I want information about creating, and examples of, "Cost Build-Ups"
for GSA Professional Engineering Services (PES Schedule) contracts.
Especially for Small or Veteran-Owned Businesses. SIC 871.x SINs.
NAICS 541330, 541511, 541512, 541613, 541614, 541690 Services. |
Request for Question Clarification by
websearcher-ga
on
26 Jan 2003 11:23 PST
Hello pbarrett:
I was not able to find the information you requested online, but I
have sent off some emails to people who should be able to help us out.
I will let you know if/when I hear back from them.
Thanks.
websearcher-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
websearcher-ga
on
27 Jan 2003 12:46 PST
Hello pbarrett:
Just a quick update...
I have established contact with the proper people to find your
information. I am in the process of determining (with them) the best
way to proceed. This may involve the transfer of some documents and/or
you calling them directly to be "stepped through the process".
Please stay tuned for further details.
websearcher-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
websearcher-ga
on
27 Jan 2003 15:18 PST
Hello pbarrett:
Since it is after business hours, we will have to wait until tomorrow
to find out more from my contact.
Good news - the person I am speaking to was independently confirmed as
the "best person to go to" by a fellow researcher. So, we have the
right person! If you would prefer for me to just provide the person's
contact information for you, I can post that as an answer tonight.
Otherwise, I'm only to happy to provide whatever intermediary services
I can. Your call.
Thanks.
websearcher-ga
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Clarification of Question by
pbarrett-ga
on
27 Jan 2003 18:07 PST
I'm not sure I know what to provide as "clarification" here. This is
the first time I've used this Google service, and I have concerns
about "scope". Perhaps my original question was too broad, or too
vague?
In general, I find Federal paperwork onerous and time-comsuming, with
a specialized vocabulary, and more exceptions than rules. Others have
done this before me; I see little point in replowing the ground. So I
seek a roadmap, and examples; perhaps "templates" and a dictionary?
I'm a Licensed Engineer on the West Coast. I develop circuits,
software, and systems. Think "embedded systems" and "computer
engineer", but Licensed. I'm also a published author and Dale Carnegie
graduate; an unusual blend.
I find that, for the GSA, this work seems to involve several "SINs"
and at least two, disparate types of GSA contract: PES and IT. The two
CAN be combined into one CORP contract, but the GSA requires that I
first complete the other two. Sigh. )From my POV this is insanity,
because hardware is just frozen software. But anyway...)
Yes, "receiving documents" would seem to be an appropriate part of a
complete response to this question, assuming they were on-target.
Yes, speaking to someone else might also be an appropriate part of a
complete response, via phone or email. It would depend upon their
expertise, whether or not I also had to pay them separately, and the
cost, of course.
I already have the latest GSA PE Schedule (application), and I am
aware that the FAR (Federal Acquisiton Regulations) contain
information about creating Cost Build-Ups (CBUs), if one wishes to
wade through the lingo.
I asked for "examples" because I seek a template for a CBU for a
Small, Veteran-Owned PES business. If no template, then one or more
completed CBUs would be desirable.
Being "stepped through the process" would also be desirable, of
course. This is what I anticipate the documents might accomplish.
Most industries have Rules of Thumb (ROTs). One such ROT is that a
consultant usually must charge a rate that equals 2x or 3x his or her
normal salary, to account for overhead and benefits. But what is the
underlying justification for this ROT? Does this apply to Federal
contracts? Are there other ROTs for CBUs? What are their underlying
justifications?
Does this help?
Best Regards.
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Request for Question Clarification by
websearcher-ga
on
27 Jan 2003 18:18 PST
Hi pbarrett:
Thanks for the in-depth clarification. It is of great help. I share
your frustration of government paperwork.
I will try to get as much in the way of documentation and explanation
as I can before I send you to my contact(s) in person. This process
may take a few days - but we'll do what we can.
Thanks again.
websearcher-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
websearcher-ga
on
27 Jan 2003 18:19 PST
P.S. I'm 99% certain that it will not cost you additional money (other
than maybe phone charges) to speak with the contact I am currently
corresponding with.
websearcher-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
pbarrett-ga
on
28 Jan 2003 09:08 PST
Excellent. BTW: I am currently in contact with a "Contracting Officer"
employed by the GSA. In general, I have accessed that (huge) system,
CCR, & Pro-Net.
My purpose here is to locate private-side (presumably) resources to
save time & effort, and to reduce risk. I'm not adamantly opposed to
additional cost, but I must track it carefully.
Surf to http://www.barrettengineering.com for more of my background,
and to contact me.
