Govcon Giants

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric sits down with longtime student-turned-power player, Randy Ward, to unpack the real-life wins, losses, crises, and comebacks behind her remarkable GovCon journey—including how she landed $17M in contracts during COVID, survived a rogue subcontractor who tried to sabotage her, and how relationships inside federal age...

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric challenges listeners to stop waiting for the shutdown to end and start preparing now—because when the government reopens, only the ready will win. He breaks down why agencies like DoD, CIA, FBI, and DHS are still fully funded and still awarding contracts, and shares real examples of entrepreneurs who are writing prop...

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric reveals why so many small businesses struggle in GovCon—not because opportunities are scarce, but because most aren't procurement-ready when it counts. He highlights how high-level relationships with major primes like SAIC, Encore Funding, Collins Aerospace, and federal agencies open doors to subcontracting opportun...

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric reconnects with Randy Ward, a longtime student-turned-partner who went from asking questions in 2017 to closing $22 million in PPE contracts during the 2020 shutdown. Together, they share the highs and lows of that experience — the excitement of massive wins, the painful lessons of unfilled orders, and the resilience th...

In this episode Eric sits down with Chris Griesedieck Jr. (GovCon counsel, Venable LLP) to unpack today's FAR Part 19 overhaul: the Rule of Two survives but is discretionary at the task-order level, size re-representation at the task-order level is removed, and 8(a) changes aim to boost post-graduation success. They also break down the CMMC rollout—starting November 10, DoD solicitations will begin...

In this powerful wrap-up episode, Eric Coffie holds nothing back. He reminds listeners that opportunity doesn't just knock—it shows up at your event and waits for you to walk through the door. From the Department of Defense's Acting Deputy Chief Digital AI Officer to Central Command and the National Science Foundation's Cyber Infrastructure Director, Eric revea...

In this episode, Eric Coffie breaks down the real secret to getting access, opportunities, and contracts in the federal space — showing up. He shares exactly how he built relationships with $40M, $75M, and even $1.6B players simply by being intentional, proactive, and unafraid to ask. From pre-planning seven to eight networking lunches before even moving to D.C....

In this episode, Eric Coffie lays out the tough truth about why so many small businesses stay stuck after getting certified. He calls out the excuses holding entrepreneurs back and shows what separates the winners from the watchers. From GSA schedules and sources sought to consulting partnerships and funded agency strategies, Eric gives a blueprint for creating your own success — even during uncer...

In this episode, Eric Coffie calls out the biggest myth in GovCon—that there aren't enough opportunities. He breaks down why lawyers, accountants, and even other small business owners already have the inside track on contracts, acquisitions, and partnerships—you're just not asking. From unused GSA schedules to overflow projects from busy contractors, Eric exposes how many deals are hiding in plain...

In today's episode, Eric sits down with Mark Amtower, one of the most respected voices in the government contracting (GovCon) space. With over 18 years hosting on Federal News Radio and 17 years writing for Washington Technology, Mark shares timeless insights from his decades-long career helping companies master government marketing, branding, and networking. From...

In this episode, Eric Coffie delivers a wake-up call to small business owners chasing government contracts but skipping the rooms that create them. He lays out proof: multimillion-dollar contractors, agency insiders, and program directors from NASA, DOD, SBA, and the Department of State have all shown up to help—yet most small businesses never do. Eric breaks down how relationships with lawyers, a...

In this episode, Eric Coffie delivers a hard truth: government contracting has always been a relationship business—and the only reason most small businesses are missing out is because they're not showing up. Eric breaks down how power players build connections with decision-makers, why networking is non-negotiable, and how intentional events—not random parties—...

In this episode, Eric Coffie calls out the small business owners sitting on the sidelines while major primes like SAIC and KPMG openly ask for help. He shares real examples of entrepreneurs winning contracts by acting fast—like selling to prisons, joining state vendor pools, and teaming with larger firms. The truth? Opportunities are everywhere, but most people talk themselves out of trying.

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric breaks down how small business owners can stay proactive and profitable—even during a government shutdown. He exposes the dangerous mindset of self-doubt that keeps entrepreneurs from acting and shows why focusing on funded agencies, tracking real contract data, and calling award winners are game-changing moves. Eric shares real examples from his own ex...

Today's guest, Robert Miller, brings a rare 360° GovCon perspective—15 years in government (Peace Corps → Capitol Hill → White House → CIA) followed by eight years in defense tech and AI sales. Rob led federal sales at Hawkeye 360 and CrowdAI (acquired in 2023) and now oversees $75M ARR across three divisions at a major defense contractor.

In this episode, we break down how startups can truly win in federal: navigating product-mark...

In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle one of the biggest economic and societal shifts of our lifetime — artificial intelligence. The guest draws bold comparisons between AI and past revolutionary inventions like the steam engine and electricity, calling it a massive game changer that will reshape productivity, the job market, and even global wealth distribu...

In today's episode, we dive deep into leadership, legacy, and lessons from one of the Air Force's top decision-makers. Reflecting on his tenure, he shared the three major accomplishments that shaped the force's trajectory — from advancing modernization through $100 billion in operational imperatives to restructuring training and investment systems for great power competition. Perhaps most importantl...

Today's discussion hits home for entrepreneurs and small business owners navigating this volatile economy. While large corporations like Microsoft or JPMorgan are setting market highs, small caps remain stuck in correction—mirroring the reality for Main Street. The biggest threat? Monetary policy, not fiscal policy. With interest rates still 125 basis points above equilibrium, small businesses—who r...

Today we dig into the hard truths of small-business innovation in defense: most startups won't sell end items—they'll be 1st– or 2nd-tier subs whose tech is embedded in a prime's system. We unpack why founders fear losing IP to primes (and why we need better mechanisms than today's SBIR handoffs), where OCONUS opportunities really exist (think F-35 supply-chain niches and vetted foreign subsidiaries...