Better Buy on UserVoice

Let's talk cloud and market research!

2011-12-08T07:24:27-08:00

Richard Blake suggested:
Let's talk cloud and market research. Difficult? What can we do to make it easier?

would it be possible to apply a little commonsense and logic in these decisions?

2011-10-18T09:07:48-07:00

Provide free, approved File Encryptor tool to securely move files - use USAF's Encryption Wizard

2011-10-04T14:13:59-07:00

Kevin suggested:
Protecting senstive files is required by law by rarely accomplished because of the diversity of systems, communications, and receipents. Lost of intellectual property = econmic losses. There is a free, simple solution. Encryption Wizard provides strong, fast, easy-to-use, granular file and folder encryption for storing/sharing FOUO, CUI, and other sensitive data. Encryption Wizard (EW) is a thin, free, portable, CAC-enabled, 128-bit AES, archive and compression optional, GOTS, Java app that needs no installation. EW comes in two fully-compatible editions: EW-Govt is FIPS 140-2 validated and accredited for Government networks; EW-Public can be downloaded by anyone at http://spi.dod.mil/ewizard.htm

Reduce spending on military pomp and circumstance events. [updated]

2011-09-01T07:32:35-07:00

Change of Command ceremonies occur with each new military Commander/Commanding Officer every 2-3 years at every installation. Activities are planned months in advance requiring massive manhours, planning, coordination, materials, equipment rentals, impact on facilities, and administrative costs. Keep the tradition, but minimize the cost and impact by setting limits on the allowed activities and pomp and circumstance expectations.

Anonymous said:

Has anyone ever audited the cost to government for military events? Honoring our military is important; however, I have personally participating and witnessed unneccesary government spending for frequent change of command events and other VIP functions. There is a very large price tag here that could be easily reduced and still maintain the tradition and recognition of service.

Start at the beginning. [updated]

2011-08-31T14:34:42-07:00

You are starting too late in the game. Improving acquisition begins with adequately trained personnel. The move toward education of procurement personnel is a good one, but they can't even put their training information into the electronic acquisition career management system (ACMIS) because it does not work correctly. Fix that. Begin at the beginning please.

Donna Jenkins - Director, Federal Acquisition Institute said:

Hello All -
I’m excited to tell you if you haven't already heard, FAI is decommissioning ACMIS. We heard the comments and understand that the system was not user friendly. We have enhanced the Federal Acquisition Institute Training Application System (FAITAS v2.0) to not only manage your training history, but in the near future you will be able to track your continuous learning, acquisition certifications, and warrants. If you haven't registered in FAITAS yet, join the over 35,000 acquisition professionals by visiting us at: www.FAI.Gov and clicking on the bright yellow button labeled “FAITAS v2.0.”

supplement the Pathway To Success training to include direct input from contracting officers

2011-08-31T14:22:43-07:00

Dave suggested:
This would help perspective vendors get a better feel for what the CO's are looking for in the proposal which would save all parties the resources spent on clarifications.

It should be mandatory for The POC of each solicitation to post the awardee and the price for vendor

2011-08-31T13:56:25-07:00

Frustrated with the process! suggested:
Out of all the notifications that we have submitted to in ebuy, Only about 3% post this information and about 1% of the POC's respond to phone calls or emails! This has proven to be a waste of time and MONEY for our firm!

Provide guidance to ensure incorporation of Assitive Technology solutions in the acquisition process

2011-06-17T15:32:03-07:00

Use prediction markets to get better estimates of a service contract's length and cost [updated]

2011-05-24T07:18:15-07:00

Humans are notoriously terrible at estimating anything. This includes project managers and contracting officers when it comes to estimating a service contract’s length and cost. This is attributed to biases, over-confidence or lack thereof, and imperfect information. But prediction markets provide an unbiased, accurate estimate which the service provider and contracting officer can use to set realistic delivery expectations and, if necessary, as a starting point for negotiation in a contract engagement. It also allows service providers to be more confident in their proposals and allows the buyer to ensure they are not being overcharged or undercharged with the risk of large change orders later. This model would help move the government from fixed price contracts to less-expensive time and materials contracts (as others have mentioned in these forums).

steviet said:

brilliant!

Use prediction markets to get better estimates of a service contract's length and cost [updated]

2011-05-24T07:17:21-07:00

Kyle Hawke said:

Adam, after a quick Google search, I see your article that explains more of what you are talking about regarding going beyond the service project's cost into managing the risk of the project:

http://www.rmmagazine.com/MGTemplate.cfm?Section=RMMagazine&NavMenuID=128&template=/Magazine/DisplayMagazines.cfm&IssueID=318&AID=3611&Volume=55&ShowArticle=1

It's definitely an interesting concept and I'd love to chat with you and the folks managing this forum more about the details of how to pilot something like this.

Use prediction markets to get better estimates of a service contract's length and cost [updated]

2011-05-24T06:08:40-07:00

Carlos Camacho said:

Good stuff. I would definitely use a solution like this.

Use prediction markets to get better estimates of a service contract's length and cost [updated]

2011-05-24T04:17:25-07:00

Adam Siegel said:

I'm biased because I founded a company that provides companies and government prediction market solutions, but I still think this is a good idea.

You could also continue the use of the prediction market beyond the opening stages of the project in to operations. No reason why you can't be asking about meeting budgets during the project, meeting/missing milestones, and asking about the likelihood of risk factors occurring.

