Our purpose now is to point out that we meant it when we said “you are in the most highly regulated industry in the world. You also know the regulations are more voluminous and complicated than the U. S. Tax Code.” What does that tell you?

 

Not all contract managers are lawyers and not all lawyers are contract managers. But in government contracting and subcontracting, your contract manager had better be a lawyer. Pure and simple. You need someone who can navigate the rigorous labyrinth of laws and regulations. Or, be sure to hire a contract manager who has a contract management lawyer at her fingertips. Yes, we said “contract management lawyer”, not just any lawyer. Your team needs contract management with legal expertise and talent steeped in government contracts and subcontracts experience. Whether it’s getting a contract, keeping it, or making a profit on it, you need complete contract management coverage. 

 

What a Contract Manager Does. Here’s a list:

 

1.       Knows the statutes, regulations and case law thoroughly and in depth;

2.       Knows, writes and speaks the English language clearly and concisely;

3.       Reviews solicitation documents for clarity and legal sufficiency;

4.       Assures proposals are well written and meet solicitation and regulation requirements;

5.       Handles discussions, clarifications and negotiations of proposals;

6.       Handles debriefings and protests;

7.       Monitors performance and assures compliance with all contract terms and conditions and regulation requirements;

8.       Handles all contract interpretation issues and questions about regulations;

9.       Investigates, identifies, analyzes and solves all contractual performance issues;

10.    Keeps a daily diary of contract performance and communications with the contracting officer;

11.    Handles all requests for equitable adjustment, claims, terminations and disputes;

12.    Handles all communications with the contracting officer;

13.    Prepares, reviews and signs all contractual documents;

14.    Reads all publications relating to acquisition news and keeps current on all statutes, regulations and  case law; and

15.    Handles contract closeout.

 

This list is not all inclusive.

 

So, why do you need a Contract Manager? Ask your friends at Lockheed Martin. Ask any member of the National Contract Management Association. Or, just ask yourself whether you are really good at doing the things on the list yourself or if you really have anyone else who is performing those duties. If not, you need a contract manager. You can’t do business with the government without one.