Introduction to Government Contracting Part II: Post Award Contract Administration

Government procurement provides significant opportunities to sell a vast range of goods and services to public entities. But, the government is not like a typical commercial customer. The rules applicable to entering into and performing a government contract are complex and significantly different that the rules of commercial contracting. Government contracting involves many laws, regulations and practices, which are constantly evolving, that pose serious economic, contractual, civil and criminal risks for all involved. Knowing those rules in advance, is essential to successfully becoming, surviving and thriving as a government contractor.

In this course, which is Part II of a two-part introduction to government contracts, attorneys Raymond Monroe, William "Billy" R. Martin, and Theodore "Ted" Ebert, address post-contract award issues, including contract administration, contract interpretation, the authority of government personnel, and key Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions and clauses, including standards of conduct, codes of conduct/ethics, socioeconomic provisions, domestic preferences, costs, cost accounting, the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act (formerly known as TINA), data rights, changes, claims, disputes, terminations, and mandatory disclosure. Part II also covers the unique audit, investigation, civil, criminal, suspension, and debarment risks facing government contractors, the importance of mitigating those risks, and the methodology for mitigating those risks through tailored corporate governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) "infrastructure."  

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the basic principles of what happens after the award of a federal government contract, including the basic principles of contract administration, contract interpretation, and the authority of government personnel
2. Identify the key contract clauses and regulations unique to federal government contracts
3. Recognize the unique Changes and Disputes Process applicable to federal government contracts
4. Grasp the unique audit, investigation, civil, criminal, suspension, and debarment risks facing federal government contractors
5. Discuss the importance of mitigating the risks of being a federal government contractor through integrated corporate governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) "infrastructure"