Podcasts about sdvosb

How do you house thousands of homeless veterans and win government contracts to scale the mission?In this powerful episode of America's Heroes Group, U.S. Army Veterans Yvette Jones Swanson, Founder of Vet Mentors LLC, and Derrick Green, Government Contracts Expert and SBA/VA-certified business owner, break it all down.How to build ethical, effective housing programs for veteransWhy service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) certification mattersThe dangers of turning veteran housing into a hustleWhat procurement really means — and how to do it rightWhy collaboration between realtors, nonprofits, and contract experts is keySwanson, who has personally housed over 5,000 homeless veterans, and Green, an acquisitions and procurement expert, reveal how their partnership is shaping the future of veteran housing with accountability, integrity, and long-term vision.

I had an eye-opening conversation with one of my students last night, and it reminded me of a major misconception in government contracting—many of you think you must have certifications to win contracts. That's just not true! People are out here scaring you into thinking that without an 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB certification, you don't stand a chance. But let me tell you, there are plenty of lucrative opportunities that don't require any certification at all. In this episode, I break down five specific ways you can sell directly to the U.S. government without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. From product sales on platforms like DLA DIBBS and Unison Marketplace to logistics, catering, and even cybersecurity, I'll show you how others are winning big by thinking outside the box. We also talk about a major wealth transfer happening right now—baby boomers selling off their government contracting businesses, and how you can use SBA-backed financing like SBIC and 7(a) loans to acquire these businesses and step into an already-profitable government contractor role. Plus, I share insights from real-life entrepreneurs who have scaled their businesses beyond certifications. If you're still stuck in the old mindset that certifications are the only way to succeed, this episode will change the game for you. Stop making excuses, start thinking bigger, and let's get to work.

In today's episode, I highlight a conversation with Carlton Harris, the Chief Technology Officer of End-End Enterprise Solutions. Harris discusses how his company's strong cyber background in network security led them to specialize in advanced technologies and services. He also shares how they faced rejection while trying to grow their business and overcame it by getting their SDVOSB certification and forming partnerships with other small businesses to eliminate the "no". Harris further explains how the technical solution is not always what a company is looking for. Enterprises are more interested in knowing how it affects their mission and operations and how the solution will support them. Therefore, it is important to approach clients with an agile mindset and provide them with a solution that fits their budget. This episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs on growing a small business, overcoming rejection, and building partnerships, so listen now if you want to know more!

In today's episode, we discuss the changes in the law related to veteran-owned small businesses. The removal of the requirement of the business to demonstrate good character in order to receive SDVOSB service-disabled veteran owner certification was highlighted. Now, you could be a veteran on a small business and not even be in good character. The direct ownership qualification requires veterans to own the entity directly and not through a holding company or other entity. The annual budget submission was also discussed, which lists the products that are coming down for approval. Listen now to know more!

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa on January 28th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Michael Mandarino is a seasoned financial advisor with over 20 years of experience in investment advisory and financial planning. As the owner of 123 Investing LLC and CEO of Soterios LLC, an SDVOSB, he specializes in faith-based investing, tax-advantaged strategies, retirement planning, and charitable giving solutions. Michael is dedicated to serving transitioning military officers, religious organizations, charities, and small businesses, offering expertise in planned giving and biblical-responsible investing. A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army Platoon Leader, Michael collaborates with CPAs and Enrolled Agents to ensure comprehensive financial oversight. His work has been featured in Proactive Advisor Magazine, and he educates others about investing through his YouTube channel. MIchaal Mandarino's Securities & Investment Advisory Services are offered through G.A. Repple & Company, a Registered Broker/Dealer & Investment Advisor Member FINRA & SIPC, 101 Normandy Road Casselberry, FL 32707 T. 407-339-9090. The Vision Behind Faith-Driven Finance: Turning Experience into Purposeful Wealth Strategies Michael's Journey: From West Point graduate and Army Platoon Leader to financial advisor in 2002. A Faith-Driven Mission: How a pivotal moment in 2012 led to specializing in biblical-responsible investing. Serving Veterans: Helping service members navigate military benefits and transitions. Expanding Expertise: Assisting high-net-worth clients with complex tax strategies and capital gains planning. Educational Impact: Growing a YouTube channel to 55,000+ subscribers with compliant financial content. Future Growth: Mentoring junior advisors and acquiring books of business to expand his practice. Timestamps: 00:47 Michael's Background and Career Journey 02:37 Finding a Niche in Financial Advising 05:35 Faith and Business: A Unique Approach 09:48 Short and Long Term Goals 13:11 The YouTube Endeavor 19:47 Challenges and Support Connect with Michael LinkedIn Facebook YouTube 123-Investing Email: mmandarino@123-investing.com Phone or text: (813) 710 - 4123 If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today. Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Michael Mandarino for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

In this episode, we talk about the difference between pre-solicitation and source sought. Source sought is the government's market research phase to determine if they should make the requirement a small business or one of the socioeconomic categories. At this stage, the government can determine if they should negotiate directly with small businesses or make it a veteran-owned set-aside program. Pre-solicitation, on the other hand, is a notice given about a month before the solicitation is released, giving contractors time to prepare for the opportunity. The majority of set-asides are now going into IDIQ contracts and are not seen on the open market as much. If you also want to know how to search for set-asides for SDVOSB, tune in now.

Exciting news for businesses specializing in IT services, project management, and modernization! The Indian Health Service (IHS) is conducting a Sources Sought for the OEHE Technical Services IDIQ contract, seeking innovative firms to provide critical support for their environmental health and engineering programs.Key Highlights:✅ Scope of Work: ColdFusion application maintenance, geospatial integration, financial system support, facilities project management, and modernization to scalable platforms.✅ Small Business Focus: IHS is particularly interested in responses from Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE), 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB businesses, aligning with the Buy Indian Act preference.✅ NAICS Code: 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services).✅ Goals: Ensure operational reliability, document business rules, modernize platforms, and enhance system security.At ProposalHelper and BidExecs, we're experts in helping businesses respond to federal opportunities like this. From crafting winning proposals to ensuring compliance with government requirements, we're here to support you every step of the way.

The Government market presents the best opportunity for small business growth.  Learn why in this podcast. 1. Why Government Contracts Are Your Path to Success Statistics reveal a 48% chance of hitting $1 million in annual sales Real-world success stories: From $150K to $33M and beyond The government market advantage: Reliable payments, preference programs, and more2. Debunking the Myths: Why Many Shy Away from Government Contracts Fear of the unfamiliar Reluctance to learn new systems How to overcome these mental barriers3. The Numbers Don't Lie: Government as the Ultimate Client $562 billion spent annually - world's largest customer Level playing field with open solicitations Prompt payments and preference programs for small businessesJoin us as we unlock the secrets to building wealth through government contracts and learn why this often-overlooked market could be your ticket to becoming a millionaire!For help writing proposals or with getting certified, visit winninggovernmentcontracts.com.

