Amtower Off-Center

This week on Amtower Off Center, Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the GovCon market as reflected by the WashTech 2025 Top 100 contractors.Topics discussed include:First year-over-year decline in prime contracts since 2016 sequestrationA recap of CGI's Stephanie Mango's interview with Nick on the state of GovConHow SERCO has used strategic acquisitions to move upThe growing gap between DOD and civilian contractingCandid comments of where the market may be headingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shauna Weatherly, former govie and now founder and president of FebSubK,joins host MarkAmtower for an in-depth discussion on the current state of the SmartPay (government charge card) program.Topics include:The charge card program background from inception in the late 1980sHow it works and why it is so successful at what it doesWhat is happening now with the program, including consolidated buying at GSAThe "pilot" program RFI that went out the Thursday evening before Good Friday with responses due in seven daysA candid discussion of why the pilot the pilot may be happening and why it is totally unnecessarySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology for a wide-ranging, candid discussion of the newadministration's executive orders impacting the GovCon industry.Topics include: The order from GSA to investigate the"consulting" contracts of the top 10 OASIS contractors Tthe temporary suspension of the government charge card program The downsizing of federal agencies across the board and the impact on government programs The impact of the Executive Order on DEI initiatives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology for a wide-ranging, candid discussion of the new administration's executive orders impacting the GovCon industry. Topics include: The order from GSA to investigate the"consulting" contracts of the top 10 OASIS contractors Tthe temporary suspension of the government charge card program The downsizing of federal agencies across the board and the impact on government programs The impact of the Executive Order on DEI initiatives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovNavigators co-founder Robert Shea for a very lively discussion on the upcoming administration. Topics include: Managing the transition Major policy shifts What are some of the priorities for DOD DOGE and the impending efficiencies OPM and Schedule F Lots of great policy-nerd minutae Potential impact of the set-aside program Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovNavigators co-founder Robert Shea for a very lively discussion on the upcoming administration.Topics include: Managing the transition Major policy shifts What are some of the priorities for DOD DOGE and the impending efficiencies OPM and Schedule F Lots of great policy-nerd minutae Potential impact of the set-aside program Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Aubrey Gainfort, by day a federal contracting officer, and after work host of the Breaking the Standard podcast, which is nearing its 5th anniversary. Topics discussed include: Five things contractors need to do Five things contractors should NOT do How and why to start your own podcast Ways to expand your knowledge of the federal market Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Aubrey Gainfort, by day a federal contracting officer, and after work host of the Breaking the Standard podcast, which is nearing its 5th anniversary.Topics discussed include: Five things contractors need to do Five things contractors should NOT do How and why to start your own podcast Ways to expand your knowledge of the federal market Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Lindholm, founder and managing principal at FedSavvy Strategies for a discussion on the myriad of sources available to government contractors for researching before bidding. Topics include: What open source intel is available to contractors How to parse this data for useful items Why should you be looking at protest decisions and what can you learn from them The best use and format of black hat reviews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Lindholm, founder and managing principal at FedSavvy Strategies for a discussion on the myriad of sources available to government contractors for researching before bidding.Topics include: What open source intel is available to contractors How to parse this data for useful items Why should you be looking at protest decisions and what can you learn from them The best use and format of black hat reviews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ross Wilkers, senior reporter for Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a follow-up interview, this time addressing the Washington Technology Fast 50 contractors. The list includes fifty companies that submitted financial data to WashTech to verify their growth over the past 5 years. Topics include: Types of firms on the list, including IT services, management consulting/advisory services, engineering, intelligent automation and areas of specialized expertise. Companies discussed include ATI Government Solution, BryceTech, Amivero and B-Skies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ross Wilkers, senior reporter for Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a follow-up interview, this time addressing the Washington Technology Fast 50 contractors. The list includes fifty companies that submitted financial data to WashTech to verify their growth over the past 5 years.Topics include: Types of firms on the list, including IT services, management consulting/advisory services, engineering, intelligent automation and areas of specialized expertise. Companies discussed include ATI Government Solution, BryceTech, Amivero and B-Skies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Parente of Story Tech Consulting joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a wide ranging discussion on B2G content. Topics discussed include: The value of a content calendar Developing your own/your company POV Listening when customers and prospects talk as they are often telling you what they want to hear back from you Where to share your content Some caveats about using AI to generate content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Parente of Story Tech Consulting joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a wide ranging discussion on B2G content.Topics discussed include: The value of a content calendar Developing your own/your company POV Listening when customers and prospects talk as they are often telling you what they want to hear back from you Where to share your content Some caveats about using AI to generate content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, Ross Wilkers, senior reporter with Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion regarding current events in the government market. Topics discussed include: Market trends M&A activity across the market VC activity becoming even more strategic Trends in the Top 100 contractors The upcoming Fast 50 contractors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Amtower Off Center, Ross Wilkers, senior reporter with Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion regarding current events in the government market.Topics discussed include: Market trends M&A activity across the market VC activity becoming even more strategic Trends in the Top 100 contractors The upcoming Fast 50 contractors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author, consultant and speaker Andy Fry joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a discussion of two of Fry's books: The Consultant's Code and The Trust Paradigm. Topics discussed include: The 4 pillars of consulting (intelligence, effort, likeability and intent) with a brief dive into each pillar. Why trust is key, including Why trust is important (more reasons than you might think) The components of trust The directions of trust This is a wide ranging discussion that is important to anyone in business, not just consultants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author, consultant and speaker Andy Fry joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a discussion of two of Fry's books: The Consultant's Code and The Trust Paradigm.Topics discussed include: The 4 pillars of consulting (intelligence, effort, likeability and intent) with a brief dive into each pillar. Why trust is key, including Why trust is important (more reasons than you might think) The components of trust The directions of trust This is a wide ranging discussion that is important to anyone in business, not just consultants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners, joins host Mark Amtower to discuss current issues in contracting including upcoming changes in regulations.Topics include: The recurring issue of contractors failing to deliver on what was promised in their contracts New OMB guidance is coming on the use of AI by KOs during the acquisition process New environmental regulations for contractors are coming soon The potential scenarios for another CR and potential shutdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners, joins host Mark Amtower to discuss current issues in contracting including upcoming changes in regulations. Topics include: The recurring issue of contractors failing to deliver on what was promised in their contracts New OMB guidance is coming on the use of AI by KOs during the acquisition process New environmental regulations for contractors are coming soon The potential scenarios for another CR and potential shutdown

