Details About Systems Engineering Technical Assistance

By Nancy Allen


Mission-based agencies have a lot of complex systems that they deal with. In such a case, they have to hire technical assistance and advisers to help them out in procurement and usage of such systems. It is recommendable to understand these service providers to get the best out of them. Continue reading this article to acquaint with details about systems engineering technical assistance.

Acquaint with the responsibilities of the assistance. There is a wide range of roles that these service providers can offer. The agency is responsible for hiring usually provide an outline of every responsibility they expect from their applicant. Even so, there are conventional roles that are recurrent in most contracts. The sort of functions includes analyzing systems, monitoring and evaluating systems and provide independent validations and verification.

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.

Criteria to select the best candidate. Using a Request for Proposal (FRP) and a Request for Information (RFI) provides an integral way to get down to a reliable service provider. The agency might not necessarily hire the expert to provide the necessary services but can also contract one to manage other contracts. As a way to manage conflict of interest, every shortlisted candidate should sign a Non-disclosure agreement highlighting their disinterest in essential service delivery.

Regulations used in applications. The acquisition of a professional service provider requires a lot of strict and rigorous selection procedure. Therefore, there are regulations provided by agencies in charge of this process to ascertain the correct choice. Documents that provide insight into the hiring criteria include the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations, DOD and the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The main highlights of regulations to consider are in section 37 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

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.

Ways to improve the capabilities of agencies involved in hiring. The recruitment of these service provider requires improvement to ensure that they offer a cost-effective service. The Department of defense should focus on aspects such as maintaining objectivity in their hiring process and allowing enough leverage in their existing infrastructure. They should also deal with challenges that result from inadequacy in specifying the requirements of their recruitment.

How to develop independence in SETA firms. SETA firms require independence for more efficient delivery of service. So, there are ways that the responsible agency should consider to meet this objective. For starters, the responsible agencies should increase the level of competition and at the same time, reduce the expenses. It should also increase potential in best-value solutions and balance the conflict of interest with the private sector.




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