If you're a small business tired of losing to the same primes, submitting proposals into a black hole, or waiting for 8(a) magic that never arrives—this episode is your wake-up call. Eric sits down with four real former federal contracting officers who awarded contracts for AI weapon systems, billion-dollar construction, and tech transformation programs—and they openly share what agencies really look for, why small businesses get ignored, and the strategies that actually work when government spending spikes again.
From how they're stalking your LinkedIn before reading your email, to why capability beats certification, to the power of relationships, partnerships, and diversifying into state/local/commercial pipelines—this conversation unlocks the playbook that will separate the 3% of winners from the 97% about to get shut out.
Key Takeaways
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Certifications ≠ contracts—relationships, capability & visibility win.
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Know your customer deeply: agency needs, expiring contracts & program managers.
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Diversify now—state/local/commercial work keeps you alive when federal slows.
Learn more: https://federalhelpcenter.com/ https://govcongiants.org/
Join the bootcamp: https://govcongiants.org/bootcamp
Watch the full Youtube episode here: https://youtu.be/KIeyIRLL2sI
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