The Optimize Podcast

Risk Management and Mitigation in Government Contracting

Episode Summary

In Episode 5 of the Optimize Podcast, Marcia Watson speaks with an expert panel, including Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Musina, CEO and Founder of REXOTA Solutions; Jeff Shapiro, Partner at CohnReznick; Kyle Peterson, Vice President of VisibleThread; and Ryan Connell, Strategic Acquisitions Chief at the DoD. Together, they dive into critical aspects of risk management and mitigation within government contracting, discussing flow-down clauses, compliance, subcontractor management, and cost efficiency. They share real-world strategies on leveraging tools like VisibleThread for compliance assurance, avoiding common pitfalls in contract flow-downs, and the importance of early planning and clear communication with subcontractors to minimize risk.

Episode Notes

Episode Takeaways

• Plan for Compliance: Don’t rely on boilerplate flow-down documents; ensure all mandatory clauses are clearly identified and relevant to the specific contract type.
• Leverage Templates: Templates for compliance matrices and pricing data are essential to maintain consistency and reduce errors.
• Proactive Risk Management: Using tools like VisibleThread helps streamline audits, monitor flow-down compliance, and assess risks across documents, saving time and reducing costly mistakes.
• Value Relationships: Effective teaming and strong communication with subcontractors can prevent missteps and support contract execution.
• Stay Agile: Regularly update compliance policies to keep up with evolving regulations and client requirements to remain audit-ready and aligned with FAR/DFAR standards.