The Contracting Experience - Episode 16: Jacob Kolb and Dustin Tatum on C-17 Training Systems Fair Opportunity Selection

This episode features a team that changed the way training systems and support were being competed in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Simulators Program Office. Program Manager Jacob Kolb and Contracting Officer Dustin Tatum led the C-17 Training Systems acquisition team in its use of Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.5 Fair Opportunity Selection procedures for a program valued over $900 million. They discuss how they tailored their selection criteria for a best value decision and how they also cut down the acquisition timeline significantly by documenting that the team may do interchanges with one, some, none or all offers. They stress the importance of following your process, communicating with stakeholders, and of course – having fun! Acronyms: FMS – Foreign Military Sales ASP – Acquisition Strategy Panel KC-135 BOSS – Boom Operator Simulator System TSA III – Training Systems Acquisition MAC – Multiple Award Contract IDIQ – Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity AFMC – Air Force Materiel Command EN – Evaluation Notice IN – Interchange PWS – Performance Work Statement SOW – Statement of Work AFLCMC – Air Force Life Cycle Management Center I/ITSEC – Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference ACE – Acquisition Center of Excellence Air Force Materiel Command Guiding Principles for Fair Opportunity Selection: https://www.dau.mil/cop/ace/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/cop/ace/DAU%20Sponsored%20Documents/Fair%20Opportunity%20Guiding%20Principles%20AFMC%20v2.6%20Final.docx&action=default&DefaultItemOpen=1 If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected].