course outline for half day training event

PIKES PEAK NCMA & COLORADO PTAC ½ DAY TRAINING EVENT DETAILS 12/09/2015

Hour 1

D. Timmons, Sherman and Howard – The Criminalization of the Government Contractor “The Dark Side”

In the past several years, bidding on and performing contracts with the federal government has become increasingly riskier. Numerous federal agencies have been charged with detecting and prosecuting contractors for hundreds of alleged violations of federal criminal statutes regarding the award and performance of contracts. For instance, DOJ recovered nearly $6 billion involving violations of the False Claims Act in 2014. All government contractors should be aware of the federal government’s increased emphasis on ferreting out fraud, waste, and abuse. An understanding of a contractor’s responsibilities to ensure violations do not occur and a contractor’s rights when it is targeted for alleged fraud is important for both company management and its employees

Durward “D” Timmons is a Member in Sherman & Howard’s Litigation and Trial Practice Group. D has nearly 40 years of experience representing corporate and individual clients in virtually all aspects of Government Contracts and related issues. He was a Presidential appointee during the Reagan administration serving as the Deputy General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force. In 1987, he founded Sherman & Howard’s Government Contract and since then has represented large corporations, small businesses and individuals in a wide range of issues involving the award, administration and disputes related to Federal contracts.

Bea Macliz, 21 SW Contracting – CPARS

Details to be announced

Hour 2

Mark Dudley, Dragonfly Proposals -‐ The Proposal Development Process

During this discussion Mark will present a high level approach to the proposal development process. We will cover the major phases of development to include kickoff meetings, proposal writing, color reviews, and production. The presentation will touch on some common mistakes, best practices, and resource planning techniques.


Mark Meagher, Dentons – Statutory and Regulatory Developments

Mr. Meagher has over 25 years of experience in counseling clients on cost allowability, allocability and recovery questions arising under their Federal government Contracts. He frequently assists clients in developing responses to audit findings issued by the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the Department of Energy Inspector General, and other government audit organizations. His counseling practice also involves providing advice concerning complex contract compliance and interpretation matters, including resolving difficult issues involving small business status, commercial item contracting and organizational conflicts of interest. Mr. Meagher has successfully pursued numerous equitable adjustments under contracts and certified claims under the Contract Disputes Act. His counseling involves clients across the Aerospace and Defense, Energy, Healthcare, Technology, Commercial Products, and Construction and Infrastructure sectors.

Bob Brown, Colorado PTAC – Building Pricing on Proposals

What’s the difference between cost and price? What’s a fee? What things go into Overhead, G & A, and Fringe? This class will address the basics of these important topics and point you to other resources to build you knowledge of government contract pricing. These topics form the basis of whether your proposal will be compliant, more importantly whether you can make a profit performing the contract. Bob Brown grew up in Connecticut and upon graduation from high school received an appointment to the US Air Force Academy where he received his Bachelors of Science in Aeronautical Engineering and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. After completing Air Force Pilot Training he flew a variety of aircraft, including the T-‐37 and T-‐38 training aircraft, multiple versions of the F-‐4 Phantom and the UV-‐18 Twin Otter. His duty locations included Texas, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Tennessee and Kansas. While at the AF Plant Representatives’ Office assigned to the Boeing-‐Wichita Aircraft Maintenance and Modification Facility he received a Master’s of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Wichita State University. He was an Operational Test and Evaluation Project Pilot for the F-‐4G Wild Weasel Special Mission Tactical Fighter and was involved in both hardware and software projects to upgrade the aircraft systems and weapons, including the AGM – 45 Shrike, AGM – 65 Maverick, and AGM – 88 HARM (High-‐ speed Anti-‐Radiation Missile). These assignments led to his DAWIA certification in Test and Evaluation (T&E), Systems Engineering and Program Management.


