Federal Contractors Chamber of Commerce

10/31/2026

Special Announcement For Our-FB Caselaw Workshop Members Only..

Payment Reminder – November 2026
This is a reminder that the $25 monthly fee for FB–Case-Law Learning is due by close of business (COB) on November 3, 2026.

Workshop Schedule Adjustment -
In consideration of the upcoming holiday and anticipated travel schedules, the November workshop coursework will be adjusted accordingly.

November Focus Areas:

Case Study- https://cbca.gov/.../RUSSELL_07-25-24_7573__FRAMACO...

Knowing Who's Who: Understanding who has the authority to direct, authorize, and modify contract work.
- Don't Be Misled into Performing Free Work: Recognizing unauthorized requests for additional work and understanding your contractual rights and obligations.
- One (1) Understanding- Position Synopsis
- One (1) Q/A Session
- One (1) Knowledge Assessment Quiz
- One (1) Final Examination

Please ensure payment is submitted by the stated deadline.

Thank you for your continued participation and commitment to the workshop. It is an honor to be part of your federal contracting education journey and to contribute to strengthening your knowledge and understanding of the federal procurement environment.

Payment Method: Apple Pay is accepted.
-JG- See less

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10/31/2026

Caselaw Studies... KNOW WHO'S WHO IN YOUR CONTRACT PERFORMANCE.

Never assume a handshake, job title, or verbal direction constitutes authority to bind the Government. Only an authorized Government contracting officer acting within the scope of their delegated authority may enter into, modify, or otherwise obligate the Government under a contract. Before performing work outside the contract's existing requirements, obtain proper contractual authorization.

Work performed without authorization from an official with the requisite contracting authority may not be compensable, and the Government may have no legal obligation to pay for it. The financial risk may rest entirely with your company.

*Position Papers due 01-06-2026

Seehttps://cbca.gov/files/decisions/2024/RUSSELL_07-2524_7573__FRAMACO_INTERNATIONAL_INC%20(DECISION).pdf

See You In Class- Education Is Key🧐🧐

10/21/2026

Food4Thought- Case Law - Course Work Finding…
U.S. GAO - Shearwater Mission Support, LLC
Student Position/Comment
1. Did the agency intentionally advise the contractor to outbid himself [18 People]
2. Could you reasonably low bid as long as you are technically accepted [6 People]
3. Did the rules to evaluation change once the agency realized they may not get a preferred vendor” [9 People]
4. All awards must be “ fair and reasonable”, and price realism analysis serves to question whether a “Bid-Price” is too low, while a price reasonableness analysis focuses whether a “Bid Price” is too high [5 People]
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When awarding a FIXED PRICE contract, as here, agencies are required to determine that the price offered is “fair and reasonable”. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) § 15.402(a).
A PRICE REASONABLENESS analysis “focuses” primarily on whether the proposed prices are TOO HIGH, not (TOO LOW). Lily Timber Servs., B-411435.2, Aug. 5, 2015, 2015 CPD ¶ 246 at 3.

Although it is not required, an agency also may provide for a price realism analysis in a solicitation for award of a fixed-price contract to assess whether an offeror’s low price reflects a lack of understanding of the contract requirements, or risk inherent in an offeror’s proposed approach. See Milani Constr., LLC, B-401942, Dec. 22, 2009, 2010 CPD ¶ 87 at 4-5. “However, where the solicitation "does not contain" any criteria pertaining to realism or understanding, a determination that an offeror’s price on.. “a fixed-price contract” IS TOO LOW generally concerns [of] the OFFEROR’S RESPONSIBILITY, i.e., the offeror’s ability to successfully perform the contract at its offered price. See id.; J.A. Farrington Janitorial Servs., B-296875, Oct. 18, 2005, 2005 CPD ¶ 187 at 4. Agencies therefore MAY NOT conduct a price realism analysis WITHOUT first advising offerors that the agency intends to do so. See Lily Timber Servs., supra; Emergint Techs., Inc., B-407006, Oct. 18, 2012, 2012 CPD ¶ 295 at 6-7.

