Contracting Conversations

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim explore what to do if you are drowning in data. You will learn a simple 3 step process to ensure you're only collecting what you need for your mission. Plus, CEO of Public Spend Forum, Raj Sharma, shares the importance of starting the process early. This is part of the Contracting Conversations series taped during the Nexus 2024 conference in Jacksonville, FL.2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspxDAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott are jumping into NASA's new spacesuit, an update on 40-year-old technology to keep our explorers safe from the moon to mars.  What does it take to get boots on the lunar ground? And what is the ticket to launching industry into competition over the astronauts’ new outfit? We will learn this, and more from Bradley Niese, the acting director of procurement from the Nasa Johnson Space Center in Houston. This is part of the Contracting Conversations series taped during the Nexus 2024 conference in Jacksonville, FL.2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspxDAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott are chatting about the future role of AI in the Acquisition workforce, and guess what? The future is now!  They learn more about how the new Intelex BOT can be a formidable foe in a simulated contract negotiation, and they'll discuss the fears over this new technology with Mr. Kinglsey Martin, Chief Technology Officer, Intellext.  This is part of the Contracting Conversations series taped during the Nexus 2024 conference in Jacksonville, FL.Kinsley Martin's Linked-In Site: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingsleymartin/ 2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspxDAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott talk to Leeann Ori and Anne Renn to get a bird’s eye view of what it takes to support Air Combat Command. They discuss challenges they’ve faced in the remotely piloted aircraft maintenance program. Learn why Leeann and Anne embrace conflict with multifunctional teams and worm their way through a selection of motivating books that helped get their teamwork, to dreamwork. This is part of the Contracting Conversations series taped during the Nexus 2024 conference in Jacksonville, FL.2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspxDAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

CONnect Live! Special EditionIn this week’s CONnect Live, DAU is pleased to present an overview of upcoming changes to the contracting certification courses. CON 1100 Contract Foundational Skills, CON 1200 Contract Pre-award, CON 1300 Contract Award, and CON 1400 Contract Post-Award have all gone through some level of revision to streamline delivery and improve the learning experience. These changes take effect on 1 Oct 2024 for FY25 and beyond.This event will provide valuable information about these Contracting certification courses and is encouraged for all 1102's and their supervisors. Future students will come away with a better understanding of what they will experience in each course. Supervisors will see a notional schedule to understand the time commitments each course requires.

In this episode of Contracting Conversations from the NCMA/DAU Nexus 2024 Conference in Jacksonville, FL, Jim and Scott talk with Neal Duiker and Shaun Branam about the contracting and program management behind digital twinning for the B-21. What's a digital twin? It's a virtual model of a real-world object or system.  These simulations help the government, contractors, engineers, and everyone involved, understand the state of the physical asset, respond to changes, improve operations, and add value to their systems.  Jim and Scott ask about the innovations in contracting and program management that Neal and Shaun implemented, bringing value to the B-21 program. They discuss what others can learn from their exciting new approach, including their key to getting to SUCCESS when they're staring at FAILURE! 2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspxDAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations from the NCMA/DAU Nexus Conference in Jacksonville, FL, Jim and Scott get a behind-the-scenes account of the DoD’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. They speak with Thomas Dougherty, the Executive Director and Senior Contracting Official with Army Contracting Command in New Jersey, about his instrumental role in the rapid response team – a duty that earned him recognition from the President of the United States. Mr. Dougherty shares key takeaways on how he worked with a multifunctional team and offers tips on handling team burnout, even with demanding requirements around the clock.2024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspxDAU YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

