May 2026 Volume 8

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

DIBBS also allows users to search and view Request for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bid (IFBs), Awards and other procurement information related to DLA. The National Stock Number (NSN) is the most critical data element when turning in an item. Federal agencies, including the DoD, rely on NSNs to procure and manage billions of dollars in supplies each year. With over 8 million active items cataloged by NATO and its international partners, the NSN system is essential for ensuring interoperability and sustainment across current and future DoD weapons systems.

It’s better to ask and get clarification than to miss an important part of the contract deliverables. The FAR is currently being revised under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). The following appears verbatim on the Acquisition.gov website: Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement Under the President’s Executive Order, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement , the Federal government is undertaking the first-ever comprehensive overhaul of the FAR. Led by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), this initiative will return the FAR to its statutory roots, rewrite it in plain language, and remove most non-statutory rules. In addition, non-regulatory buying guides will provide practical strategies grounded in common sense while remaining outside the FAR. The goal is clear: faster acquisitions, greater competition, and better results. Apex Accelerators To support its small business goals, the Department of Defense (DoD) established Apex Accelerators, a nationwide network of organizations funded by the DoD that assist small businesses in entering and participating in the defense supply chain. The Apex Accelerators program provides education and training to help businesses compete for federal, state, and local government contracts. There is not charge to register. Apex Accelerators is a great resource for those getting started in government contracting. Learn more at https://www. apexaccelerators.us/#/

Credit: DLA You must register with SAM.gov first before registering in DIBBS. Bottom line: DIBBS is where you go to find opportunities for forging metal parts. Collaboration Folders (cFolders) Collaboration Folders (cFolders) is a DLA platform that provides vendors with access to technical data, such as drawings, associated with open solicitations, enabling them to supply the exact materials requested by DLA. If you find an opportunity to forge a metal part you will need to obtain the Technical Data Package (TDP) via cFolders. Due to the sensitive nature of the data, accessing cFolders requires another level of registration. Key points to know: In addition to the regular cFolders registration process, there are a few things that get lost in the shuffle that may prevent you from accessing the TDP. • Your individual computer must be registered in cFolders, this includes your IP address and MAC address. • You cannot use a VPN. FAR/DFARS The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) are the rules a contractor must follow when it comes to government contracting. Each federal government solicitation contains FAR and DFARS sections that pertain to that procurement. These are the details that sometimes trip up an otherwise flawless execution of a contract. Its important read each solicitation completely and, if necessary, ask for guidance from the contracting officer (KO).

Credit: ChatGPT

Past Performance A contractor’s performance on prior contracts and orders, referred to as past performance, is a key indicator of future success and one of the most important factors considered during contract award decisions. Past performance in the private sector is looked upon favorably and is sometimes required. The government is looking for proof that you have expertise in your domain. Past performance in the government sector is recorded using

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