An owner of an
automobile body shop comes into your office for tax advice. He has been
thinking about updating his antiquated computer system so he purchased a
consumer handbook then he flew to San Francisco to visit the Apple Store to
shop for computers for his personal and business use. He wants to deduct the
trip, his food, the book, and the computer he purchased in San Francisco.
How would you advise him regarding the
deductions and expenses he may be able to claim? Make a recommendation
regarding how these expenses should be treated to maximize his deductions. Be
specific with your recommendation

Assignment 2: Bidding on a Contract with the Navy

Due Week 4 and worth 150 points

Based on the same scenario as in Assignment 1, imagine that you have received a Request for Proposal (RFP) #123456789, dated 07/14/2014. You also find out through a reliable source that a local competitor has also received an RFP for a similar type of product and service. Due to this, you will be required to negotiate the contract, and will need to consider the contract specifics.

Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:

1. Suggest three (3) ways in which the basic concepts of the FAR Policy would mutually benefit your small business and the Navy.
2. Determine the method that you will use for solicitation of a bid. Next, explain why the Navy is likely to choose your company in the sealed-bidding process.
3. Use at least three (3) quality references Note: Wikipedia and other related websites do not qualify as academic resources. 

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. 

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Interpret the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to determine requirements and resolve issues.
• Explain the government acquisition process using sealed bidding, negotiations, and alternative contracting methods.
• Describe the various types of contracts and considerations for their use.
• Outline and explain the process for developing competitive proposals and source selection.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in federal acquisition and contract management.
• Write clearly and concisely about federal acquisition and contract management using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and 

Rules of Discussion

As a student, you are expected to actively engage in discussions each week as a way to help you and your classmates work through ideas, ask questions, and collaborate to reach a better understanding of the topic(s) being explored in the class. This guide provides a general overview of how discussions work to help you to make the most out of your discussions (and earn a better grade!). After reading this, if you have any additional questions, please contact your instructor.

General Tips

1.Do not think of the discussion as a way to show what you already know, but rather as an opportunity to learn something you don’t know. Think of the discussion forum as a learning tool, not as simply another writing assignment.

2.In each of your posts, ask questions, share your ideas (even if they aren’t fully developed yet), and work with your fellow students and your instructor to reach understanding.

3.Accept that even your best ideas might be challenged. You don’t have to accept ideas that differ from your own, but you do have to accept that other people may think differently. Keep in mind, in discussions you cannot be wrong so long as you can support your position. We often learn much more by discussing what we don’t know than the things we do.

4.Read the directions carefully; make sure you address each of the discussion requirements thoroughly.

5.Never type in all-caps — writing this way is the written equivalent of yelling. There should never be a situation where you have to resort to yelling at your instructor or classmates.

6.Use correct grammar – your contribution will be evaluated on how well you communicate your thoughts. Don’t let poor grammar or spelling hurt the communication of your ideas.

7.Be kind — ideas are meant to be challenged, but don’t be too aggressive or negative. Make your responses constructive.

Managing Your Discussions

Each week, you will be asked to make a minimum of three posts (one initial; two responses) to each discussion forum. Here is a suggestion about how to schedule your time each week:

1.Read the discussion topics(s) early in the week, but don’t respond right away. Use these to help you focus your reading and study.

2.Review your instructor’s weekly announcement for any tips he or she may have for you. This is important!

3.Work through the readings and lectures for the week. Take notes as you read. Write down any questions or comments you have.

4.By Sunday of the week (the earlier the better), submit your initial post to the discussion forum. Use your notes to help you assemble your post. Make sure you address all of the requirements/questions asked of you in the forum directions.

5.Read the initial posts of your fellow students and/or instructor. Make a constructive comment and ask at least one question in response to at least two posts that interest you. Make sure you do this early enough in the week for your classmates/instructors to answer your questions.

6.Respond to questions asked of you. Think more about learning through the discussion than simply defending your preexisting ideas (though you can do that too).