INDEED, ABSENT a solicitation provision providing for a price realism evaluation, agencies are neither required, NOR PREMITTED, to conduct one in awarding a fixed-price contract. ERIMAX, Inc., B-410682, Jan. 22, 2015, 2015 CPD ¶ 92 at 8.

Education Is Key...🧐🧐🧐 See You in Class

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10/12/2026

Food4Thought.. Great Lesson on why being educated in the use meaning and proper usage is so important.... Wait, did GAO just give away another Cheat Code?....[YEAP😁😁]

Shearwater Mission Support, LLC (Shearwater) of Anchorage, Alaska, protests the award of a contract to KJS Support Services Joint Venture, LLC (KJS), of Fort Worth, Texas, under request for proposals (RFP) No. N62473-17-R-3807, issued by the Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) for base operating support services at the Naval Air Facility (NAF) in El Centro, California. Shearwater protests that the agency engaged in [misleading discussions], in part because the discussions relied upon the agency’s [improper price realism analysis]. The protester also challenges various aspects of NAVFAC’s evaluation of both Shearwater’s and KJS’s proposals. We sustain the protest.

Education is Key-See you in class....

Shearwater Mission Support, LLC (Shearwater) of Anchorage, Alaska, protests the award of a contract to KJS Support Services Joint Venture, LLC (KJS)...

10/04/2026

Food4 Thought

"AI" Is Not "A" or "Your" Lawyer.......

As the U.S. Court of Federal Claims recently recognized, the use of AI programs to draft or assist in drafting legal briefs can--and seemingly often does--result in the citation of non‑existent cases. See Sanders v. United States, No. 24‑cv‑1301, __ Fed. Cl. __, 2025 U.S. Claims LEXIS 697, at *9‑13 (discussing cases where attorneys and pro se litigants have cited non‑existent, AI‑generated decisions). To the extent the protester used AI tools to help draft its responses to the requests for dismissal without engaging in any review of the material for accuracy--resulting in the irregularities discussed above--that practice wastes the time of all parties and GAO, and is at odds with the statutory mandate that our bid protest forum provide for “the inexpensive and expeditious resolution of protests.” 31 U.S.C. § 3554(a)(1).

While courts have sanctioned both attorneys and pro se litigants for citing non‑existent, AI‑generated decisions pursuant to their applicable rules of procedure, see id. at *11‑13 (collecting cases involving sanctions), those rules do not apply in this forum. Nevertheless, our Office necessarily reserves an inherent right to dismiss any protest and to impose sanctions against a protester, where a protester’s actions undermine the integrity and effectiveness of our process. BBGSRO Constr. S.R.L., B‑423091, B‑423091.2, Jan. 21, 2025, 2025 CPD ¶ 40 at 6‑8; Latvian Connection LLC, B‑413442, Aug. 18, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 194 at 6; PWC Logistics Servs. Co. KSC(c), B‑310559, Jan. 11, 2008, 2008 CPD ¶ 25 at 12. The inherent right of dispute forums to levy sanctions in response to abusive litigation practices is widely recognized and has been characterized by the Supreme Court as “ancient [in] origin,” and governed not by rule or statute, but by the control necessarily vested in a forum to manage its own affairs. Roadway Express, Inc. v. Piper et al., 447 U.S. 752, 765 (1980). Because, as discussed above, we dismiss this protest as academic, we do not exercise that right here. We do, however, advise the protester--and future parties that appear before this forum--that after a review of the totality of the circumstances surrounding the submission and content of pleadings submitted to our Office, the submission of filings with citations to non‑existent authority may result in the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

Education is Key 🧐🧐🧐

Raven Investigations & Security Consulting, LLC, a small business of Syracuse, Utah, protests the issuance of order No. 70CDCR25FR0000032 to Universal...

