SMC SFS

Team Capabilities

Tecolote has a 24-year track record of providing SMC with highly experienced, expertly trained staff to support technical requirements; to effectively and efficiently manage tasks within cost and schedule objectives; to foster a cooperative relationship with our SMC customers that encourages communication and ensures responsive support; and to provide quality products and services. The accountability for successful performance of this contract is assigned to Mr. Lee M. Atkins, General Manager for Tecolote’s Los Angeles Division. Mr. Atkins is our focal point for SFS and has a successful track record leading the Tecolote Team. Our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and Team stability makes Tecolote the ideal choice for SFS.

Staffing Procedures/Capability: Our team-member management plan is proven, equitable, offers best value, and ensures the right resources are assigned to each job.

Office within 2 Hours of SMC: We are located at 3601 Aviation Boulevard—less than 10 minutes from SMC. BAH, IDS, Galorath, Wallender, and Monitor all have offices within 2 hours of SMC.

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): Tecolote is dedicated to providing the best possible support to our Government clients with no real or perceived conflicts of interest. Tecolote has a record for not accepting contracts that present potential OCI issues.

Quality Assurance Plan: Our quality assurance plan focuses on sound methodology development, consistency, standardization, the latest lessons-learned between tasks, and analytic results that are fully replicable. Tecolote has processes in place that centralize our review process and ensure the highest quality products and services.

The Tecolote Team provides the following services under the SFS BPA. We will gladly provide additional details on our experience and processes, upon request.

Cost Estimating: Tecolote provides a disciplined approach to cost estimating using a team that understands the SMC mission and specific client needs. We bridge the gap between engineering and the financial considerations of program management. Tecolote’s proven process and our experienced staff meet the cost estimating needs of SMC SPOs. We were instrumental in every SMC estimate taken to the Cost Analysis Improvement Group (CAIG) and Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) over the last 15 years. Monitor provides insights from the investment, financial, and stakeholders’ perspective to help SMC craft acquisition strategies and understand program risks. BAH brings a critical technical perspective to further strengthen the link between technical design and estimating detail. Galorath provides critical model development skills and SEER application expertise.

Cost-Related Research: Tecolote has widely-recognized processes for data collection and normalization that emphasize quality of data. We are very successful in rotating analysts between research and estimating tasks, resulting in models that fully meet the needs of our customers. Tecolote’s application of our proven, systematic process, the skills and experience of our staff, along with our diligence in pursuing new data ensures that cost estimating and cost performance tools are meaningful and provide value to the customer. We used our process to continuously update and develop models such as the Unmanned Space Vehicle Cost Model (USCM) and program-specific models used within various SMC SPOs. Our ongoing collaboration with the NRO and support to SMC’s first-ever CIPT continues to yield innovations for both organizations. BAH, Galorath, and Monitor provide broad space systems technical and programmatic experience to enhance the utility of data and methods.

Commitment/Obligation/Expenditure Reconciliation: Our approach is built upon solid contract reconciliation and closeout expertise and our experience with SMC, the Air Force, and Department of Defense (DoD) major program budget review and approval processes. IDS has supported all automated financial systems at SMC, including Automated Business Services System (ABSS), Looking Glass, CCaR, Standard Contract Reconciliation Tool (SCRT), Viewfinder, etc. IDS offers a developer's understanding of the financial systems and processes.

Budget Support: Tecolote has 23 years experience providing SMC with an end-to-end process that translates cost estimates into sound POM/BES profiles, budget exhibits, obligation and expenditure forecasts, and spend plans. We have the tools, knowledge, and experience required to secure approval of and execute funding for space programs. For SMC SPOs, CCaR is the primary tool used to capture program requirements and the primary mechanism to generate, approve, and release funding documents. Our analysts are intimately familiar with CCaR.

Earned Value (EV) Analysis: The Tecolote Team’s EVM analysis process identifies cost, schedule, and performance issues that affect program health. We are experienced at supporting IBRs and developing EACs to meet the specific needs of our customers. Our knowledge of SMC contracts and contractors, combined with our innovative EV analysis and presentation methods provides SMC managers the detailed information they need to make sound decisions. BAH and WA apply their SMC EVM expertise to establish EVM analysis systems, train SMC staff, and perform analysis.

Acquisition Reports: Our process for developing the APB, SAR, MAR, and DAES relies on traceable data that provide a solid foundation for every published number. We understand the nuances of operating the Consolidated Acquisition Reporting System (CARS) and have been recognized by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) for the backup material that supports formal reviews.

Schedule Management: Our schedule management process is built on our ability to work closely with the prime contractors to better understand and assess overall program schedules. Our schedule management tools such as GPS-Today and the Test Asset Resource Tracking System (TARTS) are some of the most advanced and cutting edge—recognized by the US Inspector General and SMC/CC as “best business practices.” We have developed and maintained integrated schedule networks for joint program offices with multi-command, multi-service, multi-agency, and multi-national elements.

Training: Tecolote’s training process develops courses and course materials that are proven to work: we have some of the most qualified junior analysts in the industry. We combine the right elements of real-life theory and practical application that enable students to hit the ground running and to think-through the tough problems. We offer training by experts in such areas as SEER (Galorath), CCaR (IDS), and EVM (Wallender).