In this episode, we dive deep into writing two crucial sections of your government contract proposal – The Executive Summary and Technical Approach. 1. Executive SummaryKey components: Tips for addressing agency needs Highlighting key benefits 2. Technical Approach Detailed plan development Addressing RFP requirements Proposing innovative solutions Review and editing process When writing a government contract proposal, focus on these key elements: craft a brief, powerful executive summary; align your solution with agency needs; mirror RFP language in your technical approach; innovate to stand out; and meticulously review your work. These steps will significantly boost your proposal's effectiveness and competitiveness. Check out my new book on Amazon – just click the title: "Writing Proposals For Government Contracts: Strategies for Small and Medium Businesses" by Rick Porterfield

Writing government proposals can be intimidating, but with the a common sense, structured approach, you can do it! This episode breaks down the initial steps of proposal writing, offering practical strategies to overcome writer's block and start crafting a winning proposal. Break it down: Learn how to approach proposal writing in manageable steps Free writing technique: A method to overcome writer's block and generate ideas Key sections decoded: Master the Executive Summary, Technical Approach, and Past Performance From draft to polish: Tips for reviewing, editing, and perfecting your proposal Key Points:Create an outline based on the RFP structureUse free writing to get your ideas flowingCraft a compelling Executive SummaryDevelop a detailed Technical ApproachShowcase your track record in the Past Performance sectionReview and edit your proposal thoroughlyConduct a final compliance check Resources:For proposal writing assistance and certification help, visit winninggovernmentcontracts.comFor proposal templates and samples, visit proposalandcertificationsamples.comEmail info@federalpcs.com for more info

Writing government proposals is challenging, but it's essential for winning contracts. This podcast series demystifies the process. We'll cover strategies to help you tackle RFPs effectively and improve your proposal writing skills. Let's get started on your path to writing winning proposals.Crack the RFP code: Learn to dissect and understand government RFPsMaster the art of proposal writing: A step-by-step approach that takes eliminates guesswork Beyond the proposal: Strategies for building relationships, and market research that give you an edgeTurn proposal writing into a superpower!Resources: For proposal writing assistance and certification help, visit winninggovernmentcontracts.com For proposal templates and samples, visit proposalandcertificationsamples.com Email info@federalpcs.com for more info

Capture Management is a foundational business practice that is as close to a prerequisite to success as you can get. Key Points:Capture Management is crucial for winning government contracts, involving market research, strategic planning, and proposal developmentThe seven key components of Capture Management are: Market Research, Capture Planning, Positioning and Strategy Development, Teaming and Partnerships, Proposal Development, Review and Refinement, and Submission and Follow-UpEffective Capture Management can significantly increase your win rates and accelerate business growth, profits, and success.Resources:For more information, proposal  writing assistance, and certification assistance visit winninggovernmentcontracts.comProposal templates and samples visit proposalandcertificationsamples.com

Why bother doing business with the Government?  It's a foundational question.  Surely the red tape isn't worth it.  Or is it?  Find out in this episode. Key Points:Statistics show that targeting the government market dramatically increases a business's chances of hitting $1 million in annual salesGovernment contracts offer stability, predictable revenue, and opportunities for growth The government is the largest customer in the world, spending over $600 billion per year on contractsPrograms for small, minority, and woman owned businesses level the playing field.Learn seven steps to get started in government contracting, including market research, registration, and developing a capability statementResources:• For help writing proposals, getting certifications, and more, visit winninggovernmentcontracts.com• Are you a do it yourselfer?  We've got you covered.  Visit proposalandcertificationsamples.com

Free Government Contract Training at: https://www.govclose.com In this episode of the DoD Contract Academy podcast, host Richard C. Howard, a former government procurement officer, discusses the timelines and strategies for securing government contracts. Richard provides practical advice on how to navigate the process, emphasizing ways to expedite winning government contracts. This episode is particularly useful for businesses aiming to enhance their government contracting efforts. Time-Stamped Focus Areas: [00:42] Explanation of OTA (Other Transaction Authority) and how it can facilitate faster government contracting. [03:27] Overview of the expected timelines for different government contracts, ranging from quick 30-day turnarounds to longer 18-month processes. [08:15] Strategies for leveraging the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program to secure government investment for innovative projects. [10:33] Best practices for selling to existing government customers to secure repeat business. [15:24] Introduction to fallout funds and strategies for accessing these end-of-fiscal-year resources. [17:00] Discussion on how to use existing customer relationships to gain referrals within government agencies. Call to Action: Register for our free training session at GovClose.com to learn more about the government contracting process. This session is designed to provide you with practical steps and guidance to enhance your approach to securing government contracts.

The federal government says it wants to level the playing field so small businesses have a shot at federal dollars. Will SBA socio-economic contracting program really help your small business? Which is best: HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB? Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell starts with a reminder that tags do not determine your success in government contracting.What are the SBA's Contracting assistance programs and why do they exist?When Should You Pursue the HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSBAre the Small Business Programs a Golden Ticket? Myth vs Fact Using SAM.gov for Set-Aside profilesThe real data is shown in USA Spending and separates the hype from the reality✅ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON LINKEDIN➣Guide to SBA HUBZone, Woman-Owned, Veteran-owned and 8(a) certified Small Business Programs–––––––––––––––––––––––––✅ HOST | Neil McDonnell, president GovCon Chamber of CommerceSmall business owners​ trust Neil to​ show them HOW to earn federal government contracts and subcontracts.​A passionate 'evangelist' for business development​ in the federal marketplace, Neil has helped 1000s of small business contractors collectively win over $3B (federal contract value)Neil's Daily LinkedIn Live and YouTube training have been viewed over 1 Million x.​ ​#experiencemattersAs B2G technology business owner for 25+ years, Neil successfully won contracts worth hundreds of millions for the Department of Defense and civilian agencies, including ...US Army • US Navy • US Air Force • HHS • VA • White HouseDepartments of Education, Transportation, Interior and Energyplus numerous large prime contractors

This week's episode covers highlights of the NDAA for FY24, a Class Deviation relating to SDVOSB eligibility, an ASBCA decision involving pandemic-related claims, and DOD guidance detailing what it means for a cloud service provider to FedRAMP Moderate baseline “equivalent,” and is hosted by Peter Eyre and Yuan Zhou. Crowell & Moring's "Fastest 5 Minutes" is a biweekly podcast that provides a brief summary of significant government contracts legal and regulatory developments that no government contracts lawyer or executive should be without.

Welcome to the DoD Contract Academy Podcast! In this exclusive episode, we dive into the world of government contracts with the exceptional Michael LeJeune, a best-selling author, renowned speaker, and esteemed government contract expert.

