Call for Coaches

“Call for Coaches” No. Bowie BIC-2024-1024
Job Title: Coach
Job Number: BBIC-2024CC

The 8(a) COE is a partnership between BSU and Bowie BIC. The Center exposes and engages 8(a) companies and HBCUs to best practices, training, and business support that equips, elevates, and expands, a government contractor’s infrastructure and capacity to win federal contracts. The 8(a) COE will assist both 8(a) firms and HBCUs with procurement capture strategies, mentoring, access to commercial online market intelligence tools, and access to legal expertise in government contracting.

Project Summary
8(a) Center of Excellence is seeking coaches to provide cradle-to-grave contracts administration support. This includes reviewing an fulfilled and contracts agreements, drafting contractually required communications, working with the business owners to ensure that all contract requirements are fulfilled, and identifying contract-related risks.

The Learning and Development Team will provide small, disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) with support to create a concrete structural foundation and increase their business acumen to enable them to thrive competitively in the federal, state, or local contracting marketplace. This program will deliver a broad series of in-depth, active-learning educational courses through a cohort model and provide avenues for mentoring.

Job Summary:
As a business coach you will provide both one-on-one & group technical assistance, including coaching and consulting, to aspiring and existing small businesses & HBCUs to help with improving their 8(a) COE business planning, financial planning, marketing, sales and other core business skills related to Federal Contracting.

Essential Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Serve as the first point of contact for teams seeking technical assistance over the Zoom, phone, or via email.
• Deliver approved technical assistance and coaching on federal procurement related topics related to pursuing federal contracts.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts and work closely with other teams within 8(a) Center of Excellence
• Plan, develop, and facilitate effective coaching sessions, using knowledge of the effectiveness of methods and materials, such as meetings, conferences, simulations, workshops and educational materials using a variety of media.
• Build solid cross-functional relationships and assist with development of proposal plans for small business owners
• Ensure appropriate scheduling, registration and logistical support for coaching sessions.
• Create and maintain a collaborative and effective team environment while setting the tone and example for open communication and regular coordination; a learning environment conducive to mutual respect; clear expectations for performance; and clear delegations of roles, responsibilities, and authority.
• Work with COE leadership to identify and address structural barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the procurement process.
• Perform remote troubleshooting through pertinent questions. Keep record of events, problems, and their resolution.
• Assist Training Specialists as needed

Pre-Award Support

• Participate in planning activities and key meetings from capture through bid submission to provide input on contractual components.
• Provide detailed review of solicitations and support development of associated compliance matrices to ensure requirements are fully assessed.
• Collaborate with proposal manager on the formulation and review of questions on solicitations. Review of business volume to ensure components of the negotiation are clearly presented and that the cost submission aligns with the solicitation and points of negotiation.
• Facilitate substantive aspects of pre-award agreements (e.g., teaming agreements)
• Support competitive range negotiations leading up to issuance of draft contracts.
• Document key aspects of the negotiation during the pre-award phases.
• Partner with business development management to document after-action reviews and debriefs (with a focus on items related to the business volume).
• Participate as assigned on strategic activities or teams.

Examples include but are not limited to the following:

• Manage library of pre-award templates and associated guidance (teaming agreements, MOUs, NDAs, business volume templates)
• Identify recurrent items of a contractual nature in the bidding and negotiation process. Develop best practices for representing organizational needs in those processes. Provide guidance for specialized pre-award processes (e.g., bidding through the General Services Administration).
• Addressing themes on lessons learned/best practice across after-action reviews and debriefs.

Post Award Support

• Comprehensive analysis of contract terms and conditions to ensure that the organization has the organizational capacity or is able to acquire the necessary capacity to successfully perform and meet contractual obligations;
• Expert interpretation of government contract rules and regulations ;
• Standardization of administrative procedures for efficient award management;
• Development of contractual documents including templates and ancillary business forms
• Capacity building and replication of contract portfolio management systems and best practices in contracts management.
• Manage efficient operation and maintenance of an effective contracts portfolio management system.
• Work in partnership with operations staff and other the Bowie BIC services staff to achieve successful and compliant contract performance.
• The scope of contract administration includes contract interpretation, compliance with regulatory requirements and restrictions, and client relations among others.