09/15/2026

SPECIAL NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE FCCoC FACEBOOK PAGE

YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE FEDERAL CONTRACTORS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (FCCoC) AS A MEMBER CONTRACTOR.

If you are a federal contractor, subcontractor, prospective federal contractor, or business actively engaged in the federal contracting marketplace and you are a member of this FCCoC Facebook community, we have something important to announce:

YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE FEDERAL CONTRACTORS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (FCCoC) AS A MEMBER CONTRACTOR.

This is more than simply being a member of a page. It means you have an opportunity to become part of a national business and education organization built exclusively around the federal contracting community.

WHAT YOUR FCCoC MEMBERSHIP CAN PROVIDE
As an FCCoC Member Contractor, you can gain access to opportunities and resources designed specifically for businesses operating in or entering the federal marketplace, including:

▪ Federal Contracting Education
Access to education focused on the rules, procedures, statutes, regulations, and processes that govern federal acquisition.
▪ Contractor Resources
Tools, information, educational resources, and practical guidance designed to help contractors better understand the federal acquisition environment.
▪ Case Law Education
Exposure to GAO decisions, federal procurement case law, and real-world acquisition disputes that can help contractors understand how the rules are actually applied.
▪ Contractor-to-Contractor Networking
Connect with other businesses operating within the federal contracting ecosystem—not simply general business networking.
▪ Federal Acquisition Intelligence
Stay informed about important developments affecting federal contractors, including regulatory, policy, acquisition, small-business, and contracting changes.
▪ Prime & Subcontractor Awareness
Better understand the relationship between prime contractors, subcontractors, agencies, contracting officers, and the federal acquisition process.
▪ Business Visibility
Become part of the FCCoC national contractor community and increase your visibility among businesses operating within the federal marketplace.
▪ Educational Opportunities
Receive access to information about FCCoC workshops, training programs, contractor roundtables, case-law education, conferences, and other educational opportunities.
▪ Advocacy Through Education™
FCCoC believes contractors are better positioned to protect their interests when they understand the rules governing the marketplace.

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING EVEN MORE IMPORTANT...
Membership does not make you a successful federal contractor.
Education does. - Understanding the acquisition process does.- Knowing how to read and apply the FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, statutes, regulations, and procurement decisions does. - Knowing what you can do, when you can do it, and under what authority you can do it matters.

That is why FCCoC was created.

We are not simply another organization telling businesses to "go get a government contract."

We are building a community where contractors can learn to understand the federal acquisition system they are attempting to compete in.

YOUR NEXT STEP
If you are already a member of this FCCoC Facebook community and you are a federal contractor—or intend to become one—
Take the next step and become an FCCoC Member Contractor.
Your FCCoC membership is complimentary.

Your education is an investment. Your understanding of the rules may ultimately be one of your company's most valuable federal contracting assets.

Unfortunately, the PDF is too large to share directly through this post. You can find the document in the ""Files” folder of our Facebook group, Federal School of Contractors.
Alternatively, feel free to email me at [[email protected]], and I’ll be happy to forward it to you directly.

Welcome to the Federal Contractors Chamber of Commerce.

09/07/2026

IF YOU CHOOSE EDUCATION OVER INFORMATION AND MOTIVATION, ENJOY THE LESSON ...

Topic for discussion... Dealing with Ambiguous Solicitations

Example: Ambiguous Solicitation - Imagine an RFP says:

“The contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform the required services. Personnel shall possess appropriate experience and qualifications necessary to successfully perform the requirement.”

At first glance, that sounds reasonable. But now ask:

What does “qualified” mean?

The solicitation never defines:

What education is required?
How many years of experience?
What certifications are required?
What specific skills must the employee possess?
Does “experience” mean Federal experience, commercial experience, or either?
Does the Government require a particular certification?
Will the Government evaluate the qualifications as pass/fail or comparatively?
Must the proposed personnel meet these requirements at proposal submission or only at the time of performance?