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Peter Jacobs of the Merritt Group for a discussion on the evolution and current state of podcasting, especially as it pertains to GovCon. Topics include: The advent of podcasts with other Web 2.0 tools in the late 1990s, early 2000s Types of GovCon podcasts Hurdles to starting a podcast Merritt's Lay of the Brand podcast

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Peter Jacobs of the Merritt Group for a discussion on the evolution and current state of podcasting, especially as it pertains to GovCon.Topics include: The advent of podcasts with other Web 2.0 tools in the late 1990s, early 2000s Types of GovCon podcasts Hurdles to starting a podcast Merritt's Lay of the Brand podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing, who returns for a lively discussion on branding in GovCon. Topics discussed include: Do small contractors understand the power of branding and how to implement it Key elements of a brand plan Tag lines and logos How does a company determine the need for a "rebrand"

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing, who returns for a lively discussion on branding in GovCon.Topics discussed include: Do small contractors understand the power of branding and how to implement it Key elements of a brand plan Tag lines and logos How does a company determine the need for a "rebrand" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing.Topics discussed include: End of FY marketing Things NOT to do at end of FY Content and when to gate your content End of FY events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing. Topics discussed include: End of FY marketing Things NOT to do at end of FY Content and when to gate your content End of FY events

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Elizabeth Harr, managing partner of Hinge Marketing, for a wide-ranging conversation focused on Hinge's latest study, the 2024 High Growth Study. The study is conducted annually and is a detailed survey of high growth professional services firms. Topics discussed include: What is high impact marketing and the shift in recent years of the major components The content priorities of high growth firms: generating content, differentiation and social media marketing Marketing spend declining slightly, but high growth firms remain steady Outsourcing key areas that all companies don't have in-house, including website design, graphics, SEO and video production

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Elizabeth Harr, managing partner of Hinge Marketing, for a wide-ranging conversation focused on Hinge's latest study, the 2024 High Growth Study. The study is conducted annually and is a detailed survey of high growth professional services firms.Topics discussed include: What is high impact marketing and the shift in recent years of the major components The content priorities of high growth firms: generating content, differentiation and social media marketing Marketing spend declining slightly, but high growth firms remain steady Outsourcing key areas that all companies don't have in-house, including website design, graphics, SEO and video production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners and a regular on Federal News Network. The wide-ranging conversation covers: Q4 do's and don'ts Issues around the GSA Schedule program, including why many do not require a Schedule The delay in Alliant 3 and issues surrounding the awarding of IDIQs Why contractors need to be agile now more than ever

