Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples)

Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples)

THE podcast for those who want to learn about the government market from the contracting officer's perspective. Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer, both former federal contracting officers, explain the rules, processes and the "why" behind government contracts. They know because they've done it.

Episodes

October 10, 2026 • 6 mins

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul describe the first of the four Acquisition Time Zones.  (Episode 317 provides an overview of all the Acquisition Time Zones). Listen and learn why requirements definition sets the stage for acquisition (and mission) success, what the Government is doing (or should be doing) and what Industry is d...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

What does Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) mean for my contract?  Did I really win any work?  Or for the Government, how much can I buy and for how long?

Kevin and Paul discuss the benefits and pitfalls of this common contract type.  Learn how to leverage IDIQ contracts to make ...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul revisit the fundamentals of the podcast: the Acquisition and Execution Time Zones.  If you're a long time listener this overview is a quick refresher on the beginning and end points of each time zone.  For new(ish) listeners, this episode defines one of the key concepts used to illustrate "w...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul explain the differences between cost and pricing data and the all-important "Certified Cost or Pricing Data"  This has been a hot topic lately as the threshold that triggers the requirement for certified data took a big leap.  

This is an update to Episode 062, where we first discusse...

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October 10, 2026 • 6 mins

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Given the complexity of most Government Requests for Proposals (RFPs) questions are inevitable.  Paul discusses the sensitive nature of RFP questions with proposal expert (and Skyway team member) Wendy Frieman.  

When should you ask questions?  What should you ask?  It is easy to ask quest...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul discuss the differences between Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts and Cost  Reimbursable contract types, with a little Time and Materials (T&M) thrown in for good measure.     
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If you enjoy this podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skyw...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Certified Cost or Pricing Data must be accurate, complete, and current.  We covered certified cost or pricing data way back in Episode 62. 

Today Kevin and Paul get into the meaning of accurate, complete, and current.  Listen and learn why certifying is required, the impact of collecting and ce...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Paul welcomes Contracting Officer and Skyway Acquisition team member Shelley Hall to the podcast to discuss Pre-Award Clearance. This is one of the last hoops that a Contracting Officer has to jump through in order to award a contract.  

Listen and learn how the process works, why it can add time to the ...

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October 10, 2026 • 6 mins

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul answer your question:  What is a Broad Agency Announcement? (BAA) Listen and learn when and how BAAs are used, what types of work are solicited and acquired through a BAA, and how both Government and industry can leverage the opportunities that BAAs make possible.     
_________...

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October 4, 2026 • 6 mins

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Some government contract awards are available only to small businesses who have certain characteristics, such as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. (SDVOSB) 

Kevin and Paul dive into FAR 52.219-27, which applies to awards that are set aside only for SDVOSBs.  These set-asides come with...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin welcomes back Vicki Strycharske to discuss best practices for proposal writing - this time focusing on the Proposal Outline.  Vicki is a regular guest, proposal manager, and Skyway Acquisition team member.  

This is Step 4 of 4 in a series about the first 4 steps that industry should take when...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

All other things being equal, awarding to the low price is the default.  Kevin and Paul discuss how price evaluation impacts FAR Part 15 type acquisitions. (as opposed to micro purchases, simplified acquisition procedures, sealed bids)

Listen and learn why sometimes the Government is explicit that the lo...

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October 4, 2026 • 6 mins

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul respond to a Skyway Community member's question about fall out money.  What is "end of year money" or "fall out money"?  Why does it happen?  How do I get it?  Listen and learn the answers to these questions and more.  
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If you enjoy this podcast, we invite ...

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If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Break the rules, suffer the consequences.  Kevin and Paul discuss suspension and debarment, the primary ways by which the Government enforces compliance with federal criminal law, including fraud, bribery, and the civil False Claims Act. 

Listen and learn the differences between suspension and debar...

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September 18, 2026 • 6 mins

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

Kevin and Paul continue the conversation from previous "who is the customer and how/when should I talk to them" kind of episodes.  Listen and learn customer roles as well as when each role has influence over the acquisition process.  The discussion continues with what can go wrong if the customer doesn't h...

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September 18, 2026 • 6 mins

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)

There are thousands of pages of Government acquisition regulations. Between the FAR and 30+ supplements, not to mention local guidance, how do you know what applies to you?

Kevin and Paul dive into the pile of regs and come up with answers.  Listen and learn to gain a little clarity on which regulations ...

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