Suggested Sequence for Academic Success

DAY OF THE WEEK	TASK
WEDNESDAY	Read the discussion topic(s) and weekly assignment directions. Review your instructor’s weekly announcement.
THURSDAY	Work through the readings and lectures for the week. Take notes as you read.
FRIDAY	Continue working through readings and lectures for the week. Take notes as you read.
SATURDAY	Write and submit your initial post to the discussion forum. Start thinking about your weekly assignment.
SUNDAY	Begin reading and responding to your fellow students’ posts. Begin crafting your weekly assignment.
MONDAY	Finish responding to posts and any questions asked of you. Finish your weekly assignment and begin revising it.
TUESDAY	Finish revising your weekly assignment and submit it. Check to make sure you have done everything asked of you for the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I post to the Discussion Forum?

1.For your initial weekly post:

a.Click the “New Thread” button

b.Type in your post

c.Click “Save”

2.For your responses:

a.Open the discussion to which you are replying

b.Click “reply”

c.Type in your post

d.Click “save”

Q: When do I post?

You are expected to post at least three times in each discussion:

1.An initial post that should be 75-150 words addressing the topic(s) as stated in the directions (due by Sunday each week)

2.A response to at least two of your classmates’ or instructor’s initial posts for a minimum of two response posts (due by Tuesday each week)

Though it isn’t always required, it is good form to answer any questions directed toward your post(s). Check the discussion directions to determine if this is a requirement.

Q: What do I post?

You are expected to respond “substantively” in each discussion. This means that you should work hard to make your initial post relevant to the topic and insightful. This also means that you should make thoughtful responses and ask leading questions in your responses to other posts. Picture the class being held in a classroom, sitting in a circle. The instructor has asked a discussion question, and you are responding to that question or another student’s response.

A substantive initial post:

Is between 75-150 words (but may go longer)

Contributes to the discussion in a meaningful way

A substantive response post:

Is typically half the length of the initial post

Makes a thoughtful, constructive comment on the post

Asks questions that further the discussion

When replying:

Use the other student’s first name.

Explain why you agree or disagree; add some examples to support your position.

Feel free to relate personal, academic, or work experiences that may add to the discussion.

Your post should ask a question (i.e. ask to clarify something, or ask a “what if…” question).

Remember netiquette – be polite.

If you can, refer to the class readings and/or lectures.

Q: Can you provide examples of good initial and response posts?

Type of Post	A Good Post	A Not-So-Good Post
Initial	I have to admit, before reading about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) this week, I never really thought much about it. According to the readings, NCLB is meant to hold schools and teachers to a higher standard as a way to improve the education system in America (p. 124). As it turns out, it seems that schools simply resort to teaching the test questions rather than teaching students how to understand the class topics. I think learning is more than just memorizing facts; we have to figure out what those facts mean, and NCLB seems to have overlooked that in its design. From my understanding, it seems like NCLB is a failure, and we should probably start looking at other ways to improve our schools. One question: Why is it that the schools that are underperforming get less money when they clearly need more to improve? That confuses me. It seems backwards.	No Child Left Behind is meant to hold schools to a higher standard. It didn’t work, so there really isn’t much to talk about here. We need to do something different.
Response	David, You make some good points here, but I disagree. I think NCLB is a good concept that holds schools responsible for educating their students. What’s wrong with that? The problem isn’t the policy; it’s the way teachers managed it. In answer to your question, why should bad schools get more money? Shouldn’t the good schools be recognized for their efforts? What if it was set up the other way—wouldn’t schools try to be bad to get more money?	I agree! I disagree! Good job! You rock! I can tell you have never really thought about this. It shows. You can’t blame the policy when it is the teachers who failed. Seriously, wake up!

Essay #1 Introduction + Thesis

Re-read the essay prompt again so that you understand what this essay is about and what you need to do. On Wednesday 1/29, you will write your 1st draft of this paper in class. Before you write this draft on Wednesday, however, I want you to prepare for Wednesday by 1) writing your introduction and thesis.

This introduction should be about 1/2 to 1.25 pages long (MLA format). What should you include in this introduction? Consider…

• Introducing your topic of writing in an interesting way. You can tell your own story or part of a story, begin with a short hook like Shelly Reid did “Writing is hard” to begin her own article, do discuss the different aspects of writing, especially college writing.
• Introducing yourself and how this writing is related to you
• Including a catchy, unique hook (first one or two sentences to attract the reader) to your introduction
• Including a thesis at the end of your introduction that informs your reader what kind of writer you are and perhaps how/when/why you are this writer. A thesis can also include your “plan” for the essay as we discussed in class.