Re-competes: Getting the Most From Your Boots on the Ground
by Sheryl Birsky
When preparing to re-compete your contract, the best intelligence is from your project team. This requires an honest look at activities by the people who do the work and who have everyday access to the customer. We recommend creating a Project Boots-on-the-Ground (BOTG) Questionnaire. Responses to the BOTG survey should be completed by all team members—not just the managers—and should be submitted to corporate management anonymously to allow for forthright information without fear of repercussion.
Only the contract team will know the details of how you have performed; the initiatives you have put in place to deliver improved services; the issues you have overcome; and the details of how the contract and requirements work in practice. On multi-year contracts, even the contract team may have forgotten details and lessons learned. This survey for the contract staff may identify the true temperature of operations, what the customer is thinking, and the value-adds that other bidders will not know.
Remember, do NOT use the government e-mail system or server to discuss or transmit any material related to the re-compete or a proposal; use your corporate or personal e-mail systems.
If you would like a sample of SJ&A’S Boots-on-the-Ground Questionnaire, or to discuss ways that SJ&A can assist in developing your re-compete proposal, contact Sheryl at 202-785-5811 or e-mail her at Sheryl@sidjaffe.com.
