National Aeronautics & Space Administration

Objectives

• Become familiar with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and NASA FAR supplement and other statutes and regulations that govern the procurement process.

•  • Obtain a basic understanding of the federal procurement processes and

procedures through hands on experience with the agency.•  • Learn the different types of government contracts from simplified acquisitions

to negotiated procurements and make strategic decisions regarding the best method of procurement.

•  • Actually participate in the formation of a contract from market research,

planning, solicitation, evaluating proposals and contract award.•  • Learn contract cost principles and procedures and perform cost and price

analysis of contractor proposals.•  • Perform contract administration activities including evaluating contractor

performance, reviewing and approving invoices and reports and contract closeout.

•  • Obtain a basic understanding of small business and socioeconomic

programs, application of labor laws, procurement integrity and standards of conduct and ethics.

Summary

This internship provided valuable career development experience for a career as a procurement professional. I worked directly with the sole IV&V Contracting Officer providing administrative support while developing expertise in the acquisition field. I was exposed to all aspects of federal contract management and administration. Hands-on experience was provided to prepare me for future positions within the acquisition community. Under close supervision, I gained contracting experience by participating in pre-award planning and documentation; soliciting, administration and closeout of actual IV&V contracts. My efforts enabled the IV&V Program to be more efficient and effective. My procurement activities allowed the Contracting Officer to focus more on the program's complex procurement issues.

NASA’s Vision: “We reach for new heights and reveal the unknown forthe benefit of humankind.”

Mission: “Drive advances in science, technology, aeronautics,and space exploration to enhance knowledge,education, innovation, economic vitality, andstewardship of Earth.”

Assignment: Federal Contracting Internship

Host: NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation Facility

Location: Fairmont, WV

Duration: September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015, Approximately

700 hrs.

Paul LaMancusa MPA 2015West Virginia University, Department of Public Administration

Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Contract Planning

Shaping Smart

Business Arrangement

s

Contract Execution

Formal Training

I took 4 courses towards my Contracting Level 1 DAWIA certification, offered by Defense Acquisitions University. The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act required the DoD to establish a formal process through which persons in the acquisition workforce would recognized having achieved professional status. Since its inception, DAU has been made available to civilian agencies as well.

3. Contract Administration

Post-Award Orientation

Contractor/ System

Compliance

Contract Modifications

Performance Monitoring

Completion/ Closeout

2. Evaluation and AwardEvaluation and

Negotiation Selection Award

1. Pre-award and SolicitationAcquisition

PlanningMarket

Research

Competitive or Sole Source

Requirements Documents

Request for Proposal

The Contracting Process

Description of Activities

Contracting often requires professionals to work in cross-functional teams. I worked with members from financial management, operations and maintenance, software engineering, and senior leadership, in order to support our IV&V program’s mission. In supporting the IV&V Contracting Officer, I was exposed to a variety of contract scopes, vehicles, amounts, and complexities. Below are some of the contracts I most regularly dealt with. In addition to contracts for IV&V support services, I often handled small purchases and/or other procurements below the simplified acquisitions threshold of 150K.

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is a substantial and complex set of rules governing the federal government's purchasing process. Its purpose is to ensure purchasing procedures are standard and consistent, and conducted in a fair and impartial manner (Small Business Administration). Like any set of federal regulations, FAR is responsive to all legislative statutes and executive orders issued by our federal government. Large agencies, as is the case for NASA, have their own FAR supplement policy to guide contracting authorities. Each agency policy must interpret and apply procurement procedures in accordance with FAR. Failure to do so can leave agencies vulnerable to protest or even lawsuits.

Volunteer Opportunities

The NASA IV&V Program is committed to charitable giving and community outreach. I took part in several community service initiatives throughout the duration of my internship. Community outreach activities I participated in included the MMS Launch Party and NASA’s Day in the Park which hosted 400+ students grades 6 through 8. Also, I attended numerous fundraising events in support of the North Central WV, Combined Federal Campaign.

IV&V’s Mission: “To provide our customers assurance that their safety and mission-critical software will operate reliably and safely and to advance the systems and software engineering disciplines. In doing so, we work to standards of excellence, provide professional engineers, provide national and global leadership, focus on customer satisfaction, and adhere to and demonstrate our core set of values: safety, integrity, respect, teamwork, balance, innovation, and excellence.”