Month: November 2021

Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory Awarded $1.01B for the Space & Nuclear Advanced Prototypes, Experiments & Technology Research & Development

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory, North Logan, Utah, has been awarded a $1,010,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Space & Nuclear Advanced Prototypes, Experiments & Technology (SNAPET) Research & Development (R&D) contract. The contract provides for the research and development of essential engineering support and capability in the areas of sensor and system development, modeling and simulation, experimentation, data analysis and sensor and system validations on space vehicles. Work will be performed in North Logan, Utah; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2026. This is a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-22-D-0005). There is congressional interest pertaining to this acquisition.

Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory is located in Logan, UT, United States and is part of the Scientific Research and Development Services Industry. Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory has 1 employees at this location. (Employees figure is modelled). There are 114 companies in the Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory corporate family. (www.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: RVSS Camera Systems – Market Survey

Posted on by Eric Coffie

This is a market survey for information and comments from industry that will aid in the formation of an acquisition strategy for the procurement of the RVSS Camera Systems Z600, Z900, Z1200, & Z1360 IR imaging systems. These will support the mission of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The draft requirements are identified in the accompanying draft Statement of Work (SOW). The responses to this market survey will be used for informational purposes only. This is not a screening information request or request for proposal of any kind. The FAA is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. The FAA will not pay for any information received or costs incurred in preparing the response to the market survey. Therefore any cost associated with the market survey submission is solely at the interested vendor’s expense. At this time the nature of the competition has not been determined. The FAA may decide to do a full and open competition or set aside all or part of the procurement for small businesses, service disabled veteran-owned small businesses or eligible socially and economically disadvantaged businesses that are certified by the SBA for participation in the SBA’s 8(a) Program.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Updated Response Date: Dec 10, 2021 04:00 pm CST
  • Product Service Code: 5855 – NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT, EMITTED AND REFLECTED RADIATION
  • NAICS Code: 333314 – Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance:Oklahoma City , OK 73169 USA

Full details via beta.sam.gov

Roberta Moore: Pure Determination Led to a Whirlwind of Character Building

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn how Roberta Moore’s pure determination led to a whirlwind of character building for AMOORER, Incorporated. 

BACKGROUND

Roberta Moore began her career as a DOD civil servant for 10 years before pursuing her government contracting journey. 

In 2002, she established AMOORER, Incorporated, a healthcare staffing small business that provides professional support services and technology.

In transitioning to this industry, Moore graduated from different small business programs and has won several multi-million dollar healthcare staffing contracts with the federal government and private industry. 

Ms. Moore’s philosophy is “commitment, integrity, personalized service, and value for your money. ”

STARTING AMOORER, INCORPORATED

Moore resigned from the federal government and decided to start her own business, AMOORER, in 2002. 

She first worked with an 8a small business as a 1099er and she managed their Naval Sea Systems Command contract. 

However, when that company graduated in the 8a program and she decided to become an 8a to take over five of their contracts, she didn’t become an 8a fast enough and they ended up getting rid of it.

The good thing was, she did become an 8a and a HUBZone company and was able to get contracts in the Pentagon and other institutions. 

The other thing that led more to a whirlwind of character building for AMOORER was when Moore left a card to a man before she walked out of a Homeland Security Conference. 

“I told him that I had clear professionals at the Pentagon and that the contract was getting ready to end and iI’m looking for somewhere to place them.”

This small chance led her to meeting Deborah Scott Thomas who became her mentor and who gave her a big contract with the DLA in Baghdad.

Moore’s experience wasn’t just all sunshines and rainbows. She also experienced a handful of difficulties that motivated her to continue growing as a business owner. 

One of the hardest decisions that she made was letting go of her Chief Operating Officer who became a huge part of their family and business, due to the reason that her contract is drying up and she couldn’t afford a pay cut. 

“It’s a difficult process because you don’t know what to expect. You don’t know if you’re going to be able to sustain even the cuts.”

Apart from that, building AMOORER also made her realize that the people around her think about her well-being, even though they may not fully understand everything or may not be able to give any business advice.

One key person that made her realize this is her mother who kept motivating her to keep going and who was willing to do anything to help her. 

“My mom could not give me any business advice. I mean, she didn’t have anything but it was just shared— shared compassion, shared understanding.”

ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Before investing on different resources to help you grow your business, ask yourself first if you have the capacity to go through different difficulties in building a business.

Consider that not everyone will be successful in this lucrative field. Many will fail and only the ones who are willing to go through the other side will be the winner.

“That’s something to think about. And it didn’t come from a bad place. It hurt, but it was true.”

Apart from that, winning contracts is not just the goal, winning continuous and lasting contracts, that is. 

In order to achieve that, you need to build relationships and you need to start going out and introduce yourself and your company’s capabilities a handful of times. 

“It’s more than just government contracting. It’s really about those relationships that you build along the way and what you learn.”

So, are you willing to go through all of these like Roberta Moore? 

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about how Roberta Moore’s pure determination led to a whirlwind of character building for AMOORER, Incorporated, then be sure to click the resources below.