Now imagine Offeror A interprets the requirement to mean three years of relevant commercial experience. Offeror B interprets it to mean five years of Federal experience plus a specific professional certification. Both interpretations could potentially be reasonable based on the solicitation language.

That's where the problem begins.

GAO generally considers a solicitation ambiguous when it is susceptible to two or more reasonable interpretations. The interpretation does not have to be the most reasonable one; the protester must be able to demonstrate that its interpretation is reasonable and supported by the solicitation as a whole.

Ok, suppose the same RFP says:

“Past performance will be evaluated based on contracts performed within three years prior to the closing date.” But somewhere else it says: “The Government will evaluate contracts performed within three years prior to the closing date through the date of award.”

Now you have an internal conflict.

Does the three-year period stop at proposal closing, or does it continue through award?

That is much closer to a classic patent ambiguity because the conflicting language is sitting right there in the solicitation. GAO has found this type of internal inconsistency can constitute a patent ambiguity.

The Lesson here...

DO NOT READ A SOLICITATION JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS. READ IT LOOKING FOR WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO CLEARLY SAY.

Understand the important distinction:

Patent ambiguity: The problem should be apparent from the face of the solicitation. Generally, the offeror must raise it before the deadline for submitting proposals or risk having the protest considered untimely.

Latent ambiguity: The ambiguity is more subtle and may not become apparent until later in the procurement or during performance.

Most importantly, you cannot simply notice an obvious ambiguity, make your own assumption, submit your proposal, and later complain because the Government interpreted it differently. GAO has repeatedly emphasized the offeror's obligation to seek clarification of a patent ambiguity before proposal submission.

If two reasonable people can read the same solicitation and reasonably arrive at two different requirements, STOP. Don't guess. Ask the question "before" you bid.

More than 100 opportunities to learn, strengthen your knowledge, and sharpen your Federal Contracting skills. See you there..

Send a message to learn more

09/04/2026

Case Law Studies ... Is there any possible recourse when your bid is
removed from competitive range 😡😡😡😡😡 ...... "How a Competitive Range Determination Violated the FAR"..

See Competitive Range Determination Violated the FAR, Court Finds....By Aron C. Beezley & Gabrielle A. Sprio on May 9, 2025
Posted in Contractors, Federal Contractors, GAO, Government Contracts

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims recently issued a significant opinion in Gemini Tech Servs., LLC v. United States, holding that the Army’s failure to follow required procedures under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in establishing a competitive range for a logistics support procurement at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, prejudiced the protestor and warranted injunctive relief. The decision highlights critical compliance responsibilities under FAR Part 15 and reinforces the limitations on agency discretion during negotiated procurements..........
https://www.buildsmartbradley.com/2025/05/competitive-range-determination-violated-the-far-court-finds/

Quiz will be posted on FB- The school of federal contracting - 9/9/2026. No formal class for this workshop😁😁

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims recently issued a significant opinion in Gemini Tech Servs., LLC v. United States, holding that the Army’s failure to

09/03/2026

SOMEONE HAS TO SAY IT ..
HERE’S THE TRUTH ABOUT FEDERAL CONTRACTING THAT MANY PEOPLE DON’T WANT YOU TO HEAR:

NOBODY IS COMING TO SAVE YOUR BUSINESS. Not a mentor. Not a coach. Not a consultant. Not an influencer. Not a certification. And certainly not a webinar. If your federal contracting strategy depends on someone else opening the door, YOU DON’T HAVE A STRATEGY. YOU HAVE A DEPENDENCY.

IN MY OPINION SBA, APEX, SBDC, AND OTHER GOVCON consultants, coaches, and industry experts HAVE VERY LITTLE VALUE to you. They thrive most when you confuse their information with a education. If you still need someone to explain every solicitation, every requirement, every opportunity, and every next move, you haven't built independence. YOU’VE BUILT RELIANCE. If you don’t know the rules processes, procedures, statues and laws of federal contracting, PUT DOWN THE PHONE AND PICK UP THE BOOK.

