After 35-plus years in the US Air Force (USAF), Dayton Aerospace vice president and contracting expert, Tom Wells, has collected quite a few war stories and mentored dozens of young government buyers. In the May 2021 issue of NCMA’s CM Magazine, Tom shares 12 simple, yet detailed contract principles—many learned the hard way through challenges encountered and mistakes made as a junior contracting officer. Though originally developed two decades ago, these 12 principles have endured and continue to provide valuable contracting guidance today.
Never forget the requirement—it is our reason for being.
It is okay to discuss our requirements with industry, but you must be fair to all potential offerors.
Say exactly what you mean – lack of clarity is an invitation for dispute.
Risks are assessed before award, accommodated by award, and managed after award.
All potential offerors should be provided a fair opportunity to compete and be considered for award.
We lose protests if we do not do as we say or do as directed.
Small business is good for America; small, disadvantaged businesses are even better.
You must obligate funds to order work and you must order work to obligate funds.
The contracting officer must always determine the price to be fair and reasonable.
The government should receive what it pays for, pay for what it receives, and not receive that for which it has not paid.
The contract is the only “real” agreement and only the contracting officer may change that agreement.
Follow the money—it really does make the contract work.
To read Tom’s valuable insight on each principle, download the full article here.
Become a member and get a free subscription of CM magazine at the NCMA website.
This article appeared in the May 2021 issue of Contract Management magazine, published by the National Contract Management Association. Used with permission.