Welcome back to The Criminal Justice Evolution Podcast. Thank you for listening to the show. If you are a first time listener - Welcome. Long time listener - Welcome back. Thank you all for the support.  A big thank you to YOU. For what you do everyday as a first responder and criminal justice professional. Remember you are honored, cherished and loved. Please be safe. I struggled. I was in a dark place for a long time. I was in pain, and I masked it with alcohol.  I was contemplating hurting myself.  I finally decided to reach out and ask for help, and I am grateful I did. FHE Health and The Shatterproof Program saved my life. If you are struggling, you don't have to stay there. We can and will help you. Reach out today at 303.960.9819. https://fherehab.com/ https://www.cjevolution.com/shatterproof/ Every time I have a Special Warfare Operator on I am always amazed by their humility, dedication and devotion to this great country. I had the honor of having Andrew "Sully" Sullivan on the show recently. Andrew is the CEO of Community First Project and BlueForce Strategies. They provide law enforcement organizations with no-cost training in areas such as de-escalation, stress mitigation and management, target identification and other critical skills, Community First Project can give police officers the confidence and critical skills to continue safeguarding our communities. Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Andrew Sullivan medically retired from the US military in 2020 after nearly two decades of service in the Special Operations community, including six years at SEAL Team Two and eleven years at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.  His many combat commendations include the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals with combat valor, the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, six Joint Service Commendation Medals with combat valor, two navy and Marine Commendation medals with valor, three Presidential Unit Citations and numerous other joint and individual awards. Following his time in service, Andrew started BlueForce Strategic Action Group, a SDVOSB that provides tactical, security, and leadership consulting to the DOD, Federal, and Law Enforcement Agencies. Additionally, Mr. Sullivan has consulted with several organizations advocating for mental health treatment for Veterans and First Responders. He is a board member at One Summit, a 501c3 that provides resilience training for pediatric cancer patients.  Andrew has a MS in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia, and currently resides in Virginia Beach, VA, with his two daughters.  You can find Andrew here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sullivan-647826175/ https://c1p.org/about-us Check out more great episodes on The CJEvolution Podcast. www.cjevolution.com   Patrick

Guest: Marsha Wilson   Guest Bio: Marsha Wilson is the CEO and Co-founder of ScaleSec, a SDVOSB and security-first cloud consultancy advising clients who want to run regulated workloads in AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. Her career has afforded her great opportunities to support clients in the Department of Defense, Energy Sector, Healthcare, and more recently clients looking to optimize and secure their cloud environment. Marsha is married to her co-founder, Aaron, and they have three kids, two cats and one dog. She resides in San Diego, CA.    Guest Links: Website: scalesec.com     About Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders Download your free gift, The Salesology® Vault. The vault is packed full of free gifts from sales leaders, sales experts, marketing gurus and revenue generation experts.  Download your free gift, 81 Tools to Grow Your Sales & Your Business Faster, More Easily & More Profitably. Save hours of work tracking down the right prospecting and sales resources and/or digital tools that every business owner and salesperson needs. Watch the demo of the Salesology® Prospecting Method, A Simple, 3-Step Method That, On Average, Increases Qualified Appointments & Sales By 73%. If you are a business owner or sales manager with an underperforming sales team, let's talk. Click here to schedule a time. Please, subscribe to Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to https://podcast.gosalesology.com/ and connect on LinkedIn and follow us on Facebook and Twitter and checkout our website at  http://www.gosalesology.com

In today's training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows exactly how agencies award year end contracts. If you're procurement ready and have past performance, you should be ready to pursue these opportunities.✅ Today's Insights:How much spending is expected to happen in September 2023? 1,000,000 transactions / awards​ • 848,940 under $1M​Why pursue set aside or direct awards?Why large government contractors should pursue the small business dollars?Why small businesses want to connect with large primes?✅ See the training slides on YouTubeFederal 'End of Year' Spending: How Small Businesses Can Win Government Contracts This process applies to all small #business government contractors, HUBZone, SDVOSB, 8(a), or WOSB. Don't forget to build a relationship with your local APEX Accelerator counselor for support.–––––––––––––––––––––––––HOST | Neil McDonnell, president GovCon Chamber of CommerceSmall business owners​ trust Neil to​ show them HOW to earn federal government contracts and subcontracts.​A passionate 'evangelist' for business development​ in the federal marketplace, Neil has helped 1000s of small business contractors collectively win over $3B (federal contract value)Neil's Daily LinkedIn Live and YouTube training have been viewed over 1 Million x.​ ​

In today's training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows exactly which agencies award contracts to service-disabled veteran owned small businesses.Find the federal agencies who already know, like and trust SDVOSB small businesses and have a positive track record. Don't waste your time with agencies failing to achieve their 'goals'.✅ Today's Insights:

Government buyers and teaming partners need Subject Matter Experts and specialists to deliver specific good and services to help they achieve their federal agency mission. They aren't looking for a company who does 'a little of everything'. Federal buyers are looking for experts who have a clear and focused offer in a specific 'niche'In today's 25 minute high-value training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows small business owners how to: Accelerate your Business Development Efforts, Capture Management Success and Proposal Writing simply by hyperfocusing on a single core competency and area of expertise.This process is recommended for all small #business government contractors, including HUBZone, SDVOSB, 8(a) minority owned and women-owned businesses ie WOSB.✅ See the training slides on YouTubeHow 'Niching' Down Guarantees Your Government Contracting Success–––––––––––––––––––––––––HOST | Neil McDonnell, president GovCon Chamber of CommerceSmall business owners​ trust Neil to​ show them HOW to earn federal government contracts and subcontracts.​A passionate 'evangelist' for business development​ in the federal marketplace, Neil has helped 1000s of small business contractors collectively win over $3B (federal contract value)Neil's Daily LinkedIn Live and YouTube training have been viewed over 1 Million x.​ ​

LinkedIn is the only professional platform connecting federal agency buyers with 8(a) small businesses like yours.In today's 25 minute high-value training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows how to maximize the marketing value of LinkedIn in order to rise above your competition.✅ Today's Topics:Overview of social media platformsHow federal buyers find small businesses on LinkedIn10 most important LinkedIn Profile changes to make todayThis process is the same for all government contractors, women-owned, minority-owned, HUBZone, SDVOSB, 8(a), or WOSB.✅ See the training slides on YouTube: • How to Market Your 8(a) Small Business on LinkedIn to Maximize Success | Government Contracting | https://youtu.be/hdU5DsJjoAo –––––––––––––––––––––––––HOST | Neil McDonnell, president GovCon Chamber of CommerceSmall business owners​ trust Neil to​ show them HOW to earn federal government contracts and subcontracts.​A passionate 'evangelist' for business development​ in the federal marketplace, Neil has helped 1000s of small business contractors collectively win over $3B (federal contract value)Neil's Daily LinkedIn Live and YouTube training have been viewed over 1 Million x.​ ​