I know MITRE has begun doing some work using prediction markets with a couple of their clients but I haven't heard much else about this specific use case.

Use prediction markets to get better estimates of a service contract's length and cost [updated]

2011-05-23T17:07:08-07:00

Greg Herrington said:

love this idea...LOVE IT. Can't believe the Feds haven't thought of this already. Oh wait, actually, I can...

Use prediction markets to get better estimates of a service contract's length and cost [updated]

2011-05-23T14:46:11-07:00

jchard said:

this is genius, I can't believe they aren't doing this already. THE perfect option for making acquisition more efficient

Use prediction markets to get better estimates of a service contract's length and cost

2011-05-23T14:36:51-07:00

Kyle Hawke suggested:
Humans are notoriously terrible at estimating anything. This includes project managers and contracting officers when it comes to estimating a service contract’s length and cost. This is attributed to biases, over-confidence or lack thereof, and imperfect information. But prediction markets provide an unbiased, accurate estimate which the service provider and contracting officer can use to set realistic delivery expectations and, if necessary, as a starting point for negotiation in a contract engagement. It also allows service providers to be more confident in their proposals and allows the buyer to ensure they are not being overcharged or undercharged with the risk of large change orders later. This model would help move the government from fixed price contracts to less-expensive time and materials contracts (as others have mentioned in these forums).

Apply TrackDailyGoals.com and #dailygoals hashtag on Twitter to implement public transparency [updated]

2011-05-15T17:19:31-07:00

TrackDailyGoals, while useful for project management and goal tracking, is unused for public accountability and transparency. It could have an amazing impact when a individual wants to see whether a specific person or agency is completing their daily goals and over what period of time. The full case for it is laid out in the post below. http://allthingssterling.com/twittering-for-contracts-transparency-with-trackdailygoals

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Apply TrackDailyGoals.com and #dailygoals hashtag on Twitter to implement public transparency [updated]

2011-05-15T17:19:02-07:00

Louis Vuitton 2011 said:

the government can save money by:

2011-04-22T07:22:42-07:00

ricky degaro suggested:
the government can save money by:stopping the purchase of fuel by government agency's.why not use our own fuel for our own government agency's

Alpha Contracting [updated]

2010-12-10T05:03:09-08:00

I suggest that agencies use Alpha Contracting as a means to streamline the process. From the Contractors perspective, it negates the need for the huge proposal volumes that have become commonplace. Basically, alpha contracting is real time contracting and it works. Requirements are defined collabortively, the proposal is worked real time and negotiations occur real time.

Sterling Whitehead said:

Alpha Acquisition http://nawctsd.navair.navy.mil/Resources/Library/Acqguide/alpha-acquisition.htm

stop the love affair with FFP. They are training wheels for PMs that can't manage [updated]

2010-12-09T12:44:30-08:00

We are being forced into FFP contracts on IT projects, and they increase the costs to the gov't (contrary to popular opinion). Contactors increase their costs at the outset due to the "risk" they're assuming, and yet there is no flexibility to adapt to changing requirements/new technology without modifying the contract. A project manager/COTR that is actively involved/managing gets a better product via a T&M contract.

Doug Finnefrock said:

We have a verifiable cost increase of approximately just over $10M per year to over $13M going from T&M IT application development services to FFP. FFP in IT software development environments is nothing more than Contractors covering their increased risk with higher costs, it also forces the Gov't to write rock-solid PWSs and SOWs, which can also be $ as well as problematic, particularly for applications/systems in O&M.

Put at end to the dump of "end of year" procurements [updated]

2010-11-26T12:32:18-08:00

Agencies hold funds until the end of the year and make rash, rushed, and poorly planned procurements. The shortened lead time leads to higher cost, inadequate competition, and an inability to coduct procurements in an effective manner. If OMB really wants to improve processes, they should start there, and prohibit agency spending in the fourth quarter that exceeds the spending in the first two quarters. With adequate procurement lead time, procurement processes will improve.

Jim said:

This problem has gone on for years and years, and with the current budget deficit, it is time for Congress to pay attention and save taxpayers millions through better fiscal planning by agencies. Fourth quarter spending is huge, and wastes a lot of money. Agencies deliberately spend their entire budget because they know if they don't they will have to return funds to the Treasury and will not get as large a budget in subsequent years. What can Congress do to stop this fourth quarter dump?

Require bids to be submitted electronically instead of multiple hard copies [updated]

2010-11-23T17:52:55-08:00

Electronic proposals will save paper, time and money. Industry spends a fortune on nice binders, high quality paper and shipping costs to submit multi-volume proposals. Electronic submission would reduce waste and cut down on production time required for each bid.

4QABgate said:

GSA - Region 4 Assisted Acquisition Service is already doing this. The entire procurement process is done electronically - Request and funding from the client, RFI/FBO (Market Research), Posting of the RFQ via ITSS and award via ITSS - award document, modifications and correspondence are signed and filed in ITSS electronically. Hard copy signatures are used in less than 1% of the time.

Use of online chat by government [updated]

2010-11-23T17:45:50-08:00

Govt could host online chat sessions with interested bidders to answer questions associated with the requirement and to ask questions of industry enabling better requirements definition

4QABgate said:

Seems like a pretty decent idea. Q & A on line. If a site visit is not necessary this could provide real time Q &A

Alpha Contracting [updated]

2010-11-03T15:55:07-07:00

Sterling Whitehead said:

David, can you provide the link to Alpha contracting?