Govcon Giants

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Kendall, former Secretary of the Air Force and Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Frank shares what’s really happening behind the scenes of the newly announced $175 billion “Golden Dome” program—a reboot of Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative that could balloon to $500 billion. We talk about what this means for government co...

In this episode of Govcon Giants, I sit down with Lisa Shea Mundt, Co-Founder of The Pulse of GovCon, to unpack how artificial intelligence is transforming the federal marketplace — from the GSA’s Grok AI rollout to the Pentagon’s $200 million AI investments. With 14 years of experience and billions in proposal wins, Lisa shares a front-row view of how automation is reshaping the bid process — and...

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I expose the hard truth about financing in government contracting—why banks lend only to those who don’t need money and how the wrong SBA loan can trap you for years. We unpack a real story of a contractor who borrowed $800,000 under a 10-year SBA loan only to find it blocked her from getting new funding for awarded contract...

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we explore how small businesses can leverage over 200 proven GovCon templates and AI-powered tools to win millions in government contracts—while also learning how shifting regulations and compliance costs are reshaping the financing landscape for contractors. I also share a real-world story of one entrepreneur who scaled her...

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I break down how billions in government contracts go unclaimed every year—and how to make sure your business isn’t part of that statistic. We walk through the pitch deck process, TRL levels, and the exact details you need to win over DoD evaluators. You’ll also learn why following formatting instructions (yes, down to Times ...

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I dive into what separates struggling government contractors from the ones winning consistently—it’s not luck, it’s relationships. We uncover how transparency, community, and the right financial partners can make or break your business. I share why visibility matters (Encore’s team hit

In this Govcon Giants episode, I sat down with Eric Raven, former Under Secretary of the Navy (2022–2024) and longtime defense budget insider, to uncover how a $260B department with nearly 900,000 people actually buys from tens of thousands of small businesses—and where the next wave of Government contracting dollars is headed. From small-business access through Gold Coast (Navy Gold Coast Conference) and buying commands like NAVAI...

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we explore why project management skills—not just certifications—can make or break your success in business and government contracting. From PMP to Agile to Lean Six Sigma, today’s guest explains how learning the language of project management changes the way veterans and small businesses enter the civilian market, build credibility, and drive profitability.

On this Daily Windup, Craig Cohen returns to break down one of the biggest landmines in government contracting finance: the “up to” trap. That line on your term sheet might sound generous, but it’s designed to keep you jumping through hoops while banks nickel-and-dime you with endless hidden fees. Eric shares his airline analogy that makes the whole scam click instantly.<...

On today’s episode of The Daily Windup, we dive into the costly mistakes small businesses make when jumping into government contracting too soon. Our guest breaks down why rushing to bid without preparation backfires, the importance of aligning opportunities with your long-term strategy, and how proper market analysis and patience can make or break your success.

In today’s Daily Windup, I sit back down with Craig Cohen, VP of Business Development at Encore Funding, to uncover the hidden ways banks quietly deny small businesses—even when you’re holding multi-million-dollar government contracts. From rejecting companies for being “too liquid” to charging an “unused line” fee when you don’t even borrow, Craig exposes how traditional financ...

On today’s episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Hunter, former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, to unpack the realities of how the government buys—and where opportunities exist for contractors. With nearly two decades on Capitol Hill, years in the think tank space, and direct leadership in rapid acquisition at the Department of ...

On today’s Daily Windup, I’m addressing one of the most overlooked deal-killers in government contracting: poor follow-up and lack of preparation. My guest, with 17 years in supplier diversity and small business programs, shares behind-the-scenes insights from grueling conference days to procurement readiness training at DIA. Together, we highlight how simple actions—like sending a follow-up within ...

On today’s Daily Windup, I dive into how certifications can be the catalyst for massive growth in government contracting. From real-world success stories like Sarah scaling her 8A business to $30M, Marcus building his SDVOSB to $25M, and Lisa cracking $40M through combined certifications, this episode reveals why credentials aren’t just paper—they’re profit multipliers. I also unpack why certificati...

On today’s Daily Windup, I’m revealing what it truly takes for small businesses to break into the supply chain of a major defense contractor like BAE Systems. With 17 years of insider experience, my guest explains why market research, industry days, and knowing the forecast are non-negotiable when 99% of contracts tie back to the DoD. We cut through the myths around teaming agreements and subcontrac...

On today’s Daily Windup, I dive into the Community Care Network (CCN) and how it transformed the way the VA delivers care to veterans nationwide. My guest Lori Smith shares her journey from stepping in to support Region 4—spanning 14 Western states—to managing a staggering $128 billion healthcare contract portfolio that covers everything from IVF and dental to home health services. Today, through he...

On today’s episode, I sit down with Rachael Lee—my pick for the “Queen of FEMA”—to pull back the curtain on how small businesses can truly break into FEMA contracting. From her 8 years in the Army and roles with KBR to helping clients land multi-billion-dollar contracts, Rachael brings unmatched clarity on what it really takes to succeed. We cover why readiness trumps rushing to a disaster site, the...

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 bonding, teams, and supplier ...

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 thought he was crazy to get into ...