In this episode, Brock speaks with Rob Wynkoop. After his time in the Marines, Rob went on to start the first franchise of Gyrene Burger, a delivery focused specialty burger chain started by Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza. Rob shares what he learned from Tom and the economics of food delivery before Uber Eats existed. We also talked about government contracting, specifically service disabled veteran owned small businesses, and why that niche isn't as profitable and easy as most people think it is. Lastly, we talked about worm buckets, a worm composting ecommerce company Rob started during COVID. Episode Resources: Rob on Twitter Show Notes: Introduction to this episode. 0:00 When is enough? What is your goal? What are you looking for? 1:18 Looking for ownership of something. 4:54 Rob's background in the marines. 11:17 How he met Tom Monaghan and got into the burger business. 13:52 What was the most challenging part of running a fast food restaurant? 19:19 What's the concept of 100% delivery? 22:22 The three legs of the stool of success. 30:09 What is diversity contracting and how does it work? 36:20 What is government contracting and why is it hard? 40:02 The importance of getting the inside track in government contracting. 46:00 The three ways to be successful in government contracting. 48:57 How do you get into government contracting? 54:55 What's the purchase price of a government contracting small business? 1:00:53 Taking over a SDVOSB. 1:04:11 Worm farming is a success. 1:10:52 Marketing in ecommerce. 1:13:41 Optionality for partnerships. 1:19:21 -- The Scuttlebutt Podcast - The podcast for service members and veterans building a life outside the military. The Scuttlebutt Podcast features discussions on lifestyle, careers, business, and resources for service members. Show host, Brock Briggs, talks with a special guest from the community committed to helping military members build a successful life, inside and outside the service. Follow along:    • Episodes & transcripts: ⁠https://www.scuttlebuttpodcast.co/⁠ • Brock: ⁠https://www.brockbriggs.com/⁠

Mike Armstrong chats with Mark Voner, Founder & CEO of Veterans Development Corporation, about the Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business program. Mark shares how the program works, who is taking advantage of it, how to qualify, and how his company got involved with the program.For more information on the SDVOSB visit:https://business.defense.gov/Socioeconomic-Programs/SDVOSB/To learn more about Mark and Veterans Development Corporation visit:https://vetdevcorp.com/

THE COURSE IS NOW RELEASED!  Scott and Jim talk with Ken Carkhuff, Learning Director at DAU, for Small Business Programs, on CON 0090, Strategies for Contracting for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).     Ken gets excited about all things Small Business, and this is no exception - he talks about what the course is intending to address, the structure, who the target audience is, how students might transfer the learning to their workplace, and how students are assessed. I-Catalog for more info and to sign up:   CON 0090:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13095 Back to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basicsBack to Basics Program Management:  https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/program-management/; BtBs Contracting:  https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingSmall Business Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/sb/Pages/Default.aspxContracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting/Pages/Default.aspxIf you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

THE COURSE IS NOW RELEASED!  Scott and Jim talk with Ken Carkhuff, Learning Director at DAU, for Small Business Programs, on CON 0090, Strategies for Contracting for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).     Ken gets excited about all things Small Business, and this is no exception - he talks about what the course is intending to address, the structure, who the target audience is, how students might transfer the learning to their workplace, and how students are assessed. I-Catalog for more info and to sign up:   CON 0090:  https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=13095 Back to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basicsBack to Basics Program Management:  https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/program-management/; BtBs Contracting:  https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contractingSmall Business Community of Practice:  https://www.dau.edu/cop/sbContracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsAApple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

Ending Season 8 with a bang and a deep breath. We wrap up the season by visiting with Aaron Aylsworth, SDVOSB, to learn about options available to businesses, agencies, education, etc., looking to ensure safe, clean air within their facilities. Aylsworth shares his important insights on the problems and what air purification systems provide. Spoiler alert: it's more than just protection from COVID. With so much interest from public sector entities in air quality and air purification products, solutions, and service, this is a busy industry for you to watch closely.Aaron goes on to reveal other solutions important to many across the private and public sectors, to include utmost important options to address and improve school safety. Do not miss it.Aylsworth wraps up the conversation by relaying the story on how his original business was able to pivot in response to the global pandemic that forced so many businesses to quickly adapt. Truly, this is a story of overcoming challenges and hardship.Rick Jennings shares a Crazy Bids that will have all of us looking forward to what's to come in Season 9.All of that and more. A lot more!Our Guest: Mr. Aaron Aylsworth, SDVOSBPure Air Solutions of PAMOPP ZeroBio from guest: “I served in the Air Force from 2010-2016 as a hydraulics mechanic on F-16s and A-10s. After the Air Force, I joined my father and mother inlaw's company, Advanced Floor Care. We cleaned carpet, ceramic tile, and upholstery in the hospitality industry and serviced over 50 hotels across several states. At the start of 2020, we were opening our first two franchises, and two weeks before they opened, Covid 19 hit. Advanced Floor Care then pivoted the business to find an answer for hotels to reopen and service their guests. In our search, we discovered a way to offer all commercial facilities, air purification, energy monitoring, air quality monitoring, and security monitoring. From there, I opened MOPP Zero (a disabled veteran-owned business), and my inlaws opened Pure Air Solutions of PA (a woman and Native American-owned business), offering the answer to Covid 19 and facility maintenance.”Pure Air Solutions of PA: https://pureairofpa.com/H.R.7671 - Airborne Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7671?s=1&r=36

Entellect is a full life-cycle Business Development boutique company that works with companies to help scale their current processes and resources. Our cadre of experts helps companies scale up by augmenting their current resources and elevating their marketplace status to make them more competitive. In addition, we offer tailored solutions to expand a company's capabilities and efficiently support enduring success. Entellect has aided dozens of businesses in understanding the federal procurement landscape, navigating the competitive terrain, and winning contracts totaling more than $150B in value. We employ government contracting thought-leaders, individuals who share their knowledge with their clients and the GovCon community at large. These thought-leaders speak at AFCEA, regional PTACs, VETS, and other venues on GovCon topics, including partnering, debriefings and protests, capture management, pipeline management, and more. Entellect supports and mentors small businesses to understand and thrive in the GovCon market and provides executive coaching support to SDVOSB, 8(a), WOSB, and other minority-owned small business leaders. We provide various services, including Capture Management, Proposal Management, Strategic Pricing, Contracts Management, Financial Management, and Business Operations Optimization. These services are critical in allowing companies to win bids in the short term and become more efficient, cost-effective firms thereafter. As President of Entellect LLC, Ms. Tan Wilson provides full-lifecycle business support to primarily small businesses. She is an experienced and successful entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business development and program management across federal and commercial business sectors. As a supporter of the small business community, Ms. Wilson aids businesses in their strategic planning, business development, capture management, proposal management, partnership development, operations support, and leadership coaching. She brings extensive management experience in leading large project teams of diverse stakeholders, ranging from C-level executives. In addition, she was the 2021 Chair of AFCEA's Small Business Committee (SBC), Small Business Person of the Year for 2020, and has provided invaluable support to AFCEA small businesses. Ms. Wilson is also a Board Member on AFCEA International and Emeritus Chair of the SBC. Follow Tan Wilson on LinkedIn for all tips and gems about her experience in #GovCon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanwilsonpmp/ Learn more about Entellect and the work they do: entellectllc.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/support

