Contract Administration

Winning a cost-reimbursement contract can be a major milestone for a growing government contractor. These contracts often involve larger, more complex work and can open the door to long-term relationships with federal agencies. But they're also one of the quickest ways for an unprepared company to run into cash flow issues, compliance problems, and audit findings. Unlike fixed-price contracts, a cost-reimbursement contract requires you to demonstrate that every dollar billed

For many government contractors, the award notice feels like the finish line. Months of proposal writing, pricing reviews, negotiations, and waiting have finally paid off. But from a contracts administration perspective, the award is actually the beginning. The first few days after contract award set the foundation for everything that follows—from successful performance and accurate invoicing to audit readiness and customer satisfaction. Mistakes made during this transition o

A contract lands in your inbox. The customer is ready to move forward. The prime contractor says they need it signed today. and assures you it's "just standard language." So, you skim the first page, scroll to the signature block, and sign. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many small businesses sign contracts, subcontracts, modifications, NDAs, teaming agreements, and purchase orders without ever conducting a meaningful review. They assume the document is standard,

Let's talk about something that isn't flashy, exciting, or likely to go viral on LinkedIn: the contract file. I know. Riveting stuff. But if you've worked in government contracting long enough, you've probably experienced that moment of panic when someone asks for a document and suddenly nobody knows where it is. "Wasn't that in the contract file?" "Which version?" "Who saved it?" "Do we have the attachment?" And my personal favorite: "I thought someone else had it." When I f

Winning a government contract is exciting. But for many small businesses, the real challenge starts after award. A company can have talented employees, competitive pricing, and a strong technical solution — yet still struggle because their team was never trained on how government contracts actually work. For small government contractors, poor proposal and contract training often creates expensive problems that do not show up until performance begins. By then, the damage may a

The federal government spends billions annually on contracts to support its operations, but the way these contracts are structured can significantly affect costs and accountability. On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at increasing the use of fixed-price contracts across federal agencies. This move intends to control spending and improve efficiency by shifting more risk to contractors. The order sets new rules for renegotiating existing contrac

Navigating the complexities of government contracts can be a daunting task for any organization. With strict regulations and compliance requirements, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of government contract administration. This blog post will provide you with practical tips to maximize compliance and ensure your organization thrives in the government contracting space. Government building representing compliance and administration in contracts. Understanding Govern

If you had asked me in 2005 what my career would look like, I don’t think I could have imagined the path that led me here. Like many people, my journey into government contracting wasn’t planned—it was something I grew into over time. After earning my associate’s degree in business with a concentration in accounting, I stepped away from school to focus on my family. Soon after, we moved overseas—unknowingly stepping into the world that would shape my entire career. My First I

Winning a government contract is no small feat. It takes persistence, strategy, pricing discipline, and a strong understanding of your customer. But here’s what many small businesses discover after that hard-earned win: Execution is where the real challenge begins. For small government contractors, the transition from proposal mode to performance mode often exposes gaps in systems, processes, and internal controls. These gaps can quickly create risks if not addressed early. T

In 2026, program control no longer means settling for "good enough." The rapid pace of change in technology, customer expectations, and market competition demands a new level of precision and excellence. Organizations that continue to rely on outdated control methods risk falling behind. This post explores why program control must evolve and how teams can move beyond adequacy to deliver exceptional results. Why "Good Enough" Falls Short in 2026 The phrase "good enough" once d