This is Contracting Conversation's 2nd Anniversary Podcast - NEXUS Edition!  All the way from Jacksonville, FL!This is Jim and Scott's Anniversary podcast from the NCMA NEXUS Conference in the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville, FL. A big shoutout to NCMA for the great support Michelle Currier and the team provided the Contracting Conversations crew. Contracting Conversations can't wait to support next year's event in Feb 2025 in Long Beach, CA!  In this episode Scott and Jim talk about the future of the channel, and the revised contracting certification courses (look for new recordings in the future) coming out in FY25 (yes, Jim said Oct 2025, but meant 2024 (FY25 - oops)). They ended the podcast thanking those who have supported the podcast from the beginning and at NEXUS - this support allowed this podcast to be born in the first place, and is why DAU is a great place to work!  On revised CON certification courses:  https://www.dau.edu/blogs/exciting-changes-con-certification-courses-fy252024 NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm2025 NEXUS site:  https://ncmahq.org/Web/Web/Events/Nexus.aspx DAU YouTube Channel - for multifunctional video assets: https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim have the pleasure of talking with Christina Jalbert, Learning Asset Manager for CON 7180, Price Negotiation Memorandum, On-Line-Training (OLT) Course.  Christina goes into a review on how the course is structured, who the course is targeted for, and how students are evaluated.  Be sure to check out our other Podcasts describing our many DAU's Cost and Pricing courses. CON 7180 -  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13107  Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContract Cost, Price and Finance Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/pricing  Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim have the pleasure of talking with Christina Jalbert, Learning Asset Manager for CON 7160, the Facilities Capital Cost of Money (FCCOM) On-Line-Training (OLT) Course.  Christina goes into a review on how the course is structured, who the course is targeted for, and how students are evaluated.  Be sure to check out our other Podcasts describing our many DAU's Cost and Pricing courses. CON 7160 - https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13105   Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContract Cost, Price and Finance Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/pricing  Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we explore multiple incentives which can be a very useful tool on a variety of contracts. Jim and Scott continue their conversation concerning incentive contracts with Dave Lewis, the Learning Asset Manager for CON 7640 - Multiple Incentive Contracts. He explains how these contracts work, at a high level, when to use, and who the target audience is.  Take a listen and see if this training is right for you. Don’t miss our previous episodes on CON 7600, CON 7610, CON 7620 and 7630. And if you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to our channel on your favorite platform (DAU Media, Apple Podcasts and/or YouTube) and hit the like button or give us a thumbs up. Thank you for listening.CON 7640 - Multiple Incentives OLT - COMMING OUT SOON CON 7630 - Award-Fee and Award-Term Contracts Course:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13109CON 7600 - https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13108CON 7610 - Fixed-Price Incentive (Firm Target) Contracts Course: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13014CON 7620  - Cost-Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) Contracts Course:   https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13013Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContract Cost, Price and Finance Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/pricing  Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225 

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim have the pleasure of talking with Erin Moore, the Learning Asset Manager for CON 7100, the Materials and Services On-Line-Training (OLT) Cours.  Erin goes into a very thorough review on how the course is structured, who the course is targeted for, and how students are evaluated.  Be sure to check out our other podcasts with Erin on CON 7110, Direct Labor, and 7140V, Advanced Cost Modeling. CON 7100 - https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13100  Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContract Cost, Price and Finance Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/pricing  Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim have the pleasure of talking with Erin Moore, the Learning Asset Manager for CON 7110, the Direct Labor On-Line-Training (OLT) Course.  Erin goes into a very thorough review on how the course is structured, who the course is targeted for, and how students are evaluated.  The course will cover subjects, such as how to evaluate direct labor rates and hours, how to use the Bureau of Labor Statistics (DLS), using the contractors' Forward Price Rate Agreement (FPRA), different estimating methodologies, professional employee compensation plan, and uncompensated overtime.  CON 7110 - https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13098 Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContract Cost, Price and Finance Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/pricing  Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim have the pleasure of talking with Erin Moore, the Learning Asset Manager for CON 7140V, the Advanced Cost Modeling Course.  Erin goes into a very thorough on how the course is structured, who the course is targeted for, and how students are evaluated.  Before you take this course, she recommends, if you aren't comfortable with Microsoft Excel, to take the CCON 018 Excel Skills for Business Credential.CON 7140V - https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12656   Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContract Cost, Price and Finance Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/pricing  Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim celebrate their 100th episode with this special podcast on where they have been and where they are going.  They will take you on a tour of the DAU.EDU site, where the podcast resides, and what playlists are available. Then they will discuss the future of the podcast, such as recording on-site at NCMA's NEXUS Conference (co-hosted with DAU) and focusing more on interviewing SME's on topics you suggest to them.  To make this work, please let them, in the comments section below, know your thoughts on how they can improve and what future topics they should tackle. Be sure to subscribe to the channel, press the like button, and enjoy the ride. If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225 

