Understanding Federal Government acquisitions can be complicated and overwhelming. With over two decades of experience as a pioneer in Agile Acquisitions in the Federal Government I provide my lessons learned in short, easy to understand, breakdowns of topics that are critical to buying and selling in this unique market.
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3 Key Questions to Ask Before Signing a Government Contract | Avoid These Costly Mistakes! (00:05:00)
Before signing a government contract, do you know what you’re committing to?
Asking the right questions can protect your business, prevent costly mistakes, and ensure contract success. In this video, we break down the three critical questions every contractor must ask before signing a federal contract.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Data Rights & Intellectual Property – Who owns the work? Will the government have unlimited rights or restricted access?
✔️ Deliverables & Agile MVP – What exactly are you expected to deliver? How do you avoid scope creep and misaligned expectations?
✔️ Dependencies & Approval Risks – What system access, approvals, or third-party deliverables could delay your project?
🔍 Key Takeaways:
* Protect your intellectual property and understand FAR data rights
* Define clear contract deliverables to prevent disputes
* Identify dependencies and risks that could impact performance
💡 Don’t sign blindly!
These key questions ensure you’re fully prepared before committing to a federal contract.
🎯 Want more insights on government contracting?
🔔 Subscribe for weekly videos on federal acquisitions, procurement strategies, and contracting best practices.
👍 Like this video? Drop a comment below with your biggest government contracting challenge!
📌 Follow for More:
🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmost/
🔹 Schedule: https://koalendar.com/e/jonathan-m
🔹 Website: agileacq.com
#GovernmentContracting #FederalContracts #Procurement #Acquisitions #GovTech #DataRights #AgileDevelopment #GovernmentProcurement #SmallBusinessGov #FAR #Contracting
Improving Government Acquisitions (00:07:11)
Podcast style discussion of my the top 3 things to improve government acquisitions.
Convert Expiring funds to Tech Innovation Funds: Work with the Appropriation committee to reimagine how agencies manage expiring funds. Instead of incentivizing agencies to sweep end of year money and obligate them to a generic IT contract to buy printers and laptops, judicious execution of a budget that results in underspending should be rewarded. Instead of sending unexecuted funds back to the treasury, those funds should be moved into a tech-innovation fund and become no year, no color money. These dollars could then be used to fund the next new idea that comes around mid-cycle or used as transition funds to bring innovation across the valley of death. To hear more on this, check out my interview with Tyler Sweat AQ2F marker 26:25.
• Government Acquisitions with Jonathan...
Expand Non-FAR based Authority: Currently only 10 agencies have OT Authority (19 if you include component agencies) by some counts there are approximately 400 agencies. Non-FAR base authority serves many purposes, and has been proven time again as an effective tool for driving innovation and accelerating acquisitions. If you want to learn more about #OTA’s check out my video below. This authority should be given to every federal agency and every warranted contracting officer should be considered for an agreements warrant as well. I also think there should be a dedicated Non-FAR based authority for SW Innovation, but that will be another video.
• Other Transaction Authority Part 2
Raise the Bar on Protests: There should be a pre-trial “so-to-speak” where the complainant must prove there is sufficient cause before a protest is accepted. Currently all an unsuccessful offeror needs to do to protest is submit a letter. While the ability to challenge negligent, unethical, or improper acquisitions is important to maintaining the…. In 2024 GAO received 1,803 while this is an 11% decrease from 2023 the sustain rate also fell from 31% to 16%. While there was a 52% effective rate (or some form of relief from the agency), there is no indication of how meaningful that action was. These numbers do not include agency and Court of Federal Claim protests. Protests cost a lot of money, waste a tremendous amount of time and resources, and can delay development or transition of a program to the new vendor. What’s more, the fear of protest, interjects most of the delays we see in the acquisition process.
https://studio.youtube.com/video/Ang3...https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-9....
Thanks for listening
#agileacquisitions#DOGE #GovernmentAcquisitions #Innovation #TechFunds #AcquisitionReform #DigitalTransformation #FederalAgencies #OTAuthority #TechInnovation #FundingInnovation #ProtestsReform #GovernmentEfficiency #JonathanMostowski #FutureOfGovernment
What is Agile Acquisitions? (00:05:56)
In this episode I discuss the difference between agile development and agile acquisitions and provide some key FAR citations to help industry and agencies be more agile. #themoreyouknow #agileacquisitionsandalcohol #myFAR.io #agileacquisitions
Government Protests (00:07:09)
In this episode I discuss the different types of Government protest including Agency Level, GAO, and Court of Federal Claims.
https://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/og96024.htm
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/gao-clarifies-the-scope-of-its-2909433/
Consumption Based Service Acquisitions (00:04:56)
In this episode I discuss the importance of government adoption of Consumption Based Service Acquisition models such as those proposed in the NDAA 2021 Section 834.
Cooperative Research & Development Agreements (CRADA) (00:06:56)
In this episode I discuss Cooperative Research & Development Agreements (CRADA)and the benefits to industry and the Government.
Understanding Intellectual Property (00:05:58)
In this episode I discuss Intellectual property as it relates to Data Rights in Government Contracts.
FAR Nerd (00:07:01)
In this episode I talk about how to improve your understanding and utilization of the Federal Acquisition Regulations
Understanding Contract Types (00:08:35)
In this episode I discuss the different types of contracts and contract vehicles to help users understand what might best meet their needs.
