Better Acquisition Planning and Contracts Term Paper

Better Acquisition Planning and Contracts - Term Paper Example DHS, HHS and NASA preferred proper implementation of policies to ease their work. Moreover, the three departments adopted the need to establish a proper time frame. The three agencies: HHS, DHS and NASA, as well as, USAID developed policies, which formulated various different necessities and levels of supervision for the acquisition planning that was aimed at providing a balance between oversight and time and organizational load. Together, HHS, DHS and NASA opted for a written acquisition plans that were closely related to the fundamentals contained and defined in the federal acquisition regulation. All the departments and agencies were required to have all their cost approximation and obligations ready during acquisition planning; its aim was to ensure that time consumption and operational costs were minimized. However, NASA and DHS guidance considered the inclusion of essential lessons learned and new skills acquired from the past contracts they have been involved in the acquisitio n planning. In contrast, the three agencies have established differing conditions on the acquisition planning, for example, the individuals to carry out reviews of the documents (Compton, 2010). Implementation of the policies established under the acquisition planning took varying approaches. ... DHS, on the other hand, stated that the acquisition plans did not provide for acquisitions, for example, urgent situations, acts that had been integrated in an earlier plan already approved or procurements carried out within the mandate of Small Business Research Program (SBRP). NASA, just like HHS stated that acquisition plans did not provide room for un-sourced for proposals. NASA also confirmed their wish that architect-engineering services and research from nongovernmental organizations should not be included in the acquisition plans. Basing on the dollar awards, DHS, HHS and NASA had different requirements for different levels of grant. DHS viewed that it was essential to have vital information stored in an advanced Acquisition database for all rewards valued below $10 million. DHS proposed that failure to include the information in a database, a written acquisition plan had to be prepared. NASA opted for meetings on procurement strategy, which was aimed at establishing the way forward for awards below $10 million. The main agenda of the meeting was to look for approval of their proposal (Compton, 2010). HHS and NASA required that written acquisitions be provided for contracts that were way higher than the expectation of the agency; HHS demanded written documents for contracts above $500,000, while NASA opted for documents for any value of $10 million and above. Several elements are essential in an acquisition planning that includes cost, time, need and lessons learned from past contracts. It is very crucial to ensure that proper cost estimations are made so that the awards can cover the proposed use. The organization requesting for grants should work in collaboration with other stakeholders so that they can coordinate the process. The

Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Analysis Paper - Essay Example A powerful research study, namely â€Å"Stress Tolerance: New Challenges for Millennial College Students† has been selected for studying thoroughly on this subject-matter before drawing conclusions. This essay was written in June 2012 collectively by four authors: Helen W. Bland, Bridget F. Melton, Paul Welle and Lauren Bigham. The authors deliver the idea therein that relatively newer generations have poor control and tolerance against stress and eventually they engage themselves in avoidance and denial strategies that are damaging for their welfare. The authors have targeted the college students of millennial generations, their families and their mentors who play a pivotal role in personal and professional development of students. I strongly believe that although stress might not be of severe degree as depicted by this article, still considerable amount of trauma is faced by these teenagers and thus measures need to be taken to help them overcome these obstacles. This stud y presents concrete arguments for its thesis and has proved to be highly effective for my research, providing me with extensive literature material and fruitful research benefits. This article entails possible causes for stress, found in college students, alongwith potential solutions to overcome it as it poses severe psychological and physical threats to sensitive youngsters during their critical ages. It concludes that millennial generations bear adverse characteristics and indulge in unproductive activities to fight stress. My perception revolves more or less around the same grounds as those exhibited by the authors of article in focus. The major part of thesis supported by authors is in line with my personal dissertation regarding this subject-matter: college students desperately need to be more trained to learn coping strategies that shall prove to be helpful for them, in their couple of years spent while studying for an undergraduate degree, to excel at pressure-handling and stress-busting tools and techniques. The essay selected is persuasive and effective in most of the arguments presented except for few areas where authors have made controversial claims, contradictory to my beliefs. They have been discussed in the following paragraphs: The opening section of the selected article contains an expression stating â€Å"college years have been considered as one of the most stressful times in a person's life† (Bland et al. 362). The above statement is highly subjective and prejudiced to personal experiences and mindsets. The authors are of the view that college life represents one of the most traumatic periods. On the contrary, the masses believe college life to be one of the most memorable periods of life spent in leisure, with no responsibilities and tension. I strongly believe that the later parts of human lives are far more stressful than college days due to pressure to earn a livelihood and survive in the competitive world. In spite of some powerful notions presented by authors, the exaggerated aspects of the essay weaken their position. The minor degree of academic stress and pressures to meet expectations can, on the other hand, prove out to be positive energy (known as eu-stress) for the students to work hard and perform well. Similarly, the limitations paragraph clearly states, â€Å"Since the participants were solicited from a medium-size university in the southeastern portion of the United States, the results of the study may not be representative of all college millennials†