Regards,
pbarrett-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
websearcher-ga
on
28 Jan 2003 09:12 PST
Hi pbarrett:
Oh, I didn't know you were already in contact with a GSA Contracting
Officer...that's who I'm in touch with as well...
The name of the person I'm emailing with - who was also recommended to
me by another researcher with experience in this field, is:
Eddie Murphy
Contracting Officer
Services Acquisition center
Professional Service Contracts Division
(703) 305-3376
Is this the same contact you have?
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Request for Question Clarification by
websearcher-ga
on
28 Jan 2003 12:06 PST
Hello pbarrett:
Well, I heard back from Eddie Murphy at GSA. Here is my latest email
to him:
********************
Some new questions have come to light with my client. Can you address
them
for us as well, please?
Most industries have Rules of Thumb (ROTs). One such ROT is that a
consultant usually must charge a rate that equals 2x or 3x his or her
normal salary, to account for overhead and benefits. But what is the
underlying justification for this ROT? Does this apply to Federal
contracts? Are there other ROTs for CBUs? What are their underlying
justifications?
**************************
His reply was:
**************************
Darren, I have never heard of anything like this, consultant rates are
established like all other rates, they must be determined to be fair
and
reasonable. The test is, would a prudent business person procuring
this
type services pay this price ? If the answer is yes, you are OK, if
no,
we would not award those rates. We will also require invoices to
document
the rates billed to commercial customers or government agencies.
Also your question concerning cost build-up may be found in the FAR,
Part
31. The items that we (Government) are interested in is as follow:
Direct
Labor, Overhead, General and Administrative, and Industrial Funding
Fee (1%
fee to GSA to cover contract administration costs), these four items
make-up the Total Cost. Accounting I and II should be a good source
of
information.
************************
You'll note that he didn't send any examples as previously
requested...
Part 31 of FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) can be found at:
http://www.arnet.gov/far/current/html/Subpart_31_1.html
As well, I was able to find you some information about technical
assistance to veterans trying to get government contracts:
Department of Veterans Affairs - Center for Veterans Enterprise
http://www.vetbiz.va.gov/
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
http://www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm
I realize that this most likely does not constitute a "full answer" to
your query. However, I'm not sure I can find anything more for you. If
you would like another researcher to try and answer your question more
thoroughly, just let me know and I'll open it up to the rest. If this
information is sufficient for you, let me know and I'll post it as an
answer.
Thanks.
websearcher-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
pbarrett-ga
on
30 Jan 2003 08:00 PST
Clarification of Question by pbarrett-ga on 29 Jan 2003 09:02 PST
It's interesting that you found Mr. Murphy, too. He is but one of many
COs with the GSA. His response to you mirrors those to me, from him
and others.
Bear in mind that his job is to negotiate *for the gov't*. He is a
very nice person, and quite helpful, but he sits on the other side of
the table. The purpose of my Google question was to obtain info from
someone on *my* side of the table, and to minimize my work by
obtaining examples or templates.
So, my question is not at all answered, and yet we seem to have
reached an end.
[Question about partial compensation removed from here by Google
Customer.]
Regards.
pbarrett-ga
-----------------------------
Request for Question Clarification by websearcher-ga on 29 Jan 2003
09:29 PST
Hi pbarrett:
Thanks for the clarification. I am going to send a message to another
researcher here who might be able to provide you with more of an
*industry* vs. *government* perspective on this. So, please don't
close out this question quite yet...
[Response about partial compensation removed from here by Google
Customer.]
I am sorry I was not able to bring down any of the barriers you have
already faced - it must be very frustrating for you.
websearcher-ga
----- Original Message -----
From: Google Answers Editors <answers-editors@google.com>
To: Google Customer
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 5:36 PM
Subject: Your comment/clarification on question #148794
>
> Hello pbarrett-ga,
>
> For your own privacy and protection, we have removed your comment on
question ID 148794, titled "Seeking info about "Cost Build-Ups" for
GSA PES Schedules", because it contained personal contact information.
Please edit and repost your content.
>
> Thank you for using Google Answers!
>
> The Google Answers Team
--------------------------
Google's Customer reposted the above entries to this thread because
Google Staff edited it too severely. Staff removed text which
MATERIALLY AFFECTED THE OUTCOME OF THIS QUESTION, AND THE RESULTING
BILLABILITY. Google's Customer finds this objectionable. Staff claimed
this was done to protect Google Customer, but Customer is an adult who
disagrees with this reasoning and concludes that Staff are Democrats.
Google Customer is not pleased...
pbarrett-ga - Google Customer
|
