Details About Systems Engineering Technical Assistance

By Nancy Allen


System engineering and technical assistance otherwise known as system engineering professional advisers are experts contracted by mission-based government agencies such as the Department of defense. Their role is to work closely with the engineering staffs of the government to provide the required expertise in engineering projects taken by the agencies. In this section, you will discover a couple of facts about systems engineering technical assistance.

The role of these contractors. The hiring agency usually provides an outline of every responsibility that the hired contractor supposed to assume the task at hand should consider. However, there are specific roles that cut across most contracts. For instance, the agency might require the firm to analyze a particular requirement, provide independent verification and validation and monitoring and evaluating performance. Agencies usually agree to requests from companies that fall under their expectations.

Usage of SETA as a common acronym. The Department of Defense has been using the term SETA for quite a long duration. The abbreviation is part of the listed acronym provided in most technical documents related to mission-based technical applications. Therefore, it is a common name that those involved in recruiting this sort of service providers.

The procedure used to choose an ideal candidate. Most agencies demand their potential candidates to write down Requests for Proposal as part of their application process. These documents provide a clear outline of the potential of a candidate and their expectations as well. However, agencies might hire service providers to oversee other contracts. In such a case, they expect the applicants to agree on a non-disclosure agreement as part of the deal.

Policies used in the acquisition. There are strict policies highlighted by the DOD, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations, and Federal Acquisition regulations that determine how the agency will acquire these service providers. The policies are spread out in different sections since they cover a variety of aspects. The most common part is in the Federal Acquisition Regulations section 37.

Guidelines for selecting the best company. As soon as the hiring agency accepts the request for proposal from every applicant, they develop criteria to narrow down on potential candidates. Some common ways used to determine a potential candidate is the extent of services that one can provide, accreditation, and experience. Its tradition for such agencies to contact companies that they have shortlisted for further interviews.

How to improve the Department of Defense organic capabilities. There are different ways to enhance the acquisition of these services. One of the methods is reaching out to the organic capabilities of the DOD. Ways to improve include increasing the objectivity and allowing leverage of the DOD in existing infrastructure. The Defense Department should also reduce challenges that come as a result of inadequate requirement specifications.

Development of Independent SETA firms. There is a need to develop this sort of services for efficiency in service delivery and cut down the costs as well. Ways to develop their independence are increasing the potential for best value solution and increase competition and reduce cost. The hiring agency should also balance private-sector and organization conflict of interest (OCI).




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment