Month: December 2024

The Department of Veterans Affairs has stopped accepting applications for the certification or re-verification of veteran-owned small businesses, effective October 24, 2022. Starting on January 1, 2023, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will take over all verification processes.

Firms that are already verified do not need to take any action except for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) and VOSBs, whose verification expires before the transfer date. They must have applied for re-verification later than October 24, 2022.

Self-certified firms must apply through the SBA to maintain their status as veteran-owned small businesses or service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Tracking solicitations on SAM shows that most pre-solicitations that meet a socioeconomic designation are falling under the category of veteran-owned small businesses. Tune in to this episode to learn more!

In this episode, we discuss certifications and programs that can be valuable for minority-owned businesses. Kevin joins us as shares how he was able to win a contract with Wells Fargo by leveraging his NMSDC certification.

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) certifies minority-owned businesses, while Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is a certification issued by a different organization. If you want to learn more about MBEs, NMSDC certification and their functions this episode is perfect for you.

In this episode of the GovCon Giants podcast, I’m bringing back a true powerhouse in the world of government contracting — Michelle Burnett, Executive Director of the HubZone Contractors National Council and President of HubZone Council, Inc. If you’ve ever wondered why billions in HubZone contracts go unclaimed or how to position your business for success, this episode is for you.  

Michelle breaks down the real challenges facing small businesses trying to tap into HubZone opportunities. We talk about new regulations, the power of teaming, and why small firms (even with less than 10 employees) can still win big. She shares game-changing strategies on how to “flip the script” and position your company as a must-have partner for larger contractors.  

We also dig into the true mission behind the HubZone program — it’s not just about landing contracts, it’s about revitalizing communities and creating jobs where they’re needed most. Plus, Michelle shares success stories of businesses that have leveraged these strategies to change their entire trajectory.  

This episode is packed with actionable advice, insider tips, and a fresh perspective on HubZone opportunities. If you want to learn how to turn overlooked set-asides into wins, you need to tune in.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-burnett-21737771/

Hubzone Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hubzone-contractors-national-council/

Website: https://www.hubzonecouncil.org/ 

Email: info@hubzonecouncil.org 

In this episode, I discuss various opportunities to respond to government contracts so you can show interest in any particular bids. Some bids may not be posted on the government’s website and so you can respond to requests for information even if they are not formal bids.

I also highlighted an example of a request for information on body armor to illustrate the process, so you can see that responding to a request for information is easier than responding to a formal bid. A request for information can help define the procurement strategy and may lead to a contract without a formal bid process.

In today’s podcast, we have two experts who will be speaking about DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS), Mike and his wife Vanessa. Mike is a pilot who did 700,000 in sales in August and over 5 million in sales for the year shares his experience. 

We also have a Q&A session to guide you look at sources sought on Sam.gov. Noy only that, in this episode, I share how you can navigate Sam.gov and download relevant information into a CSV file. So tune in to this episode now to learn more!

In this episode, we have Lynwood Owens, Jr. who talks about his experience with acquisition in the IT industry. He shares how he found the Service Disabled Veteran-owned company that he worked for and helped grow, and how the company was later acquired by General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) due to its CMMI Level 3 certification, which helped GDIT obtain more government contracts.

He also talks about how he previously worked for an 8(a) company that was acquired by General Dynamics, which later became GDIT. if you want to learn more about Lynwood’s experience and wisdom, listen to this episode.

In today’s podcast, we talk about the importance of reviewing past RFPs/RFQs in order to build a team in advance for future Recompetes. To start, waiting until the contract comes out is not an effective strategy, it’s vital to pull down past RFPs/RFQs and make sure that you check all the boxes.

It’s also important to have the right resources and partners in order to meet the criteria for future contracts. Everyone faces the same challenges and that it is important to put in the work, regardless of the size of the organization or how much money you have. Tune in to this episode now to learn more!

In this episode, we discuss compliance monitoring and enforcement for government contracts. My guest, who works in compliance monitoring, explains that they work for both the government and contractors to ensure compliance with regulations.

If someone notices a contract not meeting compliance, they can reach out to the government. Also, while its true that the government has limited resources and priorities that can change with administrations, we suggest to make it easier for the government to investigate cases can help rise the case’s importance level. Tune in to this episode to learn more!

In this podcast, I emphasize the importance of building a network and community, and discuss the benefits of partnering with others in order to win contracts.

With that, I encourage individuals to focus on their strengths and advantages when targeting contracts, and caution against burnout. I also share examples of successful partnerships and encourage individuals to reach out for support. My goal is to help small businesses and minorities succeed in government contracting. So tune in to this episode if you want to know more!

In this episode of the GovCon Giants podcast, we sit down with Fergal McGovern, CEO of Visible Thread, a trailblazer in government contracting and software innovation. As the first guest of his kind on the show, Fergal shares his remarkable journey from launching his first company, Still Trace, to leading the development of Visible Thread — a revolutionary tool designed to simplify the review and interpretation of complex government documents. His career is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and the ability to transform industry challenges into groundbreaking solutions.

Throughout the conversation, we delve into the nuances of language in government contracts, highlighting the most common linguistic mistakes that even seasoned professionals make. Fergal reveals how automation and software can significantly streamline the document review process, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce the risk of costly errors. He also emphasizes the critical role that storytelling plays in making proposals stand out in the competitive federal marketplace.

Fergal’s unique approach to proposal review is transforming how companies navigate government contracts. His insights provide a fresh perspective on how technology, clear communication, and strategy can give contractors a competitive edge. From his experiences building software companies to his game-changing work with Visible Thread, Fergal offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, automation, and the future of proposal management.

This episode is a must-listen for government contractors, proposal writers, and anyone looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of federal contracts. Stay tuned to the end, where Fergal reveals the ultimate language hack that could change the way you approach your next proposal.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fergalmcgovern/

Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/visiblethread/

Website: https://www.visiblethread.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visiblethread 

Email: info@visiblethread.com