Entellect is a full life-cycle Business Development boutique company that works with companies to help scale their current processes and resources. Our cadre of experts helps companies scale up by augmenting their current resources and elevating their marketplace status to make them more competitive. In addition, we offer tailored solutions to expand a company's capabilities and efficiently support enduring success. Entellect has aided dozens of businesses in understanding the federal procurement landscape, navigating the competitive terrain, and winning contracts totaling more than $150B in value. We employ government contracting thought-leaders, individuals who share their knowledge with their clients and the GovCon community at large. These thought-leaders speak at AFCEA, regional PTACs, VETS, and other venues on GovCon topics, including partnering, debriefings and protests, capture management, pipeline management, and more. Entellect supports and mentors small businesses to understand and thrive in the GovCon market and provides executive coaching support to SDVOSB, 8(a), WOSB, and other minority-owned small business leaders. We provide various services, including Capture Management, Proposal Management, Strategic Pricing, Contracts Management, Financial Management, and Business Operations Optimization. These services are critical in allowing companies to win bids in the short term and become more efficient, cost-effective firms thereafter. As President of Entellect LLC, Ms. Tan Wilson provides full-lifecycle business support to primarily small businesses. She is an experienced and successful entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business development and program management across federal and commercial business sectors. As a supporter of the small business community, Ms. Wilson aids businesses in their strategic planning, business development, capture management, proposal management, partnership development, operations support, and leadership coaching. She brings extensive management experience in leading large project teams of diverse stakeholders, ranging from C-level executives. In addition, she was the 2021 Chair of AFCEA's Small Business Committee (SBC), Small Business Person of the Year for 2020, and has provided invaluable support to AFCEA small businesses. Ms. Wilson is also a Board Member on AFCEA International and Emeritus Chair of the SBC. Follow Tan Wilson on LinkedIn for all tips and gems about her experience in #GovCon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanwilsonpmp/ Learn more about Entellect and the work they do: entellectllc.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/support

If you're a small business and you have any sort of status, 8a, SDVOSB, WOSB, SDB, ANC, ISBEE, or anything else that I might have missed, you need to listen up. One of the challenges that I see all the time for government contractors that have a status is, that they spend a lot of time and energy getting the status and then they don't use it properly. People will call me up and say, "I've got this status, but people won't return my calls and I'm not winning contracts." The first question I always ask is: Have you sat down with the OSDBU or the OSBP? The Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization or the Office of Small Business Programs is there to be your advocate. This episode will walk you through how to leverage these offices to open doors and ultimately win contracts. ----- Schedule a call with Michael: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession ----- Federal Access is helping Government Contractors win more contracts. It can help you too. Here's a special offer. Visit https://federal-access.com/gamechangers today and get started for just $29. *You are going to get access to a digital copy of the Government Sales Manual. * Over 100 strategy videos * More than 30 webinars * 300 documents and templates AND * SME support. So when you run into an issue, you can email me directly for help. Go check out this special offer today at https://federal-access.com/gamechangers

In its mission to care for veterans, the federal government developed the veterans set-aside certifications for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“VOSB”) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“SDVOSB”). Per the SBA there are approximately 2.5 million veteran owned businesses in the U.S., but only 15,299 are certified through the Veterans Administration (“VA”).In this episode of FedBiz'5 we are hosting Amanda Bach from FedBiz Access to discuss the benefits of the veteran certification program.The federal government has set-aside and sole source contracts available for veteran-owned small businesses that have been certified through the VA. In total the SBA goal for awarding small businesses federal contracts is 23.0% of all federal contract spending. For FY2021 this spending exceeded 27.0% or $154.2 Billion.In particular, set-aside federal contract spending for SDVOSB has a targeted goal of 3.0% and exceeded this in FY2021 to 4.4% or $25 Billion.  To qualify as a veteran-owned small business, a business must: Be a for-profit small business according to SBA's size standardsBe at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans that have been honorably dischargedHave one or more veterans manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisionsIn addition, to qualify for the SDVOSB designation eligible veterans must have a VA verified service-connected disabilityCurrently, eligible small businesses must receive their VOSB and SDVOSB certification through VA's Center for Verification and Evaluation (“CVE”), as required by the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) of 2021.Effective January 1, 2023, the VA's CVE responsibilities will be transferred to SBA. At that time veterans will no longer be able to self-certify in the SBA Dynamic Small Business System (“DSBS”).Federal agencies will still be mandated to set-aside a certain percentage of their business to certified VOSB and SDVOSB businesses. This will increase the need for SBA certified veteran-owned business, instead of relying on self-certification to be considered for candidacy for certain of those set-aside awards.FedBiz Access honors the sacrifice of our veterans and proudly offers support services to help veteran-owned businesses expedite registration for certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB business eligible for certain federal contracts set-aside specifically under the SDVOSB and VOSB designations.FedBiz Access has over 21 years of experience working with companies to help them win business by ensuring their set-aside certifications, research, engagement strategy, registrations, and GSA Multiple Award Schedules are current, complete, and compliant.  FedBiz Access helps companies build a clear path from registration to award.

We had a great conversation with Arturo of Precision General Contractors LLC. Arturo owns a SDVOSB small business and goes into some of the specifics on how that helps him, what he's providing to the US government and strategies he's taking to grow his business. This is a real great episode and you will surely learn a lot from what Arturo has experienced!

In this episode, host Tom Simmons is joined by HRP CEO Dan Titus and owner of Thunderbird Environmental, Darby Hittle, to discuss the new joint venture the two companies will embark on.A reminder that our Play Hard segment is also available in video form! Watch that on our YouTube Channel.Make sure you subscribe, give us a review & check us out on social media!YouTubeLinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebookWebsite

With us for this episode is Sam Le of SBA on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. We discuss the program in general, the hot topic of protests in particular, and the resources available to such businesses. Join us!Listen to All Things Small Business on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things-small-business/id1523710805

Today I want to introduce you to a company that I admire greatly, End to End Computing. The company amongst a host of other things specializes in Application Development (DevSecOps), Cybersecurity (continuous defense detection and responses, Cloud & IT (engineering, integration & modernization) as well as Emerging Tech. Leading the company at the C suite are two amazing founders, Esteve mede and Carlton Harris. Esteve is a former Federal Chief Information Security Officer with over 17 years of experience delivering results to both the private and public sector. Esteve is a dynamic Information Technology executive with a broad technology, cyber security, operations, and business background in diverse types of organizations. Carlton has over 12 years of experience in the information security and cybersecurity field supporting a vast number of government agencies including the US Navy, National Security Agency, US Army Intelligence command, and Department of State. Carlton's technology proficiencies are in SOC implementation, Incident Response, and Cloud Security architecture and design. There are two reasons why I am excited for you to hear this podcast: EEC has developed a centralized Security Operation Center (SOC) platform call Singularity to continuously monitor and improve the security of an organization while preventing, detecting, analyzing and responding to cybersecurity incidents. EEC has created a team within their organization that brings blockchain solutions to the government space. With the launch of my new NFT on the ERC-20 I have now familiarized myself with all things blockchain. I am also seeing the potential it has to solve most of the needs that federal agencies incur. For small businesses who may also have technical founders, listen to the portion of the interview where we discuss their change in strategy to start winning opportunities. For IT companies wanting to model EEC success we share initial struggles, how to show the government or client they need what you are selling, also the partnership opportunities in working with EEC. If you are serving a government client or federal agency throughout the interview We discuss how their solution is solving government client problems right now. Lastly we meet the founders here about their backgrounds and take a few questions from the audience. This was a live interview that we did last year at the American Cyber League Grand Opening @ Quantico Cyber Hub. Oh and by the way, they are 8a, SDVOSB, primes on Stars III, Navy Seaport, GSA Schedule 70 amongst other alphabets in the government soup mix. Warning: It does get really technical in the middle but stick with us throughout (non technical) we do get to the good stuff after the technical piece. Let's welcome our next Giant, End to End Computing.