Contracting Conversations: NEXUS - - Connected Acquisition Teams Get It Right the First Time!DAU and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) are partnering to host Nexus March 3-6, 2024. This event unites government and industry acquisition teams and provides a unique platform for cross-functional collaboration to tackle pressing issues in federal procurement, such as supply chain risk, cybersecurity, and sustainability. In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott interview Carly Cox, who is the President, and Chief Operating Officer of JJR Solutions, and Professor Julie Knechtel, professor of program management at DAU's Midwest Region.  Carl and Julie are the MCs for this year's conference - they will bring the energy!  In this podcast they talk about why they volunteered to MC the event, what is exciting and unique about it, and why you should consider attending.  Jim and Scott will be conducting interviews of attendees, team leads, and speakers, and hope you will talk to them as you enter the conference center.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there. This event is specifically designed for professionals in all functional areas within the acquisition community. Bringing all members of the team together (pricing, program management, logistics, contracts, legal etc.) is critical to providing the warfighter what they need more efficiently and with higher quality. Nexus is designed to do exactly that. Learn from and train with integrated teams who have broken barriers in space exploration, disaster response and beyond. They will share their successes and pitfalls. This is a great way to share knowledge across departments to help make better business and buying decisions. See links below to obtain more info and to register.  NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfmDirect Registration:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/registration.cfmDAU YouTube Channel - for NEXUS multifunctional video assets: https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/For Contracting Conversations channels:If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of DAU's Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott speak with Joel Little, the South Region's Assistant Dean for Outreach and Mission Assistance (ADOMA).  Mr. Little goes into the specifics of how DAU can support your organization with Consulting, Coaching, Customized Learning Solutions, Executive Support and Open Enrollment Workshops.  Jim and Scott believe most of our customers don't know of this valuable resource DAU provides, and their goal is to get the word out.  While many of our customers are program offices, we also support other organizations, for example, contracting, engineering, and research & development offices.  Below, there are links to the Mission Assistance site at DAU.EDU, which includes DAU's POCs at each of its five regions. DAU.EDU MA site:  https://www.dau.edu/mission-assistanceIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

Contracting Conversations: NEXUS - - Connected Acquisition Teams Get It Right the First Time!DAU and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) are partnering to host Nexus March 3-6, 2024. This event unites government and industry acquisition teams and provides a unique platform for cross-functional collaboration to tackle pressing issues in federal procurement, such as supply chain risk, cybersecurity, and sustainability.  In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott interview Michelle Currier, the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) for NCMA, who envisioned the event. She explains that unlike other NCMA-hosted events, this one is specifically designed for professionals in all functional areas within the acquisition community. Bringing all members of the team together (pricing, program management, logistics, contracts, legal etc.) is critical to providing the warfighter what they need more efficiently and with higher quality. Nexus is designed to do exactly that. Learn from and train with integrated teams who have broken barriers in space exploration, disaster response and beyond. They will share their successes and pitfalls. This is a great way to share knowledge across departments to help make better business and buying decisions.   See links below to obtain more info and to register.NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfmDirect Registration:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/registration.cfmDAU YouTube Channel - for multifunctional video assets: https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631 DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/  DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/ For Contracting Conversations channels:If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim chat with Ray Ward, the Learning Director for CCON 025 - Contracting for Services Credential.  Ray talks about what the credential consists of, the sequence taken, capstone assessment, target audience and how to enroll.  Please listen in if you want to know what to expect and if it is the right credential for you.I-Catalog for more info and to sign up:   CCON 025:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx?crs_id=46 Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

In this episode of Contracting Conversations, Scott and Jim chat with Cindy Baker, the Learning Asset Manager for CCON 024, Operational Contracting Credential.  She tells us what it is all about, how many assets, the capstone assessment, definition of operation contracting, the target audience, and the possibility of a operation contracting workshop, with a live instructor, in the future.I-Catalog for more info and to sign up:   CCON 024:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx?crs_id=77 Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentialsBack to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingContracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contractingIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225