Government Contractor’s Playbook

Are you a small business looking to land your first government contract but feeling overwhelmed by SAM.gov? This podcast breaks down the best strategies for newcomers to public-sector contracting, helping you choose the right starting point for your business.

We'll explore where each channel shines for first-time vendors:

• SAM.gov (Federal Channel): While it's the official hub for federal opportunities over $25,000, offering massi...

Are you a small business owner navigating the complex world of federal government contracting? Do terms like 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone leave you confused about where to start? You're not alone! The federal government offers powerful set-aside programs designed to help eligible small firms win contracts, but choosing the right one – and understanding the recent changes – is crucial.

In this episode, we'll cut through th...

Are your federal contract bids falling flat, or are you wondering why your business isn't showing up in critical government searches? The answer might lie in your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Often seen as mere administrative labels, NAICS codes are, in reality, powerful strategic tools that significantly shape your small business's federal contracting journey.

In this episode, we delve into w...

Attention GSA Schedule holders! GSA’s Solicitation Refresh 29, issued in late August 2025, is LIVE, and it brings significant, mandatory changes that will directly impact how small businesses manage their contracts, price offerings, and win federal work. This isn't just routine paperwork; it's a critical update from GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) to modernize and streamline the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) pro...

The federal government's flagship innovation funding program for small businesses is at a critical juncture. With its current authorization set to expire on September 30, 2025, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is the subject of a high-stakes debate in Congress that could reshape R&D contracting opportunities for years to come.

In this episode, we dive into the two starkly different visions fighting for t...

In the high-stakes world of government contracting, a single award can make headlines. But what happens when a $1.2 billion U.S. Army contract is awarded to a nearly invisible small business operating out of a suburban home? This is the story of Acquisition Logistics LLC, a little-known firm with no public website and a minimal track record, that stunned the industry by winning a deal to build and operate the nation’s largest migra...

Are you ready to compete at the new speed of defense? In 2025, the Department of Defense is tearing up the old playbook, pushing a suite of "fast-track" contracting pathways designed to acquire technology and software in months, not years. For small businesses, this is a game-changing opportunity—but it's also a high-stakes race.

In this episode, we unpack the DoD's push for speed and what it means for you. We'...

GSA's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program is undergoing its most significant transformation in years, signaling a new era for government contractors. With President Trump’s nomination of Edward “Ed” Forst as the next GSA Administrator, expect a clear pivot towards an efficiency-driven procurement agenda, emphasizing centralized buying, leaner staffing, and the elimination of perceived inefficiencies. Acting Administrator Mich...

In this episode, we delve into the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) significant pushback against "loser pays" rules in defense bid protests, a decision with profound implications for small contractors.

For years, Congress has considered various fee-shifting proposals, which would require an unsuccessful protester to reimburse government protest costs and potentially the contract awardee’s lost profits. These id...

Tune in to uncover the massive opportunities within the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) multi-billion-dollar IT modernization surge! The FAA is quietly becoming one of the hottest sources of government IT contracting, with its budget growing by billions between FY2023 and FY2025, specifically prioritizing IT and telecom modernization.

In this episode, we break down:

• The Scale of the Opportunity: The FAA's IT and t...

Are you a small business navigating the complex world of federal contracting? The map just changed! In this episode, we're diving into GSA’s latest 'Mega-Vehicle Shuffle,' a series of shifts impacting critical contract 'highways' like Polaris, OASIS+, SEWP VI, and SeaPort-NxG.

Polaris awards are experiencing delays, particularly the HUBZone pool, complicating plans for many. Meanwhile, OASIS+ is rapidly becoming ...

The Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is no longer a future concern—it's here and effective, fundamentally reshaping the landscape for small defense contractors. With the final rule published in October 2024 and mandatory CMMC language in all new DoD contracts (except COTS-only buys) starting October 1, 2025, compliance is now a critical reality.

But what does this mean for your sm...

Are you a small business in government contracting, tired of the federal rollercoaster? This podcast dives deep into the "Golden Age of SLED" (State, Local, and Education) contracting, revealing why it's become the most reliable growth channel in government procurement.

Discover how the SLED market, roughly three times the size of federal prime contracting by annual spend, offers a massive and highly diversified opport...

Unlock the secrets of federal contracting in Fiscal Year 2024! This episode dives deep into the significant shifts in the U.S. federal budget that created both massive opportunities and tough challenges for small businesses.

We'll reveal where the money is flowing, with funding increases in critical sectors like:

• Cybersecurity & IT Modernization: Discover why cyber and IT remain top priorities across agencies, driving dem...

The SBA has been busy rewriting the playbook for federal contractors, and these recent rule changes aren't just technical—they determine whether your small business can compete, win, and keep its contracts.

Tune in to understand the SBA’s 2025 Rule Shake-Up and how it impacts every new federal contractor. We'll break down the Top 10 crucial changes you need to act on now, including:

• Updated size standards and NAICS codes:...

Unlock the secrets to success in federal contracting by learning from the mistakes of others. In this episode, we delve into a comprehensive analysis of 100 federal contracting case studies from FY2019 to FY2025, sourced from GAO protests, agency terminations, and Inspector General reports. You'll discover the preventable pitfalls that cause small businesses to lose awards and have contracts terminated, even when they're ca...

Are you a small government contractor aiming for rapid growth in the federal market? In this podcast, we uncover the proven strategies that have transformed modest small businesses into multimillion-dollar prime players in just a few short years. It's not luck—it's a deliberate blend of strategy, key certifications, and smart positioning that any small business can learn from and apply to their own government contracting jo...

In FY2024, just 20 small-business federal contractors made waves, collectively capturing an astonishing $20 billion—more than 10% of all prime contract dollars awarded to small businesses. How did they do it?

Join us as we break down the proven strategies of these top performers, from hardware distributors like Atlantic Diving Supply and Noble Supply & Logistics to IT powerhouses such as FCN, Inc. and Minburn Technology Group.

In...

Small businesses achieved a record-breaking year in federal contracting in FY2024, securing an impressive $183.5 billion in prime contracts, which accounts for approximately 28.8% of all federal contract spending. This landmark achievement underscores the effectiveness of targeted set-asides and strategic positioning within high-demand service areas.

In this podcast, we delve into the top 10 Product Service Codes (PSCs) that channel...