Discussions **Prof Computer Science**

Federal Contracting Class Discussions: (This week’s readings are linked below)

Learning Activity #1

Part of this week's reading requirement is DoD guide on creating a competitive environment. With the advent of the FAR in the mid-1980s Sealed Bidding, once the preferred Federal Acquisition method, has fallen out of favor and is seldom used. But it remains part of the FAR and is allowable. What are some of the advantages of Sealed Bidding over other acquisition methods?

Learning Activity #2

Part of the reading included different contract types. Select a contract type and discuss the pros and cons of its use.

This week’s readings:

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

· Part 14  Sealed Bidding

· Part 15  Contracting By Negotiation 

· Part 16  Types of Contracts

Learning Activity #3

FAR 5 requires that Government contracting encourages competition and small business participation.  Go to Federal Business Opportunities  FedBizOpps.gov   and look up solicitation W15QKN-17-Q-1072. Discuss how this solicitation does or does not meet this requirement of the FAR.

Learning Activity #4

Inherently Governmental functions are a constant concern in Federal Contracting. It is important that a Contracting Officer ensure that they do not issue a contract that violates this requirement. In addition a CO must be wary that performance of a contract issued does not "drift" into an IG violation over its life. While the FAR list specific IG violations but also notes some things which may be apparent violations. List three of these functions and discuss why they may be possible violations.

New Venture Planning Class Discussions:

Learning Activity #1: Financial Planning:

Regarding capital formation, discuss the three basic types of capital acquisition, working capital, fixed capital and growth capital, describe the advantages/disadvantages of attaining such funds via equity or debt sources, and how best to apply the capital mix to your potential or ongoing business venture.

Learning Activity 2:  "Housing Market and New Venture Development"

A traditional source of capital acquisition for a new small business venture has been borrowing against home equity, either as collateral or for liquid assets. Consider the current economic state of the overall US and your own local residential housing market, the tightening of credit and "subprime" credit (for borrowers with less than optimal credit histories) and the challenges and limitations of home equity, and how these can impact new venture development and access to capital.

Learning Activity #3: Ethics and Social Responsibility:

In reference to this week's Module and scheduled readings, please describe and explain a business' ethical and social responsibilities regarding employees, clients, investors, and the community at large, and consider how these factors would be incorporated to the Executive Summary of your Business Plan term projects. Post your responses in Week 1 "Learning Activities" herein.

Learning Activity #4: "Immigration and Entrepreneurship" 

Please refer to the two reference articles, "A Small Business Barometer in Queens"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/nyregion/09astoria.html?pagewanted=all

and "Big Thoughts Early On",

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/07/jobs/hearsay-socials-chief-on-thinking-big-at-a-young-age.html

Bearing in mind the themes of ethics and social responsibility cited above, and post responses in Week 1 "Learning Activities" herein.  Feel free to site additional researched material or personal experiences, if any.