Over 300 awards, $15 billion, and a 10 year performance period for Information Technology and related services. That's Polaris.  Approximately 100 awards will be made to small businesses, 80 awards to WOSB/EDWOSB, 80 to HUBZone and 80 to SDVOSB.  Service areas include - Cloud Services Cybersecurity Data Management Information and Communications Technologies IT Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Software Development System Design There are also several emerging technology service areas (very cool stuff), which include - Advanced and Quantum ComputingArtificial IntelligenceAutomation TechnologyDistributed Ledger TechnologyBlockchainEdge ComputingImmersive TechnologyThanks for listening.  for more insight and training to help you grow your business in the government market, sign up for Winning Government Contracts University by clicking here. For a low monthly subscription, you get training that others charge hundreds of dollars for.  To check out our services, visit www.winninggovernmentcontracts.com.  We do coaching,  proposal writing, business planning, and applications for various small business certifications. If you are a "do it yourselfer" (like me) visit  www.proposalandcertificationsamples.com.  Here you'll find samples, examples and templates to help you write winning proposals and prepare your certification applications. 

E. Darlene Bullock serves as the Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Ms. Bullock has over 27 years of experience in procurement, federal assistance, and acquisitions management. Before joining the OSDBU in January 2011, Ms. Bullock was a Division Director and Contracting Officer in the DHS, Office of Procurement Operations (OPO). OPO is one of the largest procurement divisions in DHS obligating about $4 - 4.5 billion a year. Her division was responsible for supporting the Office of the Secretary and other high-visibility offices at DHS Headquarters. Ms. Bullock oversaw and managed the award process of the first DHS-wide Program Management, Administrative, Clerical, and Technical Services (PACTS) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts which were set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). PACTS had an estimated value at $1.5 billion. The award of PACTS enabled DHS to meet and exceed the 3 percent SDVOSB goal for the first time in Fiscal Year 2010. Ms. Bullock has held leadership positions at several Federal and local agencies including the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters, U.S. Agency for International Development, U. S. Department of Commerce, District of Columbia Government, and the U.S. Army. Ms. Bullock began her acquisition career with the U.S. Army successfully completing the Department of Defense contract specialist intern program. She is a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and maintains her FAC-C Level III Certification in Contracting. She has completed various Federal Executive leadership courses throughout her career. She has an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park and a MBA in International Management from Southeastern University. Doing Business with DHS https://www.dhs.gov/topics/do-business-dhs Business Opportunities at DHS https://www.dhs.gov/business-opportunities For questions, email dhsosdbu@hq.dhs.gov --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/support

E. Darlene Bullock serves as the Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Ms. Bullock has over 27 years of experience in procurement, federal assistance, and acquisitions management. Before joining the OSDBU in January 2011, Ms. Bullock was a Division Director and Contracting Officer in the DHS, Office of Procurement Operations (OPO). OPO is one of the largest procurement divisions in DHS obligating about $4 - 4.5 billion a year. Her division was responsible for supporting the Office of the Secretary and other high-visibility offices at DHS Headquarters. Ms. Bullock oversaw and managed the award process of the first DHS-wide Program Management, Administrative, Clerical, and Technical Services (PACTS) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts which were set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). PACTS had an estimated value at $1.5 billion. The award of PACTS enabled DHS to meet and exceed the 3 percent SDVOSB goal for the first time in Fiscal Year 2010. Ms. Bullock has held leadership positions at several Federal and local agencies including the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters, U.S. Agency for International Development, U. S. Department of Commerce, District of Columbia Government, and the U.S. Army. Ms. Bullock began her acquisition career with the U.S. Army successfully completing the Department of Defense contract specialist intern program. She is a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and maintains her FAC-C Level III Certification in Contracting. She has completed various Federal Executive leadership courses throughout her career. She has an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park and a MBA in International Management from Southeastern University. Doing Business with DHS https://www.dhs.gov/topics/do-business-dhs Business Opportunities at DHS https://www.dhs.gov/business-opportunities For questions, email dhsosdbu@hq.dhs.gov --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/support

What if competition could be limited?  You'd have a greater chance of winning a contract!  Now, what if competition could be eliminated altogether? Well then you would have a 100% chance of winning.  This is possible and I've helped hundreds of comapnies get noncompetiive awards.In this podcast episode, learn about the following, and more -What sole source procurements areThe benefits of sole source procurements to youWho qualifies for sole source awardsWhat can be awarded sole source to youHow to get the government to award sole source contracts to youIn the podcast, I mention the need to educate customers about sole source awards, and sample brochures that are available for purchase on my website that you can use to show Government procurement personnel how to go about awarding sole source procurements to you.  Here's the links for those products. HUBZone: http://www.proposalandcertificationsamples.com/store/p80/HUBZone_Customer_Education_Brochure_-_Editable.html8(a): http://www.proposalandcertificationsamples.com/store/p82/8%28a%29_Customer_Education_Brochure_-_Editable.htmlNote: Brochures for WOSB, EDWOS}B and SDVOSB coming very soon!

Today's podcast episode was a Youtube live that I recorded a few years back that was widely popular. It was entitled how to use SDVOSB, 8a, EDWOSB, HUBZone all the small business certs.  This episode is very strategic in that I discuss a plan of attack for small businesses who want to make the most of their certifications.  We teach you how to make a plan. How to become prepared and what is a plan of attack that I use in order to scale, grow and create duplicatable results in the federal marketplace.  Just a warning. If you don't want actionable items that lead to results than you might want to skip today's episode of the podcast. 

In today's episode we want to feature a newly minted 8a company that is doing things the right way. Tomas Santos – Alejandro, CEO, Founder and Principal Engineer of Advent services of Florida began his roots in Mayaguez Puerto Rico. Advent Services empowers federal, state, local and private sector clients and partners to solve problems, manage risk and advance their corporate objectives. Certified 8(a), HUBZone and SDVOSB. After working as a software engineer he founded a company that was eventually purchased by a tribal firm where became the manager for a firm that he once owned. The silver lining of the story is that during that stint of working for a large native corporation he learned how to grow and scale a business. After leaving the company he set his sights on bigger targets which eventually led him to creating Advent Services. Funny thing is that when our resource specialist Erika set up this interview with Tomas he already met me in person 2 years prior. We knew each other from a NPS event in Orlando Florida that we both attended. The point I'm making is that if you keep showing up eventually the dots will start connecting. Be prepared to hear the journey of how a small startup IT firm turned an idea into a successful growing business. I want to welcome our next Giant, Tomas Santos Alejandro.