Coaching areas include but are not limited to:

Strategic Partnerships:

• How to identify, court, and secure ideal teaming partners, and
• How to engage the support needed to finalize your teaming and joint venture agreements.
• Teaming arrangements under the FAR
• Benefits and draw backs to teaming various types of teaming arrangements
• Top clauses to include in teaming arrangements Identify roles and responsibilities needed when managing team agreements.

Capture Management:

• Capture Management Process
• Bid/No Bid decision making
• Capture management tools and techniques

Cost Proposal/Pricing:

• Understanding the Components of a Cost Proposal
• FAR & Cost Principles
• Cost Estimation and Pricing Strategies
• Certified Costs and Compliance

Proposal Development:

• Understand the different types of government contracts, solicitation processes, and key regulations.
• Master the structure and components of a winning proposal, including compelling narratives, impactful writing, and persuasive language.
• Navigate the complex world of government compliance requirements and certifications for successful bid submission.
• Gain expertise in cost proposal strategies to ensure accurate and competitive pricing strategies.
• Develop effective communication and collaboration strategies to work seamlessly with internal teams and subcontractors.
• Understand the evaluation process and learn negotiation strategies to maximize win probability.
• Identify customer requirements using proven techniques
• Apply simple but effective tools to identify and respond to risks
• Create an environment where quality is part of the project

Project Management:

• Recognize issues in a realistic project scenario.
• Employ work breakdown structures (WBS) in a project application.
• Demonstrate the use of appropriate network scheduling techniques.
• Produce a project proposal. Discuss the implementation of a proposed plan
• Estimate project costs and schedules using simple techniques
• Assemble a project team and gain commitment to project objectives
• Plan, estimate, and organize project efforts

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The supervisor sets overall objectives. The training specialist and supervisor together develop deadlines, projects and work to be done. The training specialist/coach independently plans, designs, and carries out project, studies, and programs.

Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements, or expected results.

Technical problems are generally resolved without reference to supervisors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested is primarily sedentary and does not involve undue physical demands. Work is primarily performed in an office setting.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

• A High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least nine (10) years of experience in adult learning, professional development, curriculum development, education, or training. OR
• A Bachelor’s degree in any field with at least five (5) years of experience in adult learning, professional development, curriculum development, education, or training. OR
• A Master’s degree in any field plus with at least three (4) years of experience in adult learning, professional development, curriculum development, education, or training. AND
• Specialized experience: Experience in business development, contracts administration, federal procurement policies, international business development, AND
• Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
• Has Business Ownership Experience
• Prior Experience with all types of Government Contracting
• High level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness—team player, great listener, thoughtful, open-minded, progressive, visionary, conscientious, positive attitude, and customer service oriented.
• Demonstrated competency in financial reporting and budgeting.
• Pricing/Financial background strongly desired.
• Grant management and federal funding compliance experience.
• Detail oriented.
• Hands-on business planning and development skills.
• Specialized expertise with SBA government contracting programs (HUBZone, 8(a) business development program, etc.); GSA schedules;
• Experience in assisting small businesses in working through various procurement processes.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with individuals and groups. Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (FAR/DFARS)

III. SUBMITTING A RESUME

1. Submission must be received by March 9, 2025, to Crystal Clark, crystal.clark@8acenterofexcellence.com

2. Submissions must clearly reference the position number on all submitted documents.

3. Please indicate interested area(s) of expertise

4. Be sure to include your annual salary or hourly rate.

5. Complete resume. To fully evaluate your submission, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, COE Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this posting. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the submission to be investigated.

False or fraudulent information on or attached to your submission may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after hiring, and may ban you from any future solicitation requests from the Bowie BIC.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the position number and subject matter expertise on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.

NOTE REGARDING 8(a) COE OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS POSTING: This posting in no way obligates the Bowie BIC 8(a) COE to make a hire or award a contract, nor does it commit the 8(a) to pay any cost incurred in the preparation of the submission.

IV. NOTIFICATION OF SELECTION AND TIMELINE

Notification of Qualification Determination: Individuals will receive notification from The Bowie BIC on their qualification status within 20 business days from submission.

****Thank you for expressing interest in employment with BBIC. While only those candidates considered for this position will be contacted, your resume will remain on file for 90 days.

BBIC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.