Tim Sullivan wraps up blog series: ‘10 Myths of Government Contracting’

Tim Sullivan has just completed a 10-week blog series that provided a wealth of critical information and insights to companies that contract with the federal government or those that are looking for new opportunities.

Tim, the chair of Thompson Coburn’s Government Contracts Group, authored the series as a guest writer for the blog of the Public Contracting Institute, a business that offers accredited training for government contracts professionals. Based on a presentation of the same title that Tim has given to professional groups across the country, the “10 Myths” articles deconstruct many of the common misconceptions held by those engaged in business with the federal government.

Tim’s articles gave an inside look at the protest process, the vulnerability of subcontractors, and the myriad pitfalls of failing to read contract language closely. Tim also offered tips for prospective government contractors about marketing to government agencies and securing opportunities for contracts.

10 Myths of Government Contracting

• Myth No. 1 - We should never protest.

• Myth No. 2 - We should always protest.

• Myth No. 3: The contracting officer isn’t really our customer.

• Myth No. 4 - Subcontractors aren’t as exposed as primes.

• Myth No. 5: My prime contractor will tell me what clauses should be in our subcontract.

• Myth No. 6: We don’t have to market to federal agencies like we do in the commercial sector.

• Myth No. 7: Our business information is safe with the government.

• Myth No. 8: We can treat government customers the same as commercial ones.

• Myth No. 9: Only the big guys succeed.

• Myth No. 10: Solicitations are mostly boilerplate, and we don’t have to read them closely.