🔴 THE BLUE PILL: Get registered. Get certified. Find a mentor. Network. Wait for the “right” opportunity.
🔵 THE RED PILL: LEARN THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION SYSTEM. Learn the statutes. Learn the FAR. Learn the regulations. Learn solicitations. Learn evaluation criteria. Learn compliance. Learn how agencies buy.

STOP MEMORIZING ACRONYMS AND START UNDERSTANDING THE RULES. Because a certification doesn't make you competitive. A UEI doesn't make you competitive. A CAGE Code doesn't make you competitive. A CAPABILITY STATEMENT DOESN'T MAKE YOU COMPETITIVE. They may position you to participate—but KNOWLEDGE, CAPABILITY, COMPLIANCE, EX*****ON, AND COMPETITIVE POSITIONING are what help you compete.

And here's the part business owners need to understand: WHEN THE CONTRACT IS ON THE LINE, IT'S YOUR NAME ON THE COMPANY.

When the proposal fails, when compliance becomes an issue, when performance goes sideways, or when the government demands answers, your mentor doesn't own the consequences. Your coach doesn't own them. Your influencer doesn't own them. YOU DO. Stop confusing ACCESS with EXPERTISE. CERTIFICATION with CAPABILITY. ACTIVITY with PROGRESS. GET OUT OF THE FEDERAL CONTRACTING MATRIX. Stop waiting for somebody to “show you the way.” LEARN THE WAY. Stop asking who can get you a contract. LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY, QUALIFY, PURSUE, AND COMPETE FOR OPPORTUNITIES. Stop outsourcing your understanding of the business. BECOME THE EXPERT IN YOUR OWN COMPANY.

🔴 STOP DEPENDING. START LEARNING. KNOW THE RULES. MASTER THE MARKET. BUILD THE CAPABILITY. TAKE CONTROL. THE MOST DANGEROUS FEDERAL CONTRACTOR ISN’T THE ONE WITH THE MOST CONNECTIONS—IT’S THE ONE WHO KNOWS THE RULES TO THE GAME.

See you in class🧐🧐🧐

08/09/2026

BECOME A FCCoC AMBASSADOR - Independent Contractor [1099] | Remote / Work From Home

Engage the Market. Build Relationships. Create Opportunity(FCCoC)

The Federal Contractors Chamber of Commerce (FCCoC) is seeking motivated business professionals to serve as FCCoC Ambassadors in their local communities. FCCoC Ambassadors are the organization's external growth and relationship-development representatives. Ambassadors help expand FCCoC's visibility, build relationships with businesses and organizations, introduce companies to federal contracting resources and opportunities, and generate qualified interest in FCCoC membership, programs, events, and training.

This is more than a networking position.

The FCCoC Ambassador is a relationship builder, community connector, business development professional, and representative of the FCCoC brand.

Position Type
• Status: Independent Contractor — 1099
• Work Location: Remote / Work From Home
• Territory: Assigned city, region, or market
• Schedule: Flexible; self-directed
• Compensation: Performance-based contractor compensation
• Travel: Local networking and business events may be required or encouraged

Reports To: FCCoC Leadership / Ambassador Program Director -

FCCoC Ambassadors operate at the intersection of community, contracting, and commerce. Their mission is to create meaningful connections between FCCoC and businesses that could benefit from federal contracting education, networking, resources, relationships, and membership.

Ambassadors are expected to:
• Increase awareness of FCCoC within their assigned market
• Build relationships with business owners and executives
• Identify companies that may benefit from FCCoC membership
• Introduce qualified prospects to FCCoC
• Promote FCCoC events, programs, training, and initiatives
• Attend or participate in relevant business and community events
• Develop strategic referral relationships
• Maintain consistent communication with prospects and contacts
• Represent FCCoC professionally and accurately
• Document activities, introductions, referrals, and results
Ambassadors do not simply collect business cards. They create relationships that can lead to measurable business outcomes.

For more info see the Ambassadors Tab in files…..