KOSYSTEMS Inc. Blog http://blog.kosystems.com Most recent posts at KOSYSTEMS Inc. Blog posterous.com Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:14:00 -0800 Pricing and Cost Analysis in Federal Contracting http://blog.kosystems.com/pricing-and-cost-analysis-in-federal-contract http://blog.kosystems.com/pricing-and-cost-analysis-in-federal-contract

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There are many key points to consider when going after an RFP. One important one is pricing and cost. Understanding the RFP and analyzing the solicitation will better help you determine the value and estimate pricing of a proposal. You have to calculate indirect costs, forward pricing, budgeting for provisional items, as well as complying with the FAR. 

A price analysis will help you to develop a negotiating position that allows the contracting officer and the offeror an opportunity to reach a fair and reasonable price. If your organization is committed to submitting a proposal on an RFP, remember to have data to support your price analysis and identify terms and conditions that compare with Federal cost estimates. 

Handling costs and price proposals are tricky in the Federal arena. But if you're aware of some of the best practices to follow, and are knowledgeable of the terminology, then you'll have a better chance to prepare your proposal. These are just some of the many tips to help your organization obtain a better position in the Federal Procurement environment. Good luck!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:27:00 -0800 Fed CIO on maximizing Information Technology ROI http://blog.kosystems.com/fed-cio-on-maximizing-information-technology http://blog.kosystems.com/fed-cio-on-maximizing-information-technology
Steven VanRoekel

Steven VanRoekel (Photo: FedScoop)

Federal Chief Information Officer Steven VanRoekel discussed the government’s efforts to maximize its return on investment when it comes to information technology in a blog post on WhiteHouse.gov.

The post further explains the budget President Obama submitted to Congress on Monday with regards to IT, and the administration’s thinking when it comes to the allocation of IT dollars and his office’s priorities for 2012.

From the post:

From the President’s first days in office, this Administration has been committed to leveraging information technology (IT) to deliver the American people a more efficient and effective 21st Century government. We know that IT has the power to fundamentally transform the way government does business and the way we deliver services for to the American people.  In these tight budgetary times, we also know that we need to make IT investments in a fiscally responsible way. The technology spending proposed in the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 — and during every year of this Administration — reflects that recognition.

Related

via fedscoop.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:20:00 -0800 Why Are Manholes Round? http://blog.kosystems.com/why-are-manholes-round http://blog.kosystems.com/why-are-manholes-round

Towles_manhole_round
A great question with many answers. Helps you to decipher how an individual approaches a problem with many different answers. My answer, and I'm sure many people would say first and foremost, is that a manhole is created round so that the cover can't fall into the circular opening.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:53:00 -0800 Addressing security challenges with Cloud computing. http://blog.kosystems.com/addressing-security-challenges-with-cloud-com http://blog.kosystems.com/addressing-security-challenges-with-cloud-com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:17:00 -0800 Applications' software development teams to be deployed with Marines -- Defense Systems http://blog.kosystems.com/applications-software-development-teams-to-be http://blog.kosystems.com/applications-software-development-teams-to-be
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via defensesystems.com

The Marine Corps is developing a new process to create and support applications and network services for its deployed forces. The capability is designed to allow war fighters to request and access software tools wherever they are, from bandwidth-rich headquarters facilities in the United States to forward-operating bases on the thin edges of the network.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:50:00 -0800 Discover MonoDevelop! http://blog.kosystems.com/discover-monodevelop http://blog.kosystems.com/discover-monodevelop

Screen_shot_2012-02-09_at_5

Came across this lightweight IDE for C# to quickly write web applications on Mac OSX. While this is no Microsoft Visual Studio, it offers a quick and easy way to write and compile C# code instead of using my good old Coda. Definitely worth checking out if you're serious about looking at a lightweight IDE for C#.

http://monodevelop.com/

 

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:43:00 -0800 Open Innovator's Toolkit | The White House http://blog.kosystems.com/open-innovators-toolkit-the-white-house http://blog.kosystems.com/open-innovators-toolkit-the-white-house

Open Innovator's Toolkit

President Obama emphasizes a “bottom-up” philosophy that taps citizen expertise to make government smarter and more responsive to private sector demands. This philosophy of “open innovation” has already delivered tangible results in public and regulated sectors of the economy – areas like health IT, learning technologies, and smart grid – that are poised to deliver productivity growth and grow the jobs of the future. We have surfaced new or improved policy tools deployed by our government to achieve them. We’ve posted the Open Innovator’s Toolkit as a roster of 20 leading practices that an “open innovator” should consider when confronting any policy challenge – at any level of government. Our aspiration is to build upon this list, adding new tools and case studies to form an evidence base that will help to scale “open innovation” across the public sector.