The Veteran Owned Business Roundtable has stood on guard to monitor compliance with that promise of (now 5%) state contracting with SDVOSB’s. Having enlarged our mission today, however, the Roundtable serves ALL veteran owned businesses and our advocacy has succeeded in persuading large, private corporations to pledge similar goals for inclusion of VOSB’s in existing supplier diversity initiatives. Dr. Rebecca Grant has written over 100 articles for Air Force Magazine and appears regularly on the Smithsonian Channel, Fox News, CNN,  Veterans Radio and other media outlets talking about airpower and national security. She has flown with the United States Air Force in the T-38, E-3 AWACS, B-52, F-16 Aggressors, F-15 in Exercise Cope North and in the B-2 Spirit bomber.

In today's episode. We meet with the man who spent the last four years fighting for the little guy. Robb Wong was sworn in as Associate Administrator Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, GCBD, in March of 2017, where he advocated for small businesses and represents them on behalf of the President of the United States. Historically the Associate Administrator Government Contracting Business Development overseas over $500 billion and total federal spending, helps ensure that small businesses can compete for federal opportunities. Robb strategy was straightforward. #1, make SBA certifications more useful. #2, Increase the supply of contracts reserved for the various small business programs and #3 improved GCBD customer service. Highlights of the team's three-year accomplishments include small business contract opportunities grew a total of 33%, HUBZone program revamped for the first time in 20 years, WOSB formal certification, improving teaming opportunities for all 8a, HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB's, subcontract and goals increase to create more opportunities. Rob's philosophy is cemented. And the belief that Small businesses are the job generators that will help make America great again. In today's episode, we talk about Rob's accomplishments at the SBA. What changes are needed to ensure small businesses continue to win at receiving government contracts? What he would like to see happen after his retirement to push the needle forward for small firms. He continues to give to small businesses. He regularly meets with and counsel small business farms weekly at a local breakfast spot down the street from his residence. Stay tuned for our next Govcon Giant.

Academy Securities Geopolitical Podcast  Geopolitical Flashpoints: The Macroeconomic Impact of the Geostrategic Landscape      Transition and the First 100 Days    Table of Contents:   Introduction: 00:00 – 00:52  Transition and Adversary Risk: 00:53 – 11:00  Elements of Power and Multilateral Relationships: 11:01 – 24:23  Technology, Manufacturing, and Competition with China: 24:24 – 33:51  First 100 Days: 33:52 – End     Listen on iTunes  Listen on Google Play  Listen on Academy’s Website    Key Points:  Transition team - those expected to be nominated for national security positions are already engaged and working hand in hand with the agencies and departments that will be under their management   China will remain a top focus for the incoming administration  Russia will likely take some advantage of the transitionary period, but other competitors who seek better relations with the Biden administration are unlikely to cause trouble   The Biden administration will focus on filling all the lower appointed positions that remained empty during the Trump administration   Yellen’s nomination is designed to achieve bipartisan support  China – while still expected to be treated as a strategic competitor, many of the economic advisors to the Biden administration do not have a history of being pro-tariff   A Biden administration will put pressure on China by leaning on our partners  China works in its best interest, and we are seeing it leverage not only its economic power, but now its information and military might  There will be elements of compromise in our competition with China  A threat to Taiwan may end the era of “strategic ambiguity” between the U.S. and China   The tech industry is particularly vulnerable to China’s ambitions   Vaccine distribution will impact our relationship with China   The Belt and Road initiative will play a role in China’s pandemic response   Major General (Ret.) James A. "Spider" Marks is Head of Geopolitical Strategy and Academy Securities' Senior Advisory Board Member. General Marks is the Founder and President of The Marks Collaborative, an advisory for corporate leader development, education and training and has led entrepreneurial efforts in global primary research and national security. He served over 30 years in the Army holding every command position from infantry platoon leader to commanding general and was the senior intelligence officer in the LA Riots, the Balkans, Korea, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He culminated his career as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf cluster, Bronze Star, and multiple combat, expeditionary and service ribbons. General Marks is a Master parachutist, authorized to wear Korean and Canadian Airborne wings, Air Assault qualified, and Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. General Marks is a national security contributor to CNN and member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.     Lieutenant General (Ret.) Robert S. Walsh is an Academy Securities' Advisory Board Member. Lieutenant General Walsh served in the Marine Corps for over 35 years, completing his career as the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development & Integration. In his last assignment, he was responsible for strategic planning and executing the reorganization of the Marine Corps to meet the new National Defense Strategy roles and missions. His responsibilities included integrating multiple warfighting functions and domains across all military services and the Department of Defense.    Peter Tchir is head of Macro Strategy at Academy Securities. He has 25 years in the industry focusing on  fixed income. He has traded and structured products ranging from complex transactions, junk bonds, liquid CDS indices, and ETFs. This background helps bring a unique frame of reference to his market strategies and analysis. It helps him focus on what is relevant for the here and now for investors and issuers. He has worked closely with a wide range of investors and portfolio managers since he established TF Market Advisors as an independent firm in 2010. He is regularly quoted in the media for his views on the macro outlook and fixed income strategies. His expertise provides insight into risk, identifying opportunities on a global macro basis, with an emphasis on fixed income. As the Head of Macro Strategy, Peter communicates these opportunities and approaches effectively to customers. Peter received a B.S. in mathematics and computer sciences from the University of Waterloo and an MBA with distinction from Vanderbilt University, where he also won the Matt Wiggington Leadership Award for outstanding performance in finance.    The following information has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as a solicitation, an offer to sell, or an offer to buy any security. Academy Securities Inc. accepts no liability for any errors or omissions arising as a result of transmission. Use of this communication by other than the intended recipients is prohibited.    Academy Securities is a preeminent disabled veteran owned investment bank with strength in public finance, fixed income and equity trading and underwriting. Leadership and staff have had intensive military training prior to entering and gaining in-depth financial services experience in global capital markets. We are mission driven with a high ethical code, a solid sense of accountability and strive for excellence in the pursuit of our clients' success. Intellectual assets, strong visionary leaders and a proud team commitment bring out the best in each other for the benefit of our clients. Academy is our nation's first and only post-9/11 disabled veteran owned investment bank and is certified as DVBE, SDVOSB and MBE. The firm has a strong top and middle tier client base served by a national platform with offices in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chapel Hill.   Please visit our website at www.academysecurities.com.  Third Party Research Disclosure:   The opinions are those of independent third-party research providers. Information contained herein is based on information provided by a third-party research provider and is not guaranteed by us, nor should the information be construed as an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein or provide investment advice. Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Academy Securities Inc, its employees, officers, or directors. Academy Securities, Inc. directors, officers and employees and their family members from time to time may own securities of the publicly traded companies discussed in any referenced independent Third-Party Research report. Academy Securities, Inc. may have a marketing partnership with several Third-Party Research providers to market their research services to institutional clients. Academy Securities, Inc. is an agency-only broker. The firm does not produce proprietary research, nor does it engage in any proprietary trading. The user is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the data received. Academy Securities, Inc. does not have any ownership of the subject company's securities. Academy Securities, Inc. has not managed or co-managed a public offering of securities for the subject company in the past 12 months. Academy Securities, Inc. does not or has not had any investment banking relationships with the subject company in the past 12 months nor expects to in the next 3 months. Academy Securities, Inc. does not have any market making activities in the subject company's securities. Academy Securities, Inc. does not maintain an analytical relationship and is not a member of any distributing organization. Academy Securities, Inc. makes no claim as to its accuracy or completeness. Academy Securities, Inc. is not responsible for the content or comments of these independent third-party research providers. 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Listen in as your host "Just Nate" talks with Founder, CEO and President of Innovative Solutions Inc, Robert Heriford. Robert talks about what they do at Innovative Solutions and tells his stories and makes you feel like you are there with him. Innovative Solutions Inc and The Smalls discuss their top three offerings at the company. 1. Date Warehouse Solution 2. License Compliance Workbench 3. Zero Trust Cyber Solution They are a SDVOSB company looking to do more big data analytics work with the DoD. Contact Robert and his team now to discuss any new projects you need help with. their website can be found here: https://inn-sols.com/ Roberts direct number is (719) 494-6182 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesmalls/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thesmalls/support

