The Contracting Experience

Maj. Gen. Mark Slominski, the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander of Air Force Materiel Command, joins the podcast to provide a unique look into the world of contracting through the eyes of a leader with a rich and diverse background.

Slominski shares insights from his current role at AFMC and reflects on his 14 years of experience as a warranted Administrative Contracting Officer with the Army Corps of Engineers. He provides a detailed explanation of the warranting process for degreed engineers, a practice that may be unfamiliar to many in the contracting field.

The discussion also delves into a remarkable success story: the expedited restoration of a critical Air Force flying mission at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Slominski breaks down the elements that led to what he describes as, "the most effective synchronization of acquisition strategy, contract formation, source selection, and construction execution," he has ever witnessed. This project serves as a powerful case study in how to achieve exceptional alignment and drive mission success.

Listeners will also hear Slominski's valuable advice for both contractors and the government. He discusses common pitfalls for contractors, offers suggestions for improving performance, and shares his thoughts on how the contracting process can be adapted to foster innovation.

For those just starting their careers in federal contracting, Slominski provides guidance on the skills, knowledge, and experiences that are most critical for success. He emphasizes the importance of gaining a deep understanding of the missions they support and encourages a career path that embraces both specialization and a breadth of experience.

Tune into this insightful episode to hear a unique perspective on contracting, leadership, and the vital role of collaboration in achieving mission success.


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Host Rob Lorton sits down with Kyle Roberts, Chief of the Air Force Labor Advisors, to shine a light on an area of contracting that is often overlooked but absolutely critical—labor law compliance.

During the conversation, Kyle shares some of the common mistakes contracting officers run into when applying labor laws. From assuming certain contracts are exempt, to overlooking wage determinations, to missteps with Davis-Bacon enforcement and collective bargaining agreements, he explains not just what goes wrong, but why it matters and how contracting professionals can avoid these pitfalls.

Kyle also provides insight into why labor law compliance is so important to both the mission and the workforce, reminding us that decisions in this space affect real people and their livelihoods. His perspective underscores the importance of getting it right and making sure contracts fully honor legal and ethical obligations.

Tune in to hear Kyle’s stories, lessons learned, and practical advice for contracting professionals at every level. This episode offers valuable takeaways for anyone looking to strengthen compliance, support the workforce, and ensure successful mission outcomes.

If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected].

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This episode of The Contracting Experience welcomes Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, Founder and CEO of WWC Global, a company that grew from a small military spouse-led consultancy into a hundred-million dollar powerhouse, ultimately securing a $200 million contract with U.S. Special Operations Command. Lauren shares her journey as an "accidental entrepreneur," detailing how her experience as a military spouse led her to identify a need and create a thriving business. She discusses her early days working as a White House employee, and how a proposal from her to-be husband led to her moving to Italy. She highlights the challenges military spouses face in pursuing professional careers, especially overseas, and how that inspired her to start WWC Global.

Lauren delves into the lessons she learned as WWC Global scaled, including navigating the "valley of death" between small and large business. She emphasizes the importance of relationships in government contracting, while acknowledging the rise of non-traditional defense contractors. She shares the "secret sauce" behind securing the $200 million SOCOM contract, stressing the importance of hard work, assembling the right team, and crafting a compelling proposal. She also touches on common misunderstandings between government and industry, advocating for better communication and collaboration. Finally, she discusses her leadership style, described as "unruly within the rules," and offers advice to those starting out in the acquisition world, emphasizing the importance of public service and making a meaningful impact.

Tune in to hear Lauren's inspiring story and gain valuable insights into the world of government contracting. Discover the lessons she learned on her path to success and her advice for fostering better collaboration between government and industry.

***This podcast episode and the mention of non-federal entities does not constitute or imply official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Air Force or Department of Defense. The Department of the Air Force does not endorse any non-federal entities, companies, products, or services. The views expressed within this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.***

If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected].

This episode of The Contracting Experience welcomes Tom Wells, a retired member of the Senior Executive Service with over 35 years of Air Force acquisition-related experience. Wells has held positions such as Director of Contracting, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and Director, 711 Human Performance Wing. He currently serves as Vice President and Senior Associate at Dayton Aerospace, providing senior-level support and acquisition training for government and industry professionals. In this episode, Wells shares his experiences and insights, walking listeners through his 12 enduring principles for contracting professionals - principles that remain as relevant today as when he first penned them in 1995.

Wells shares real-world examples and war stories to illustrate the importance of each principle. He emphasizes the need to "never forget the requirement," advocating for speed, agility, and innovation in defense acquisition. He discusses the benefits of open communication with industry, while stressing fairness to all potential offerors. He cautions against vague language in contracts, highlighting the importance of clarity to avoid disputes. Wells also touches on risk assessment, the value of small businesses, and the criticality of obligating funds properly. Throughout the episode, he shares actionable advice for both government and industry professionals.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from a seasoned acquisition leader. Discover the enduring wisdom of Wells's 12 principles and learn how to apply them to navigate the complexities of government contracting.

Resources Mentioned:
• Dayton Aerospace Defense Acquisition Library: https://www.daytonaero.com/dod-defense-acquisition-library. Contains 172+ free documents, guides, formats, and reports in the following categories: Acquisition Planning, Contract Management, Cost Estimating / Pricing, Engineering, Product Support, Program Management, Reports / Analysis, and Test & Evaluation.
• NCMA Articles (Available in the Dayton Aerospace Library):
o Enduring Contract Principles for Government Buyers
o Price Analysis – The Rules and the Art
o Market Research - A Powerful Pricing Tool
• Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Myth-Busting Memoranda
• The Contracting Experience - Episode #58 (Wells's previous episode)
• "Competitive Strategies for Systems Acquisition and Lifecycle Management" (book co-authored by Wells)

If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected].

***This podcast episode and the mention of non-federal entities does not constitute or imply official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Air Force or Department of Defense. The Department of the Air Force does not endorse any non-federal entities, companies, products, or services. The views expressed within this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.***

Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

This episode of The Contracting Experience explores the world of Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and their role in driving innovation within the Department of Defense. Host Rob Lorton speaks with Tim Greeff, President and Founder of the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL), and Matt Summers, an agreements/contracting officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. They delve into the history, present, and future of OTAs, with a focus on the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) program, managed by NSTXL in partnership with Navy Crane.

Tim and Matt discuss the evolution of OTAs as a procurement mechanism, highlighting the initial challenges and the strategies that have led to their widespread adoption. They explore the essential elements of successful public-private partnerships in the context of OTAs, and how to bridge the gap between government and industry needs. The episode also examines how NSTXL actively recruits and retains innovative companies, particularly those new to working with the DoD, and how their intellectual property is protected. Matt addresses common misconceptions about working with OTAs from a government perspective and shares how processes are being streamlined to encourage participation from small businesses and non-traditional contractors.

Tune in to gain insights into the benefits of OTAs, including increased speed and flexibility compared to traditional contracting methods, while maintaining compliance, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Specific examples of successful projects stemming from the S2MARTS OTA are shared, along with lessons learned that can be applied to future initiatives. The episode concludes with Tim and Matt sharing their perspectives on the future of OTAs in the next 5-10 years, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

***This podcast episode and the mention of non-federal entities does not constitute or imply official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Air Force or Department of Defense. The Department of the Air Force does not endorse any non-federal entities, companies, products, or services. The views expressed within this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected].

Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.