Acting as “Impatient Convener”

Initiating Prizes, Challenges and Competitions

via whitehouse.gov

Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra announces the Open Innovator's Toolkit on his last day in office - a listing of best practices and case studies for innovators and policy makers.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:38:00 -0800 U.S. government, military to get secure Android phones http://blog.kosystems.com/us-government-military-to-get-secure-android http://blog.kosystems.com/us-government-military-to-get-secure-android
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via cnn.com

Mobile apps for the warfighter from DARPA and the NSA? Looks to be already in the process as the use of mobile extends to the war-front. Storing classified documents and sensitive data on a modified Android phone along with applications to support our soldiers sounds like the next evolution. Great use of the accelerated approval process to get the tech out into our soldier's hands.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:11:00 -0800 Hyperakt » Work » BestVendor » Professional Toolkits http://blog.kosystems.com/hyperakt-work-bestvendor-professional-toolkit http://blog.kosystems.com/hyperakt-work-bestvendor-professional-toolkit
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via hyperakt.com

An interesting survey of 500 developers - they must not be from around this area because Oracle, .NET, Visual Studio, and a lot of Microsoft products would be high on that survey.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:43:00 -0800 Infographic - What's in the toolkit of today's designers. http://blog.kosystems.com/infographic-whats-in-the-toolkit-of-todays-de http://blog.kosystems.com/infographic-whats-in-the-toolkit-of-todays-de
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via fastcodesign.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:43:00 -0800 The Top 10 Industries that Contributed Most to Google Earnings in 2011 | WordStream http://blog.kosystems.com/the-top-10-industries-that-contributed-most-t http://blog.kosystems.com/the-top-10-industries-that-contributed-most-t
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via wordstream.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:15:17 -0800 Content Strategy http://blog.kosystems.com/content-strategy http://blog.kosystems.com/content-strategy

The-king

Looking at a website/app and thinking how well designed it is, how great the use of color is, is not what a programmer/designer should be achieving. Content gets a back seat sometimes. Ultimately, it's the content. WHY do people visit your website or use your app? Why should they come back?

As a software engineer/programmer/designer, you should ask just those questions first and foremost. You see, it's easy to get lost in creating stylesheets, images, and logos. Making things look good is a great way to get your message across - that's true. But at the same time, content is why your users are here. The message you're trying to convey. Users are looking for answers to their most important questions. Why are the sales figures for December up? What music should I listen to? How many widgets did we sell last quarter? The list goes on. By paying attention to the content, answering your user's most vital questions, and creating content to drive business, we can achieve success in our applications and websites.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:03:00 -0800 9 ways the defense bill's passage might affect you soon -- Defense Systems http://blog.kosystems.com/9-ways-the-defense-bills-passage-might-affect http://blog.kosystems.com/9-ways-the-defense-bills-passage-might-affect
2012 National Defense Authorization
via defensesystems.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:21:00 -0800 Apps Designed to Help Wounded Warriors http://blog.kosystems.com/apps-designed-to-help-wounded-warriors http://blog.kosystems.com/apps-designed-to-help-wounded-warriors
via youtube.com

A brief look into some of the DOD's apps specifically for soldiers wounded in battle. Today, everyone can download apps for pretty much anything, and this is a great example of the flexibility that mobile, micro-sized applications can bring.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:54:00 -0800 Happy New Year 2012! http://blog.kosystems.com/happy-new-year-2012 http://blog.kosystems.com/happy-new-year-2012

Happy New Year everyone! Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year filled with innovative opportunities and successes. We'll continue to see software and apps delivery/development leading the way here in our studio and we'll challenge ourselves to push the boundaries of software development. Opportunities are out there...just look for them!

Opportunity

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:43:17 -0800 This holiday season, make and innovate! http://blog.kosystems.com/this-holiday-season-make-and-innovate http://blog.kosystems.com/this-holiday-season-make-and-innovate
Innovation-infographic

Source - VentureBeat

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:10:42 -0800 DoD procurement reiterates efficiencies in procurement policy. http://blog.kosystems.com/dod-procurement-reiterates-efficiencies-in-pr http://blog.kosystems.com/dod-procurement-reiterates-efficiencies-in-pr
Eejagjic

At his recent meeting at the Credit Suisse 2011 Aerospace and Defense Conference, the DOD's Director of Procurement & Acquisition made it clear that widespread cuts and improved efficiencies are needed. Outlining improved buying power and focusing more on subcontractor management, improved frameworks for purchases, and reduced overhead seemed to be the goal. "Make no mistake about it, we're going to push them to be better." he says. As the Pentagon and the military look for cuts in their budgets, the Procurement Office is trying to improve their current practices while not making any major changes to acquisition reform.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:55:00 -0800 White House Data.gov Open Government Initiative. http://blog.kosystems.com/white-house-datagov-open-government-initiativ http://blog.kosystems.com/white-house-datagov-open-government-initiativ
Image

The White House's plan to stand up a portal for application developers to promote data transparency is slowly becoming a reality. They've released early test code to eventually allow for an open platform where user's can engage in government data.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:40:04 -0800 MoDevEast Conference/Hackathon Dec. 2nd-3rd http://blog.kosystems.com/modeveast-conferencehackathon-dec-2nd-3rd http://blog.kosystems.com/modeveast-conferencehackathon-dec-2nd-3rd
For developers and marketers, if you're developing apps and are into mobile, this conference/hackathon will be a great one to attend. Lots of great speakers speaking on UX, platforms, development tools, and APIs. Held at the Gannett/ USA Today Conference Center this Friday and Saturday in Tysons Corner, VA.

See you there!

http://www.modeveast.com/

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:16:33 -0800 The Innovators http://blog.kosystems.com/the-innovators http://blog.kosystems.com/the-innovators

Lesson of the film, take action!

via Sparkhouse

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/483208/IMG_0541.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36PD2w6LFqs9 Albert Ko albertko Albert Ko