Bidding Ex-Government Employees

Are there reasons to (not) bid an ex-government employee on a program?

Bidding Ex-Government Employees

The general thought is that the probability of program award increases if you can find the right ex-government employee to bid in an impactful position.  This individual would likely come from the organization to which you are putting in the bid, and hopefully, through due diligence and reference checks, the individual checks out both from a knowledge and reputation perspective.  The individual can be hired into your organization, fulfilling some role until the award is announced, or perhaps contracted as a contingency hire.  For the former, many awards can stretch out so the cost of the individual adds up.  And what happens if the worst happens and you lose the program?  You had best have alternative plans in place for the individual.  Regarding the later, a contingency hire is effective as the contractor does not have to fully compensate the individual until and unless the award is made in the contractor’s favor.   

So you find a prior govee that comes from the organization you are bidding that wants to double dip, or draw government retirement while also drawing a private sector salary.  You have to be careful as I have heard two different exchanges:  1) “Yes, bring him back as he is a friend and very knowledgeable of our challenges;” and, 2) “No, keep him away.  If he is so all fired up and valuable now, why didn’t he provide that help when he was here?”