Bob completed a 29-‐year active duty career as the Director of Support at Arnold Engineering and Development Center in Tullahoma Tennessee. There he was responsible for all safety, security, logistics, facility management, environmental management and information management and data processing systems for the world’s largest aeronautical ground test facility. After retiring from the Air Force and settling back in Colorado Springs, he has worked project management, business development, capture, proposal management, and operations management for both small and large defense and federal contractors. He has formed two successful companies and led the capture and proposal of a $500M contract for a minority woman owned small business, their largest ever contract award. Bob is knowledgeable in all aspects of the Government acquisition process, including Joint Ventures, Veteran’s and Service Disabled Veteran’s business, the special Native American and Alaskan Native categories of set-‐aside rules, and comprehensive acquisition counseling to businesses seeking to sell products or services to local, state and federal government agencies. Bob joined the Colorado PTAC in January of 2013 and works from the Colorado Springs office.

Phil Seckman, Dentons – Commercial Item Determinations

Phillip Seckman represents clients concerning government and commercial contract matters. Mr. Seckman’s practice spans a broad range of subjects related to federal procurement law, state and local procurement law, and complex federal regulatory issues. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial item acquisitions, GSA schedule contracting, compliance and internal investigations, and bid protests (both federal and state). A significant component of his practice involves government contract cost allowability, proper cost accounting, and cost and pricing issues.

Mr. Seckman has significant experience in the assessment, presentation, and litigation of complex contract claims. Mr. Seckman also has significant experience assisting clients in establishing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with government contract requirements. When potential non-‐compliances have been identified, Mr. Seckman has assisted in the internal review and assessment of these issues and has aided clients in the preparation of appropriate disclosures when required. In the recent past, a significant component of his practice has been in support of counseling and litigation on behalf of large stability operations and construction contractors performing in the Middle East war zones. Mr. Seckman frequently writes and lectures regarding commercial item acquisitions, GSA schedule contracting, business systems, FAR Mandatory Disclosure Rule, and cost accounting issues.

Mr. Seckman has been recognized as a 2013, 2014 and 2015 “Rising Star” by Colorado Super Lawyers.


Cathy Kramer, Connect to DOT, Doing Business with CDOT

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) contracts out approximately $750 million every year to build and repair the state’s highway system. More than $75 million of those dollars will go to certified minority and woman-‐owned small businesses. From concrete and landscaping to civil engineering and environmental services, small and disadvantaged businesses are growing with CDOT. Come learn how you can do business with CDOT and get a piece of this pie. The session will also include a discussion of upcoming projects in the Front Range.

Cathy Kramer is the Statewide Program Manager for Connect2DOT, a partnership between CDOT and the Colorado SBDC Network which provides free, confidential consulting and training. She is also the owner of Caddis LLC, a business and marketing consulting firm specializing in the transportation industry. She has 25 years of marketing and management experience, working with a range of clients from start-‐ups to Fortune 500 companies. Cathy has been a consultant to CDOT for 15 years, providing technical assistance to the CDOT Civil Rights & Business Resource Center and statewide regions. She has an extensive understanding of CDOT contracting and certification programs and has assisted hundreds of firms in marketing their services to CDOT.

Hour 3

Ryan Klein, Sherman and Howard – The Ramifications of the Aurora CO VA Hospital Project

If you follow the news at all, you're aware of significant press coverage and controversy surrounding the VA Hospital in Aurora Colorado. Even if you're not involved in construction, the contracting ramifications of this project are significant and will have ripples throughout the contracting community for years to come. Get the latest on the project as well as how it could affect you and your organization.

Ryan Klein is a Member in Sherman & Howard’s Colorado Springs office. Ryan has over 10 years of experience representing clients in government contracts, construction, commercial litigation, and employment matters. Ryan’s experience with government contracts extends to all types of federal, state, and local procurements and covers the entire procurement process from award to claim/litigation.


