Who we are .. What we do.
The Contract Coach is a Professional Consultancy that specializes in assisting business with (specifically) Federal Government contracts and proposals.
That's why we advise clients starting in the proposal phase - not only on contract specific matters but also business and performance factors that must be considered before submitting an offer. We are project management certified PMP's with contracts credentials. We know planning, scheduling, budgeting, estimating, and reporting - including the bEarned Value Management System (EVMS). Actually, we helped write the book on that topic - The NDIA Handbook on Contracting with an Earned Value Management Requirement.
We are also subject matter experts on government contracting and procurement. We know the FAR, DFARS, and other agency supplements.inside-out. We have also contributed to 'writing the book' on that topic as well with contributions to the NCMA Contract Management Body of Knowledge and nearly 25 published articles and seminar presentations on various contract management topics.
We believe in knowing the rules, following the rules, and where necessary choosing the right rule for the situation. We've been around the block numerous times and have a long list of techniques that have been successfully applied over the years to avoid issues where possible or resolve them when they arise
Our Specialty
The Contract Coach specializes in proposals and government contracts. We work with your team during the proposal process to win the business and then stay on to assist with project management, contract management, and issue management.Our Approach
Our preferred approach is "Plan the work; work the plan". In other words we believe the success of a contract hinges on pre-award planning, due diligence, and making informed decisions - all before signing on the dotted line.That's why we advise clients starting in the proposal phase - not only on contract specific matters but also business and performance factors that must be considered before submitting an offer. We are project management certified PMP's with contracts credentials. We know planning, scheduling, budgeting, estimating, and reporting - including the bEarned Value Management System (EVMS). Actually, we helped write the book on that topic - The NDIA Handbook on Contracting with an Earned Value Management Requirement.
We are also subject matter experts on government contracting and procurement. We know the FAR, DFARS, and other agency supplements.inside-out. We have also contributed to 'writing the book' on that topic as well with contributions to the NCMA Contract Management Body of Knowledge and nearly 25 published articles and seminar presentations on various contract management topics.
When Things Don't go as Planned
We are have over 30-years experience in the intricacies of government contracts. Through that experience have learned the importance of communication, negotiation, and a technique called 'rule-book jiujitsu' i.e., knowing the right rules to apply to achieve the desired results.We believe in knowing the rules, following the rules, and where necessary choosing the right rule for the situation. We've been around the block numerous times and have a long list of techniques that have been successfully applied over the years to avoid issues where possible or resolve them when they arise
Is it a Contract or is it a Project?
From our perspective it's BOTH. We approach every proposal and contract from the standpoint of plan the work - then work the plan. This means we apply a consistent set of processes, procedures, and tools that guarantee success. Large or small it pretty much the same. We recognize that successful contract performance means correctly assessing the work to be done in the proposal phase, properly estimating costs and schedule, then communicating that information to the customer. If the contract is awarded, we deliver what we promised by following the plan from our proposal. Hence our mantra of plan the work - work the plan.
Sometimes the plan means having to develop detailed planning documents and artifacts to help our customer understand our approach. Gantt charts, work breakdown structures, detailed cost or pricing information - it's all in a day's work.
The contract coach marries the best of project management (PMP certified) and Contracts Management (CFCM and CPCM certified) with 30 years of hands-on experience.
Sometimes the plan means having to develop detailed planning documents and artifacts to help our customer understand our approach. Gantt charts, work breakdown structures, detailed cost or pricing information - it's all in a day's work.
The contract coach marries the best of project management (PMP certified) and Contracts Management (CFCM and CPCM certified) with 30 years of hands-on experience.
That's why serious competitors assemble a team of experts to create their proposals. These teams contain specialists in the technical aspects of your business and your proposed solution to the government's need plus Contracts, Cost and Pricing, Risk Management, writers and editors.
Each expert has their own domain and creates the various inputs needed to fulfill each of the solicitation requirements. All of this takes place under the watchful eye of a proposal manager who keeps one eye on the clock and the other on the team's output.
Finding qualified team members with the right experience and capabilities is not easy. Fortunately, the Contract Coach can fill the gaps in your team with any of the below skills or specialties:
- Talented and highly productive writer
- Highly experienced cost and pricing estimator with ProPricer experience
- Program Management expert with scheduling and risk management expertise and tools
Project Scheduling and Financial Controls
Planning includes a detailed project (or proposal) schedule, budgeting, and monitoring of actual vs. planned performance. Collectively these elements comprise project scheduling and financial control and are the crux of any successful project management plan or execution strategy.
Ideally, the schedule and budget are developed as a component of the proposal effort and then executed during project performance. The Contract Coach has 30-years experience doing exactly that on successful projects for clients. The key elements of this process are:
- - Decomposition and analysis of requirements
- - A fully developed Work Breakdown Structure including resource loading
- - A detailed cost budget organized by WBS element and Contract Line Item Number (CLIN).
- - Analysis of current performance vs. the plan and detailed root-cause analysis of variances.
The Contract Coach has the skills and the expertise you are looking for.
Skills that encompass a deep understanding of U.S. Government contracts (National Contract Management Association certified as a CFCM and CPCM) coupled with a PMP certification and acceptance by the American Association of Cost Engineers International as a Certified Cost Technician. This combination of skills along with nationally recognized expertise in project management, earned value, and quantitative risk management provide clients with a totally integrated view of their contract and project environment.
The Contract Coach can work seamlessly with your proposal or execution team using advanced tools like ProPricer and RiskyProject to tie all the pieces (and data) together to produce risk adjusted schedule and cost estimates.
Skills that encompass a deep understanding of U.S. Government contracts (National Contract Management Association certified as a CFCM and CPCM) coupled with a PMP certification and acceptance by the American Association of Cost Engineers International as a Certified Cost Technician. This combination of skills along with nationally recognized expertise in project management, earned value, and quantitative risk management provide clients with a totally integrated view of their contract and project environment.
The Contract Coach can work seamlessly with your proposal or execution team using advanced tools like ProPricer and RiskyProject to tie all the pieces (and data) together to produce risk adjusted schedule and cost estimates.
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The Contract Coach is a Veteran Owned Small Business
Certified by:
The Department of Veteran's Affairs