Relevant FAR Sections: https://myfar.io/parts/16
13 Simplified Acquisitions
16 Types of Contracts
16.1 Selecting Contract Types
16.2 Fixed-Price Contracts
16.3 Cost-Reimbursement Contracts
16.4 Incentive Contracts
16.5 Indefinite-Delivery Contracts
16.6 Time-and-Materials, Labor-Hour, and Letter Contracts
16.7 Agreements
35 Research & Development
Breaking into Government Contracts (00:07:17)
In this episode I discuss approaches for entering the Government marketplace.
SBIR: https://www.sbir.gov/about
FAR 19.5: Set-Asides for Small Business myFAR.io
Acquisition Principles Part 3 (00:04:29)
Welcome to part 3 of the Acquisition Principles series. In this episode I discuss:
7 - Leverage the efficiency of commercial contracting methods. If and when possible, use services and tools sold by private sector vendors.
8- Choose diverse teams that have demonstrated success in developing trust, accountability, and navigating cultural barriers. Evaluate demonstrated coding skills and quality of previous delivery expertise as an indicator for future performance.
9 - Get solutions into the hands of users quickly. Incorporate accessibility, security, and usability testing into the process to avoid bottlenecks.
Acquisition Principles Part 2 (00:05:57)
Welcome to part two of the Acquisition Principles for Digital Service. In this episode I will discuss: https://techfarhub.cio.gov/learning-center/principles/
4 - Don’t lock technical requirements into contracts so that new, more effective technologies and methods are not blocked.
5 - Buy design and software development services as a repeated process for the delivery of a working product. Technological enhancements never end. Determine how much of the budget to invest in finding the right solution. Only continue investing in the solution if value is demonstrated.
6 - Buy small, build small, test, and iterate. Set up each contract for a quick win, then determine how to scale that success or pivot quickly.
Acquisition Principles Part 1 (00:05:08)
In this episode I cover the first three of the Acquisition Principles for Digital Service as found on the TechFARHub. Grab a drink and relax as I talk about choosing a mission that matters, paying for performance over time, and separating contractual requirements from technical...Cheers!
Digital Service Maturity Model (00:07:00)
In this week's episode, I enjoy a glass of Yellowstone Bourbon and discuss how you can assess an organizations Digital Service Maturity Model, which is essential in understanding how forward leaning an acquisition can be while still being successful and from an industry perspective if the organization is going to put their agile money where their mouth is.
Digital Service Maturity Determination Use this to evaluate and correlate a requiring activities’ organizational maturity in adoption of digital service techniques to the resulting contract action https://techfarhub.cio.gov/learning-center/agile-maturity/
Acquisition Principles for Digital Services https://techfarhub.cio.gov/learning-center/principles/
Innovation in Appropriation (00:04:38)
In part 3 of this 3 part series I provide some insight into some of the innovations that are taking place in DoD in this coming Fiscal Year.
1:05 "DIB SWAP Appendix B.2: Appropriations Subgroup Report" https://media.defense.gov/2019/Jan/16/2002080473/-1/-1/0/DIB_APPROPRIATIONS_SUBGROUP_REPORT_2019.01.15.PDF
1:22 Memorandum: Software Acquisition Pathway Interim Policy and Procedures https://www.acq.osd.mil/ae/assets/docs/USA002825-19%20Signed%20Memo%20(Software).pdf
2:06 Here are the pilot programs for the new Software Budget Appropriation https://acquisitiontalk.com/2020/03/here-are-the-pilot-programs-for-the-new-software-budget-appropriation/
Color of Money Part 2: Challenges with Appropriations (00:07:11)
In part 2 of this three part series on Color of Money I cover some of the challenges of current appropriation law. This deep dive focuses on DoD but the challenges apply broadly.
2:02 You can learn more about operating under a continuing resolution at https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR2200/RR2263/RAND_RR2263.pdf
2:42 some light reading on the execution of funds from the DoD FMR: https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_14.pdf
4:06 DIB SWAP Study on Appropriations https://media.defense.gov/2019/Jan/16/2002080473/-1/-1/0/DIB_APPROPRIATIONS_SUBGROUP_REPORT_2019.01.15.PDF
5:19 for a detailed overview of the DoD budget process http://acqnotes.com/acqnote/acquisitions/ppbe-overview#:~:text=Budgeting%3A%20The%20Budgeting%20phase%20of,ensure%20efficient%20use%20of%20resources
Color of Money Part 1: Types of Appropriations (00:04:58)
In the first part of this 3 part series discussing color of money, I dive into the fundamentals of different types of appropriations.
Agile Acquisitions (00:05:38)
In part 3 of this 3 part series on Other Transaction Authority, I provide insight on how to find OTA opportunities, which agencies are using them and what consortiums you can join.
Other Transaction Authority Part 2 (00:06:38)
In part 2 of this series on Other transaction Authority (OTA), I discuss the value of using OTA as it compares with FAR based contracting.
History of Other Transaction Authority Part 1 (00:05:46)
In the first part of this 3 part series on Other Transaction Authority I provide a brief overview of the history of OT and how it impacted the use.
How Agile Fails (00:05:43)
In this episode I discuss how agile contracts and programs fail and what to do.
COVID 19 Impact on Government Contracting (00:06:38)
In this episode I discuss how COVID 19 is impacting both Government agencies and Government Contractors and provide some tips on how both can take advantage of the new policies being released.
Low Barriers to Entry (00:04:46)
In this episode I share a story about how I helped a company get their product in the hands of users...in the DoD; something that is far harder than it sounds. Check out this video to see how they did it.
Market Engagement Challenge (00:03:21)
In this episode I offer a challenge to Government innovators to pick up an idea that I never got to implement...who will be the first program/contracting office to implement virtual video updates for their acquisitions?
Selling Products to DoD (00:07:43)
In this episode I provide innovative approaches to selling “products” to the Department of Defense
