By Anonymous on Thursday, May 03, 2001 - 08:18 pm:

Can someone tell me what should be in a document called "Letter of Commitment to Work" I vaguely remember running across some language in the FAR that addresses this issue, but can't recall the FAR clause. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

By FF on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 09:38 am:

Maybe someone else has more insight. The only thing that comes to mind is having potential offerors include letters from subs (individuals as well as companies) agreeing to work on the project should the prime be successful. It's just a way of ensuring the prime will actually deliver a key person.

By Eric Ottinger on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 10:22 am:

Anon,

True Confessions:

I remember sitting down at a post award conference with the successful offeror and discovering to my discomfort that he had letters from people all over the country, but he had not yet negotiated salary with any of these people. This raised a big question about whether all or any of these people would actually come to work. (Fortunately, most of them did.)

As a PCO I would like to see some agreement (however, tentative) regarding salary.

Eric

By Anonymous2 on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 11:57 am:

Anonymous---

I don't think there is any FAR coverage on key personnel letters of commitment. Maybe in some FAR supplement.

By Anonymous on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 04:04 pm:

Thanks all, I gave it my best shot and drafted a document that basically stated the date of availability, the length of commitment, and acceptance that each individual that’s assigned to the project will sign off as committing and a signature block for the company’s representative to sign off too. While thinking this will suffice the requirements of the Government a co-worker threw me a curve ball. He/she said the letter of commitment to work should come directly from the individuals and not from the company. My initial thought on this is that the contract agreement is with the company, therefore, the letter should come from the company. Am I correct to assume this?

Second argument, he/she believes that this document acts as an offer of employment with the company. Although tailored to read as contingent upon the award of the contract, I’m merrily trying to meet the requirements of the Government. This document is unique in itself, not all solicitation require this, therefore if a new hire than this document would accompany the company’s official offer letter. If in the case of new hire I would think salaries are negotiated before the incumbent signs the letter and his/her salary would be factored in the propose. Certainly I don’t think that any company for that matter would obtain commitments from just any body without the intent to hire. Do they???

By Anonymous on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 04:41 pm:

The letters of commitments I have seen are usually provided by the offeror as part of the technical submission. The letters are signed by the proposed individual and include commitment to work for the company in the event the contract is awarded. There are usually enough details to tell that the commitment is related to the contract being contemplated (RFP number / start date / general description of services) and to give an idea of the individuals qualifications. I am used to FFP contracts, and do not really look for salary information.