Federal Construction Contracting Made Easy

Federal Construction Contracting Made Easy

by Stan Uhlig
Released February 2012
Publisher(s): Berrett-Koehler Publishers
ISBN: 9781567263725

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Book description

Follow the Path to Success in Federal Construction Contracting
Opportunities abound in federal government construction contracting, but the devil is in the details. Companies performing work for the federal government must plan and operate based on very specific guidelines and regulations. Knowing how to work within those strict parameters makes the difference between success and failure.
Federal Construction Contracting Made Easy is your road map to successfully identifying, planning, and completing government construction projects. This book guides you in finding opportunities, preparing winning proposals, and staying in compliance on construction projects. It is the one resource you will need to work in this competitive arena. The book provides guidance on:
• Understanding the Federal Acquisition Regulation and knowing when and how to use it for your benefit and protection
• Preparing quality control and safety programs that comply with federal regulations and processes
• Determining when a change order is required and how to price and properly process
• Identifying a claim and knowing how to process it
Federal Construction Contracting Made Easy is an invaluable resource for construction firms, architect/engineer firms, subcontractors, and vendors that want to do business with the federal government.
Plus! A handy glossary of terms is included.
Bonus: Federal Construction Contracting Made Easy: A Field Guide to the FAR is available as a supplement for project superintendents.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. About the Author
  5. Contents
  6. Preface
  7. Chapter 1. Finding and Understanding the Solicitation
    1. Finding Federal Projects to Bid On
      1. Using FedBizOpps
      2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
      3. Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
    2. Understanding the Solicitation
      1. Basic Statutory and Regulatory Provisions
      2. Acquisition Methods
      3. Parts of a Solicitation
      4. Amendments
      5. Submitting Questions
      6. Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)
  8. Chapter 2. Building a Strategy and Developing a Proposal
    1. The Strategy
      1. Resources and Capabilities
      2. Size, Type, and Location of the Project
      3. Evaluation Criteria
    2. Risk Management
      1. Risk Management Review Process
      2. Risk Management Listing
    3. RFP Requirements/Proposal Preparation
      1. Two-Phase Design-Build
      2. Bidder Eligibility
      3. Bid Feasibility
      4. Self-Assessment
      5. Competition
      6. Preparing the Proposal
    4. Protest after Award
    5. Surety Bonds
    6. Insurance
    7. Taxes
    8. Utilization of Small Business Concerns
  9. Chapter 3. Contracts
    1. Types of Contracts
      1. Fixed-Price Contracts
      2. Cost-Reimbursement Contracts
      3. Incentive Contracts
      4. Indefinite-Delivery Contracts
      5. Time-and-Materials, Labor-Hours, and Letter Contracts
    2. Types of Contracting Officers
    3. Contracting Officer’s Representative
  10. Chapter 4. Design
    1. Requirements for Registration of Designers
    2. Correlating Design to RFP and Proposal
    3. Shop Drawings
    4. Specifications and Drawings
      1. Partnering and Project Progress Processes
      2. Stages of Design Submittal
      3. Specifications
      4. Drawings
      5. Design Analysis
    5. Design Quality Control (DQC)
      1. Acceptance of Plan
      2. Notification of Changes
    6. DrChecks Design Review and Checking System
      1. Procedures
      2. Tracking Design Review Comments
    7. Preliminary Construction/Design Progress Schedule
    8. Fast-Tracking
      1. Why the USACE Uses Design-Build
      2. Fast-Track Construction
    9. Understanding Military-Specific Codes
    10. Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) Requirements
    11. LEED
    12. Procedure for Obtaining Variances after Design Is Complete
  11. Chapter 5. Quality Control
    1. Contractor Quality Control Requirements
    2. Contractor Quality Control Plan (CQCP)
    3. Preconstruction Submittals
    4. Submittal Register
    5. Three-Phase Quality Control Program
      1. Preparatory Phase
      2. Initial Phase
      3. Follow-up Phase
      4. Additional Preparatory and Initial Phases
    6. Quality Control Manager’s Qualifications and Certification
    7. Inspector’s Qualifications
    8. RMS/QCS
  12. Chapter 6. Safety
    1. Safety Program and Safety Plans
    2. Accident Prevention Plan
    3. EM 385-1-1 Safety Manual
    4. Contractor and Subcontractor Safety Training Requirements
    5. Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA)
    6. Environmental Protection Plan
  13. Chapter 7. Contract Clauses
    1. FAR Clauses by Reference vs. Full Text
    2. Professional and Consultant Service Costs
    3. Security
    4. Liquidated Damages
    5. Order of Precedence
    6. Price Evaluation Preferences
    7. Small Business Subcontracting Plan
      1. Clause Inclusion and Flowdown
      2. Recordkeeping
    8. Davis-Bacon Act (Prevailing Wages)
      1. General FAR Requirements
      2. Who Is Allowed to Work
      3. Site of the Work
      4. Wage Determination
      5. Pay Determination
      6. Work Hours
      7. Payrolls and Basic Records
      8. Apprentices and Trainees
      9. Withholding of Funds
      10. Contract Flowdown
    9. Contract Flowdown
    10. Buy American Act
    11. Prompt Payment Act
      1. Progress Payments
      2. Final Payments
      3. Payment Requests—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
      4. Interest Penalty
      5. Prompt Payment for Subcontractors
    12. Disputes
    13. The Miller Act
      1. Requirements
      2. Alternatives to Payment Bonds
      3. Who Is Covered by the Miller Act
      4. Who Is Not Covered by the Miller Act
      5. Getting a Copy of the Contractor’s Bond
      6. Non-payment Recourse under the Miller Act
      7. Waiver of Right to Civil Action
      8. Coverage for Taxes in the Performance Bond
    14. Work by the Contractor
    15. Differing Site Conditions
    16. Site Investigations and Conditions Affecting the Work
    17. Use and Possession Prior to Completion
    18. Schedules
    19. Suspension of Work
    20. Changes
    21. Government-Furnished Property
    22. Inspection of Construction
    23. Warranty of Construction
    24. Value Engineering
    25. Default
    26. Indian Incentive
    27. Government Rights
    28. Levies on Contract Payments
  14. Chapter 8. Modification Proposals
    1. Modifications
      1. Modification Pricing Guidelines
      2. Modification Format and Profit Calculation
    2. Indirect Cost Allowability
    3. Equipment Pricing for Modifications
    4. Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications
    5. Modification Markup Meeting
    6. Guidelines for Pricing Modifications
    7. Schedules (FRAGNET)
  15. Chapter 9. Claims
    1. Requests for Equitable Adjustment
    2. Documentation Required for a Claim
    3. Notifications
    4. Contracting Officer’s Final Decision
    5. Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals
  16. Acronyms
  17. Government Contracts Glossary
  18. Index

Product information

  • Title: Federal Construction Contracting Made Easy
  • Author(s): Stan Uhlig
  • Release date: February 2012
  • Publisher(s): Berrett-Koehler Publishers
  • ISBN: 9781567263725