Now, State Dept! Now, HHS! Now, DHS and VA! On, SBA! On DOJ! On, DOT and DOD! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away [any hopes of time off] for all!
From DHS USCIS Falcon and TSA LE FAMS, to USFS National Geospatial Services, the NIH US Renal Data System Coordinating Center, and FDICS’s Acquisition System Next Generation (AS-NG) Contracting Writing (CW), a much busier than normal end of calendar year surge in solicitations across the Federal sector that carry an early 2023 due date, all but ensure that any planned holiday downtime for industry executives that support growth will be impacted in a significant way.
We would never claim that any contracting official’s heart is a few sizes too small (we know they do the best they can), and we get that few government leaders are going to cry for the poor small business CXO, capture executive or proposal manager that will miss time with their family to pursue one or more multi-million-dollar contracts. Government and industry leaders alike are all working hard, and the potential for some big gifts and a potential payoff down the road is clearly there for those firms who step up.
Does releasing an RFP or RFI over the holidays drive better competition? Does it deliver better long-term results for the many stakeholders?
The answer to these questions is best left to the acquisition leaders who are responsible for delivering results for their customers, and for the agency program officials charged with supporting the important mission of their respective agencies, to include the many constituents they serve.
All we at Orange Slices can say is we hope that all of our industry and government colleagues get their fair share of pudding and roast beast this holiday season, while squeezing in as much time as possible with family and friends. Christmas will come, regardless of what else goes on in boardrooms or offices, whatever work must be done on laptops or in cars, whatever deadlines may loom or revisions need to be made. Enjoy what you can, as much as you can.
Happy Holidays to all!
From the Grinch – “Christmas Day is in our grasp, as long as we have hands to clasp! Christmas Day will always be, just as long, as we have we! Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand!”
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