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners and a regular on Federal News Network.The wide-ranging conversation covers: Q4 do's and don'ts Issues around the GSA Schedule program, including why many do not require a Schedule The delay in Alliant 3 and issues surrounding the awarding of IDIQs Why contractors need to be agile now more than ever Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Stauffer, CEO of Paperless Innovations at Actus, for a wide-ranging discussion on issues regarding the government purchase card- SmartPay. Topics include: The possible increase in both micro-purchase and simplified acquisition threshold Issues confronting the agency comptroller regarding audit-ready data Oversight and audit issues from a cost and burden perspective

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Stauffer, CEO of Paperless Innovations at Actus, for a wide-ranging discussion on issues regarding the government purchase card- SmartPay.Topics include: The possible increase in both micro-purchase and simplified acquisition threshold Issues confronting the agency comptroller regarding audit-ready data Oversight and audit issues from a cost and burden perspective Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, Dr Bob Frey, author author of Successful Proposal Strategies On-the Go and principal of Successful Proposal Strategies LLC, joins host Mark Amtower for a discussion on winning proposals. Topics discussed include:. The six functional areas needed for winning proposals What do evaluators across the spectrum (DOD, military,IC, civilian) care about when reviewing proposals Differences in federal vs commercial and international proposals Key elements of and the importance of the executive summary

This week on Amtower Off Center, Dr Bob Frey, author author of Successful Proposal Strategies On-the Go and principal of Successful Proposal Strategies LLC, joins host Mark Amtower for a discussion on winning proposals.Topics discussed include:. The six functional areas needed for winning proposals What do evaluators across the spectrum (DOD, military,IC, civilian) care about when reviewing proposals Differences in federal vs commercial and international proposals Key elements of and the importance of the executive summary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by capture guru Jennifer Namvar, CEO of The Peerless Group. Namvar developed a multi-point "cheat sheet" on the capture process, which we discuss on the show.  Topics include: The fundamentals of opportuities Acquisition timing and capture process Corporate capabilities to win Customer intelligence 

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by capture guru Jennifer Namvar, CEO of The Peerless Group. Namvar developed a multi-point "cheat sheet" on the capture process, which we discuss on the show. Topics include: The fundamentals of opportuities Acquisition timing and capture process Corporate capabilities to win Customer intelligence  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, GovCon expert Katie Helwig of MildRed joins host Mark Amtower to discuss the value of GovCon associations. Topics include: Creating visibility in GovCon The GovCon association landscape Criteria for selecting the association which will be best for you Getting involved with your association

This week on Amtower Off Center, GovCon expert Katie Helwig of MildRed joins host Mark Amtower to discuss the value of GovCon associations. Topics include: Creating visibility in GovCon The GovCon association landscape Criteria for selecting the association which will be best for you Getting involved with your association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Fergal McGovern, CEO of Visible Thread.Visible Thread(VT) provides support tools and processes for the contractor side of the proposal community, especially in the evolving area of generative AI.Topics include: Fergal's background and what VT offers to the contractor community An overview of generative AI's impact on the GovCon ecosystem Why hallucinations occur and some potential work-arounds Two questions to ask when applying generative AI Prompt engineering & retrieval augmented generation and how to get better results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Fergal McGovern, CEO of Visible Thread. Visible Thread(VT) provides support tools and processes for the contractor side of the proposal community, especially in the evolving area of generative AI. Topics include: Fergal's background and what VT offers to the contractor community An overview of generative AI's impact on the GovCon ecosystem Why hallucinations occur and some potential work-arounds Two questions to ask when applying generative AI Prompt engineering & retrieval augmented generation and how to get better results

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower starts year 18 at Federal News Network with guest Kevine Jans, president of Skyway Acquisition and host of the Contracting Officer's Podcast.Topics include: Kevin's background as a DOD contracting officer prior to Skyway Starting his podcast 10 years ago Proposal "do's and dont's" The Aristotelian method of RFPS (ethos, pathos and logos) Why Kevin prefers LinkedIn to conferences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower starts year 18 at Federal News Network with guest Kevine Jans, president of Skyway Acquisition and host of the Contracting Officer's Podcast. Topics include: Kevin's background as a DOD contracting officer prior to Skyway Starting his podcast 10 years ago Proposal "do's and dont's" The Aristotelian method of RFPS (ethos, pathos and logos) Why Kevin prefers LinkedIn to conferences