Question from Karl Fogel (reposted with permission): I was just curious how much experience you've had with federal government RFI / RFP authoring, contract language, and general contracting process?  I.e., the non-code aspects of OSS procurement at the federal level?

My Response:  I've been working in DoD contracting since 1998, working mostly with the Army but having lots of interactions with other agencies (domestic and foreign) over the decades since.  I definitely have a fair bit of experience with the (exceptionally fickle) RFI/RFP processes, SBIRs, contracting clauses, etc, and have successfully bid and worked a dozen or more contracts.  I know it well enough to know that you generally need help, prior experience, and a connection.