- Eric Coffie
- September 23, 2025
The Dangerous Mistake Costing You $800,000 in Government Contracting!
In today’s episode of The Daily Windup, I break down how the consultant approach in government contracting can put $50,000 to $250,000 in your pocket per deal—without waiting five to seven years to “grow organically.” Instead of grinding it out on small projects, I show you how to partner with established companies that already have […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 22, 2025
How a $25,000 SBA Loan Nearly Crushed This Business Before It Took Off!
On today’s episode of The Daily Windup, I sit down with an entrepreneur who launched a blue-collar oil company in Boston with nothing more than grit, sacrifice, and a risky SBA loan. Starting with just $7,000 in cash and a $25,000 SBA loan, he went all-in during the worst possible timing—the 2007 financial downturn—when everyone […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 19, 2025
Are IDIQ Loopholes Destroying Small Business Opportunities?
On today’s Daily Windup, I hammer home one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—concepts in government contracting: the Rule of Two. If there’s a reasonable expectation that at least two small businesses can bid at fair market prices, agencies are required to set contracts aside. Yet too often, agencies sidestep this by funneling work into […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 18, 2025
Contract Actions Down, Awards Bigger—Are Micro Firms Getting Squeezed Out?
Today on the Daily Windup, I get real about why so many one-to-three-person shops struggle to break into government contracting. Too many “rice bowl” programs run in silos, too many events promise the world and deliver confusion, and folks get pressured to “share it with your network” before anyone vets the content. I only put […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 17, 2025
293: A Shocking $1.7B in Government Contracting Money at Sandia (67% to Small Biz!) with Zach Mikelson
On today’s episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, I sit down with Zach Michelson, Small Business Program Manager at Sandia National Laboratories. Sandia is more than just a research and development hub — it’s a $5.2 billion operation that spent nearly $1.7 billion in subcontracts last year. Even more shocking, over $1 billion went directly […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 16, 2025
Stop Ignoring Business Development—It’s Why Small Firms Fail
On today’s Daily Windup, I break down the reality behind recent reports on the federal contracting market. While confidence is up thanks to the $2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the truth is small businesses are struggling more than ever. We’re seeing 30% fewer small business entrants into the federal marketplace and 40% fewer […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 15, 2025
The Hidden Dangers of Overseas Contracts Nobody Warns You About
On today’s Daily Windup, I sit down with Corliss Uduema—who proudly calls herself the “365 24/7 Veteran Supporter”—to hear her incredible journey from managing government contracts overseas in Italy and Japan to launching her own business back home. Corliss shares what it was like to operate with limited resources abroad, why being mission-focused is essential, […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 12, 2025
Are You Missing Out on $Millions in AI & Blockchain Contracts?
On today’s Daily Windup, I sit down with the founder of Triforce, a company that has been delivering IT solutions for nearly 22 years. What started as an idea with friends turned into a solo journey fueled by excellence, integrity, and hard work. Triforce has grown into a powerhouse in software development, IT staffing, cybersecurity, […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 11, 2025
Small Business in Name Only: How the Feds Keep You Out of Big Contracts!
On today’s Daily Windup, I’m breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions in government contracting—what it really means to be considered a “small business.” You might think $20 million in annual revenue makes you a big player, but under federal rules, you’re still classified as small. In fact, construction companies don’t lose that “small business” […]
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- Eric Coffie
- September 10, 2025
292: How a $100/Week Janitorial Gig Led to a $20M Government Contract with Kitson Walker
I brought on a Service-Disabled Veteran who went from a $250 local gig and an $8,000/year federal janitorial contract (paying $100/week to a tech and buying supplies out of pocket) to landing a $20,000,000 federal award that instantly added 50+ new hires and pushed his team to 90 employees. We break down why early past […]
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