Stagione 1
Professor Robert Knauer CPCM CPPO tell a real life story about how a Navy Contracting Officer was terminated from federal service after routinely divulging many confidential contract secrets to his girlfriend (the enemy)..who worked for a competing government contractor. He was fired but nothing happened to her. Life and government contracting have rules to live by....he failed.
Podcaster Robert Knauer talks about the time in the late 1990s at the Defense Contract Management Agency how an automated Contract Reconciliation System program was rammed down their throats without any Beta Testing. It did not work and thousands of man-hours were wasted/lost and millions of dollars pissed down the drain, that is....until Mr. Knauer stood up at a CRS conference and informed the nice people from headquarters that "We don't call it CRS--We call it the CAN'T REMEMBER SHIT PROGRAM" because it is a POS!
In this last and final Episode of Season 1 dealing with contracting I discuss one of the strangest and funniest government job interviews at HUD (U.S. Housing and Urban Development in DC) and with an all black panel of Senior Executive Service members, of which, Barbara Thomas, the sister of Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas was one of the board members. It is hilarious and strange job promotion interviews I ever had in my entire federal career. It also points out the fact that certain federal agencies in Washington, DC are far too racially heavy than what they should be--which is more diverse. ENJOY 4eTNlX3pn5j1sd0qhj3H
Podcaster Robert Knauer CPCM CPPO gives detailed background and insight into a contracting case brought against a young married couple under the "Federal False Claims Act" or FCA as it is known in federal circles. The case was improperly brought against the couple by Army Criminal Investigators (ARMY CID), but there wasn't sufficient evidence proceed with the case (after three years in court) and the case was dismissed by federal judge Terrance Boyle against the couple. Although dismissed, the story points out significant time, legal expense and emotional heartache caused simply because one person did the RIGHT THING while the other spouse did the WRONG THING bringing the case to light. In every federal contracting action, all parties must always DO THE RIGHT THING and be above board and ethical in their transactions when dealing with the federal government. This case which can be read in its entirely at https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-odyssey-mktg-grp-inc-1 dealing with case United States v. Odyssey Mktg. Grp., Inc., No. 5:15-CV-510-BO (E.D.N.C. Jun. 7, 2017) paints a clear and convincing picture that even though the married couple and all parties involved were NOT even remotely correct in their personal actions which caused the case to gain the attention of Army CID.....the case hinged on one main factor: that the husband, Rod M. immediately returned to the federal government (DFAS) all monies (improperly obtained and received) $700,000.00, because the husband (COO of Odyssey Marketing) knew the funds received were improperly obtained, not correct and he could not legally retain the money as there was no supporting federal contract or modification to justify retention of the $700K. This one simple act at the advice of this podcaster kept the husband and wife from being found guilty of wrongdoing under the Federal False Claims Act (FCA) and kept them from going to jail and spending millions in defense. Others involved in the case (Army Personnel) were not so lucky.
Robert Knauer CPCM CPPO gives his take on the need to have or purchase Personal Liability Insurance to protect oneself in Govt. Contracting.
In this podcast by Robert Knauer CPCM-CPPO he discusses the subject of purchasing in government and why the typical American citizen just doesn't understand why certain things like weapon systems, airplanes and hammers can cost so much. It all about the laws and regulations Congress enacted and the mandatory requirements for specific quality control, quality assurance, unique manufacturing specifications as well as commercial manufacturing requirements that make some things cost so much. REF: MIL-I, MIL-Q, ANSI and other inspection standards
This podcast by Robert K. Knauer CPCM-CPPO is a personal discussion about the subject of federal, state and local contracting people (mostly federal) who have access to sensitive, confidential, or other classified information that can be compromised when they have personal financial problems, or simply are not suited to be in contracting based on poor personal character. IT DOES HAPPEN and polygraphs are needed in more sensitive cases. There is some profanity in this podcast....so if you have sensitive little ears....GO AWAY
Presented by Robert Knauer CPCM-CPPO and former DAU Contracts professor, this podcast takes YOU the listener through the ups-and-downs, ins-and-outs of being subjected to an OIG investigation, DOJ referrals and possible indictment by the DOJ for wrongdoing--when you may not have done anything wrong to begin with, other than being ill-trained and susceptible to the whims of your Supervisor who is connected and working in concert with a "crooked" contractor.
ROBERT Knauer CPCM-CPPO describes how to make contracts and life easier by working to simplify contract statements, work exhibits, etc....and talks about the requirement to have solid Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASPs) and dedicated personnel to do follow up inspections on contract end results.
Robert Knauer CPCM-CPPO and former professor of contract management for the DAU discusses Contracting Integrity, Ethics and following the rules citing several unique stories. These are just to wet your appetite for what is to come in upcoming episodes of his podcast. Robert pulls no punches and certainly does NOT suffer fools well, but he does offer very salient and important advice to those planning a career in contracting. Just so you understand--there is SOME PROFANITY in this podcast. So if you have sensitive little ears, maybe you should go elsewhere.