You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

089: Roberta Moore – Pure Determination and a Chance Lead to a Whirlwind of Character Building

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIRHHcuS7OE

Deceit envy and betrayal all in the name of winning a contract

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWz6nlVhWGs&t=21s

 

Johns Hopkins University $225M for engineering, development, and research capabilities.

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Maryland, was awarded a $225,000,000 ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee term and completion task orders contemplated for engineering, development, and research capabilities. This contract provides for establishing and maintaining an essential capability for engineering or developmental work calling for the practical application of investigative findings and theories of a scientific or technical nature. Work will be performed primarily in Laurel, Maryland, with an expected ordering completion date of November 2026. No funds are being obligated at the time of award; the minimum guaranteed amount will be obligated with the first task order. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR001122D0001).

Founded in 1876 with a $7 million bequest from its namesake, The Johns Hopkins University has established its reputation by molding itself in the image of a European research institution. While renowned for its School of Medicine, the private university offers 260 academic programs spanning fields of study including arts and sciences, business, and international studies. The university enrolls more than 24,000 full- and part-time students. Johns Hopkins has about a half-dozen campuses in Maryland and Washington, DC, as well as facilities in China and Italy. The student-teacher ratio is 13:1. The affiliated Johns Hopkins Health System provides health care from its three Baltimore-area hospitals.(www.dnb.com)

SOURCE SOUGHT: Fishing Creek South Jetty Rehab and Maintenance Dredging, Calvert County, Maryland

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The U.S. Corps of Engineers Baltimore District is seeking sources for a construction project entitled, Fishing Creek South Jetty Rehab and Maintenance Dredging. This will be a firm-fixed price construction contract. The place of performance is located at the Town of Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County, Maryland. Construction magnitude is between $1,000,000.00 to $5,000,000.00. The construction duration will be approximately 270 calendar days. The scope includes the rehabilitation of the southern jetty at Fishing Creek to a height of 6 ft MLLW using 1.5 to 3 ton capstone. The jetty rehabilitation will be segmented into three sections with a total length of approximately 1,000 ft. An access channel will need to be dredged prior to construction due to no land access at the jetty. The access channel will be no more than 75 ft wide and 10 ft MLLW deep. Dredged material will be placed at an existing nearby upland placement site. Maintenance dredging will occur at the Fishing Creek federal navigation channel. Approximately 22,000 cubic yards of material will be hydraulically dredged and transported via pipeline to the same existing upland site as the access channel dredged material. Earthwork berm repairs, including possibly raising of the existing berms, may be needed at the existing placement site.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: Z1PC – MAINTENANCE OF UNIMPROVED REAL PROPERTY (LAND)
  • NAICS Code: 237990 – Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
  • Place of Performance:Chesapeake Beach , MD 20732 USA
  • Updated Response Date: Dec 10, 2021.

Full details via beta.sam.gov

 

HomeSafe Alliance LLC Awarded $6.18B for procurement of the global household goods contract

Posted on by Eric Coffie

HomeSafe Alliance LLC, Houston, Texas, has been awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustments, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HTC711-22-D-R0002) with a total cumulative face value in the amount of $6,186,747,799 in the procurement of the global household goods contract. The contract provides complete door-to-door global household goods relocation transportation and warehouse services worldwide for Department of Defense (DOD) service members, U.S. Coast Guard members, DOD civilians and their families. The contractor will integrate a network of household goods service providers from across the existing sphere of the commercial moving industry, and will ensure that a minimum of 40% of the total acquisition value of the domestic work performed flows down to subcontracted small businesses. Work is to be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order. The contract transition period and base period of performance is from Dec. 1, 2021, to Aug. 31, 2025. Transition services will be funded with fiscal 2022 transportation working capital funds. Task orders will be funded by each of the military services using military personnel funding at the task order level. This contract was a competitive acquisition and U.S. Transportation Command received seven offers. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

Homesafe Alliance Llc. is located in Houston, TX, United States and is part of the Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services Industry. Homesafe Alliance Llc. has 10 total employees across all of its locations and generates $268,027 in sales (USD). (Sales figure is modelled).(www.dnb.com)

THE REALITY BEHIND SBA SUBNET

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The SBA SubNet Subcontracting network was brought to my attention by some of my students. They were asking if this network is a promising avenue for breaking their way into federal government contracting. 

Is the SBA subcontracting website worth your time? Let’s dive deep and discover the truth behind the SBA SubNet.

WHY DO LARGE COMPANIES OFFER SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES

According to FAR Part 19 Subpart 19.7 Section 19.704 in acquisition.gov, large companies or prime contractors must create subcontracting plans and offer subcontracting opportunities. Thus, the government literally obligates them to provide opportunities. 

An article, SBA Clarifies Subcontracting Plan Rules, published last year, talked about the changes or limitations made by the SBA concerning numerous aspects of small business contracting rules. 

If the government had resorted to emphasizing the rules already set in place, It shows that many companies were failing to follow them. 

Prime contractors were reported to have turned in subcontracting plan reports late, not paid small business subcontractors on time, did not designate an employee monitor, not maintained records of compliance, and not done market research.

