, compliance, and quality. This is where a strong subcontractor onboarding process becomes critical. A well-structured subcontractor onboarding framework helps set expectations, minimize risk, and improve performance […]
Why an Internal Proposal Audit Is Essential for Federal Contractors
In the high-stakes world of federal contracting, submitting a compliant and persuasive proposal isn’t enough—it must be consistently excellent. That consistency comes from a strong internal quality assurance process, with a critical component being the internal proposal audit. This review ensures your proposal is complete, compliant, and aligned with evaluation criteria before it goes out […]
