179 - Should Respond to the RFI?

179 - Should Respond to the RFI?

Author: Kevin Jans, Paul Schauer, Contracting Officer, government Contracting, proposal management, proposal writing, targeting, contract administration, contract management, subcontracting September 10, 2026 Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin welcomes special guest Stacey Coolican (a former Government Contracting Officer with over 20 years experience) to discuss the reasons why Government acquisition teams may use a formal Request for Information (RFI), what they expect to learn from RFI responses, and things that Industry should consider when contemplating a response to an RFI. __________This episode is brought...

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the lengthy documents and complex regulations of government procurement? Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples) pulls back the curtain, guided by Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer. Their shared background as federal contracting officers isn't just a credential-it's the foundation for every conversation. Instead of dry theory, they unpack the actual rules and processes with a focus on the intent behind them, explaining why things work the way they do in the world of government contracting. This podcast moves beyond basic advice, delving into the interconnected realms of proposal management, strategic targeting, and the ongoing responsibilities of contract administration. Whether you're navigating subcontracting relationships or trying to craft a more compelling proposal, their insights stem from direct experience. You'll hear practical discussions about contract management challenges and the nuances of proposal writing that only insiders truly understand. For business owners, entrepreneurs, and managers looking to engage with the public sector, this series offers a rare look from the other side of the table. Each episode builds on their firsthand knowledge, translating complex acquisition concepts into actionable intelligence for your business growth.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Contracting Officer Podcast 2.0 (samples)
Podcast Episodes
153 Why Do Mods Take So Long? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Why do modifications to Government contracts take so long to process? (one of the great mysteries of life, to…
154 Personal vs. Non Personal Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin and Paul explore the important distinctions between Personal Services contracts and the more common Non-…
155 The Importance of the Debrief [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)“The debriefing is an opportunity to prevent protests, not cause them.”Kevin and Paul return to the topic of d…
156 Buy American? with Shelley Hall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)We’re happy to welcome back one of our favorite retired Contracting Officers, Shelley Hall. Shelley and Paul d…
157 Targeting 101 (Updated) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)This is an update to one of our earliest podcasts, Episode 16 “The Importance of Targeting”. We decided to ref…
158 What is a Proposal Manager? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
f you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin discusses the role of the Proposal Manager with special guest Vicky Strycharske. Vicky is a former Army C…
159 Communicate Your Schedule [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin and Paul discuss the value of communicating schedule changes as early as possible. Changes that aren’t c…
160 Is This a Contract? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin and Paul review the basic elements required to create a legal contract. This is the first of a series th…
161 Should I Protest? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Kevin holds a roundtable (or round-Skype) discussion with Christi Gilbert (an industry contracts/proposal mana…