Although it’s great that the SBA is taking action against these types of behavior, the SBA had already done this in 2013, which means this is a recurring problem.

When I had Angela Terry, SBA Subcontracting network program manager, on my podcast, she informed me of some interesting things. She said that the SBA had not put a lot of effort into their website.

The SBA has done many great things for the small business community, but they fall short in certain areas.

CONTRACTORS ON THE SBA SUBNET WEBSITE

There have been many instances wherein large contractors have said that their subcontracting plan is not public information. Instead, they want to keep it to themselves.

Most, if not all, of the companies found on the SBA SubNet website, have not met their subcontracting plans. Consequently, these contractors are required to post subcontracting opportunities on the website for not complying with the rules.

Is that somebody you want to do business with? Probably not. I don’t want you to get caught up in the idea that people on the SubNet website genuinely want to help small businesses because that is not the case.

So, where does that leave us? The government has so many good ways that you can market yourself. I, personally, just don’t think that the SBA SubNet website is one of them.

PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE

I know how difficult it is when you’re first starting, and you’re still exploring these different avenues for opportunities. 

You then read from an official government website that they have these programs in place for small businesses. Because you don’t know a lot, you trust that these programs offer you the best possible opportunities for your company, but they don’t. 

If I could save one of you from the pain and suffering that I had to endure and go through when growing my business, then that’s what I want to do.

I want to share with you the path of least resistance. We have limited time and resources, so I want to help you find the way that can give you the most, in terms of opportunity, for yourself and your company.

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about the tips and tricks in winning government contracts, then join us here at GovCon Giants.

You could also visit our website and other social media platforms or check the new GovCon Edu, where you learn everything about government contracting!

To learn more about the topic above, check these resources below:

Is the SBA Subcontracting website worth time and energy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPs4aUB-9Io

028: Angela Terry – SBA Subcontracting Program Manager

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/028-2/

SOURCES SOUGHT: Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) Follow-On Procurement

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Government plans to solicit a competitive Firm-Fixed Price contract requiring a Public Private Partnership (P3) with Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) for the Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) contract to procure a minimum of 104 JAB systems, to include ancillary services and continuing Field Service Representative (FSR) support through December 2027. The JAB provides the United States (U.S) Army with scissoring bridge capability. The JAB Chassis is defined as the M1A1 chassis with the Bridge Launcher Mechanism (BLM) installed. The JAB System is defined as the JAB Chassis with the Military Load Classification (MLC)-115 Heavy Assault Scissoring Bridge (HASB) stowed on the BLM. The JAB Unique Components are defined as the JAB BLM and associated components added to, or modified on, the M1A1 chassis. The MLC-115 HASB is an existing item which will be supplied as Government Furnished Property (GFP), which shall not be modified.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: 5420 – BRIDGES, FIXED AND FLOATING
  • NAICS Code: 336992 – Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Original Response Date: Dec 03, 2021

Full details via beta.sam.gov

111: Eric Coffie – Special Thanksgiving Episode

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Listen to this week’s podcast, as I talk about the things that I am thankful and grateful for this year in this special episode.

My message is to be mindful of the things you consume, to be mindful of your thoughts and your beliefs and actions and to focus your energy and time on the things that really matter that will bring you the success for yourself and your business.

In this episode, I shared about how your perspective in life will affect the way you live your life. As a great example, I talked about my recent podcast episode with Rochelle Bell Bonty on how she was about to be laid off from her job to offer her newly formed corporation to perform the work under her company name.

And as always, we’re going to keep doing what we do in 2022. We’re still going to finish up this year strong and looking forward to setting up a whole new group of entrepreneurs and hitting their six figure contract, hitting their first seven figure in revenues and hitting their  five million dollar mark. 

Thank you so much as always, enjoy the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving!

Security 1 Solutions LLC Awarded $119M to provide the Pentagon Force Protection Agency contracted security personnel

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Security 1 Solutions LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, was awarded a firm-fixed and labor hours contract (HQ003422C0005). The amount of this action is $119,301,880. The purpose of this contract is to provide the Pentagon Force Protection Agency contracted security personnel to provide protection of its facilities, physical assets, and all other related operational activities for designated locations within the National Capital Region. This responsibility includes security of the buildings; identification passes, anti-terrorism, and force protection; chemical biological, radiological, and nuclear protection and detection, and other key functions. Work will be performed at the Pentagon and the Mark Center. Fiscal 2022 funds will be obligated in the amount of $5,039,736 at the time of award (Building Maintenance Fund, Defense in the amount of $4,427,316; and Pentagon Reservation Maintenance Revolving Fund, Defense in the amount of $612,420. Funds in the amount of $5,039,736 will be obligated at the time of the award. The expected completion date is Nov. 4, 2026. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

Security 1 Solutions, LLC is located in Gaithersburg, MD, United States and is part of the Investigation and Security Services Industry. Security 1 Solutions, LLC has 150 total employees across all of its locations and generates $5.94 million in sales (USD). (Sales figure is modelled).(www.dnb.com)