Jack Srnec, Logistics Specialties Inc. The Basics of Finding Solicitations and Bidding (FBO and DIBBS)

Jack Srnec is an expert management consultant with an emphasis in assisting small manufacturers with winning government contracts, specifically with the Department of Defense under contract to the State of Oklahoma through the Center for Aerospace and Defense Supplier Quality (CADSQ) program. His efforts have contributed to the capture of 540 contracts to local aerospace firms over the past 7 years, generating $72M in new business to the state. Jack provides direct assistance and training to small business manufacturers across the full business development life cycle, beginning with identifying bid opportunities, preparing proposal responses, assisting with government processes and procedures, and technical issues, and following through with providing post-‐award support. He joined LSI in 2007 following a distinguished 40-‐year career with the U.S. Air Force, retiring as Senior Manager in Aircraft Depot Logistics, Acquisition and Maintenance, at Tinker Air Force Base, in which he managed all aspects of logistics for aircraft maintenance programs, including the KC-‐135, B-‐52, AWACS and B-‐1. LSI is a full-‐service business and economic development consulting firm serving both national and international clients in government and industry. With expertise in strategic planning, capture management, proposal development and program execution, LSI has been helping clients win since 1972. Learn more at www.lsiwins.com.

Small Business Administration, Updates on the SBA Small Business Programs

The federal small business preference programs are definite market advantages to any company that can gain certification. This session is designed to outline the requirements for each set-‐aside class of HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran-‐Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman-‐Owned Small Business and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-‐Owned Small Business (WOSB and EDWOSB), and Small Disadvantaged Small Business (SDB) to include the SBA 8(a) program. SBA staff will provide the instruction and will also address other areas of assistance the SBA provides such as lending and bonding guarantees.


Hour 4

Carol Tarter Peterson, CATP Enterprises -‐ Proposal topic

Shot gunning proposals rarely helps a company succeed in their market. This session will inform attendees of the strategies to use in determining which opportunities they should pursue and how to leverage their talents and address their shortcomings. Helping companies efficiently allocate proposal budgets will help them be healthier all around and enjoy a higher win rate on the opportunities they do pursue. Presented by Carol Tarter Peterson of CATP Enterprises

Department of Defense Small Business Panel, Discussion with the world’s largest buyers.

Mark Meagher, Dentons – Subcontract Clause Flowdowns – Issues and Pointers

Mr. Meagher has over 25 years of experience in counseling clients on cost allowability, allocability and recovery questions arising under their Federal government Contracts. He frequently assists clients in developing responses to audit findings issued by the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the Department of Energy Inspector General, and other government audit organizations. His counseling practice also involves providing advice concerning complex contract compliance and interpretation matters, including resolving difficult issues involving small business status, commercial item contracting and organizational conflicts of interest. Mr. Meagher has successfully pursued numerous equitable adjustments under contracts and certified claims under the Contract Disputes Act. His counseling involves clients across the Aerospace and Defense, Energy, Healthcare, Technology, Commercial Products, and Construction and Infrastructure sectors.


David Musgrave, State of Colorado – Access Colorado

Overview of the State Access Colorado Program. Learn how to find solicitations, bid and research pricing agreements that all state and local governments have access to.

David Musgrave is the Supplier Diversity Liaison for Colorado’s State Purchasing & Contracts Office. As the Supplier Diversity Liaison and the Program Manager for ACCESSColorado (Outreach program for suppliers), David works with all businesses wanting to sell goods or services to State Agencies, State Institutions of Higher Education and Local Governments. Any business, regardless of size or ownership, is provided access to Colorado State procurement. As a result, competition is increased, buyers have more options and the State receives better value, benefitting all Colorado residents.

David previously supported the local business community through his tenure as Vice President of Membership at the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He worked as Safety and Human Resource Manager for a growing trucking company -‐ launched an effective safety program and worked with management to develop and implement effective policies and procedures. In Monterrey Mexico, David worked for a manufacturer of pipe fittings and served as the main point of contact between customers (U.S. and Canada) and the plant.

David is a Colorado native and holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

course outline for half day training event

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