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!)Some government contract awards are available only to small businesses who have certain characteristics, such as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. (SDVOSB) Kevin and Paul dive into FAR 52.219-27, which applies to awards that are set aside only for SDVOSBs. These set-asides come with a unique feature that is hugely beneficial to SDVOSBs. Listen and learn how both government and SDVOSBs can streamline competitions and contract awards by leveraging the power of this clause. _________If you enjoy this podcast, we invite you to check out the Skyway Community at skywaymember.com. The Skyway Community is the essential resource for anyone at any stage of starting, growing and running a government contracting business. We speak GovCon.Whether you are brand new to GovCon, just got your first contract, or you are already a successful government contractor, the Skyway Community will guide you to the next level.With our extensive tools and training, exclusive member discounts on consulting support, and a supportive and active community of peers to help you along the way, the Skyway Community is the perfect resource for anyone who is serious about winning more contracts.Give us a call at 877-884-5280 or check it out at skywaymember.com. ___________Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help government and industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As former government Contracting Officers who have also walked in industry's shoes, Kevin and Paul share their perspectives in support of the podcast mission: Make government contracts better, one contract at a time. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

Bob Taylor is the CEO and owner of Alliant Enterprises and Alliant Healthcare in Grand Rapids. The medical device products and services company is a verified SDVOSB (Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned, Small Business). The SDVOSB program is intended to honor business-owning veterans who incurred or aggravated disabilities in the line of duty by providing their firms with sole-source and set-aside contracting opportunities. “I always try to find ways to give back,” Taylor says. He is writing a book and has formed a foundation to help veterans transition to post-service careers. The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 28,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

Welcome to the Veteran's PATH podcast. Veterans PATH is a nonprofit introducing veterans to the life changing and life saving practices of meditation and mindfulness. I'm your host, Jon Macaskill - a Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness teacher. Check out https://www.veteranspath.org or at any of the social media links below to find out more! Today, my guest is josh vineyard, a marketing and relationship manager for a company called 11th Hour Service which is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (an SDVOSB) that specializes in federal financial risk management and consulting, located in Falls Church but functions inside 8 states. Josh dealt with anxiety and depression for a long time, which eventually led him to utilize substances as a crutch to feel normal and happy. Out of all the things that lead him out of this time in his life, he says the most powerful and the only one that worked was meditation. We’re going to learn a lot more about Josh here on today’s episode of the Veteran’s PATH podcast! Learn more about Josh here - http://linkedin.com/in/joshua-vineyard-78894753 ******** Follow Veteran’s PATH here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPvJnrurdnXxdlaE7v3uoMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veteranspath/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/veteranspath LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veteran's-path Twitter: https://twitter.com/veteranspath --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/veteranspath/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/veteranspath/support

The Geopolitical Impact of Low Oil Prices    Table of Contents:   0:00 - 2:20: Introduction  2:21 - 7:56: Dealing with China in a COVID Environment  7:57 - 20:00: Impact on the Middle East and North Africa  20:01 - 25:06: European Union and Russia  25:07 - 28:25: Venezuela  28:26 - End: Final Thoughts and Hong Kong Update  Key Points:  With oil prices likely to remain low for an extended period of time, our Geopolitical Intelligence Group weighs in on the global implications.  We view the effects through the lens of U.S. national security policy and how China (in the COVID environment) will react domestically and internationally.  The consensus view is that the U.S. will not pull back on its commitment to its allies, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, but the relationships will evolve.   However, the consequences of low oil prices for other nations could be significant and we go around the world to discuss the potential ramifications.  In the Middle East, low oil prices will have an impact on nations using oil revenue to help subsidize their local economies.  Saudi Arabia, with a very low break even point for production, can sustain lower prices, but its Vision 2030 plan could be at risk.  Iran and Iraq will have significant economic issues to contend with as the impact of COVID is taking its toll, particularity on Iran.   In North Africa, lower oil prices will impact nations that are budgeting for much higher prices and will have ripple effects. We do not see Turkey backing away from its support of the GNA in Libya.  In Russia, we believe that low oil prices, the impact of COVID, and struggling overseas campaigns in Libya, Syria, and Venezuela will not deter Putin or erode his grip on power.  In Venezuela, while the U.S. does not intend to interdict Iranian shipping carrying fuel to the country, the stakes are high as the goal is an eventual transfer of power.     Major General (Ret.) James A. "Spider" Marks is Head of Geopolitical Strategy and Academy Securities' Senior Advisory Board Member. General Marks is the Founder and President of The Marks Collaborative, an advisory for corporate leader development, education and training and has led entrepreneurial efforts in global primary research and national security. He served over 30 years in the Army holding every command position from infantry platoon leader to commanding general and was the senior intelligence officer in the LA Riots, the Balkans, Korea, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He culminated his career as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf cluster, Bronze Star, and multiple combat, expeditionary and service ribbons. General Marks is a Master parachutist, authorized to wear Korean and Canadian Airborne wings, Air Assault qualified, and Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. General Marks is a national security contributor to CNN and member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.   Lieutenant General (Ret.) Robert S. Walsh is an Academy Securities' Advisory Board Member. Lieutenant General Walsh served in the Marine Corps for over 35 years, completing his career as the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development & Integration. In his last assignment, he was responsible for strategic planning and executing the reorganization of the Marine Corps to meet the new National Defense Strategy roles and missions. His responsibilities included integrating multiple warfighting functions and domains across all military services and the Department of Defense.    Major General (Ret.) Mastin M. Robeson is an Academy Securities' Advisory Board Member. A native of the Carolinas, Mastin Robeson was commissioned in 1975 and served over 34 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, during which time he served in more than 60 countries. He retired from the Marine Corps in February 2010. Major General Robeson served in combat zones in Liberia, Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia, Horn of Africa, Southern Philippines, Iraq and Afghanistan. He commanded at every operational level in the Marine Corps, including its Anti-Terrorism unit, an infantry battalion, an infantry regiment, a combined joint task force in combat, two Marine Expeditionary Brigades, two Marine Divisions, and the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. He served as Military Assistant to Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen and as General Dave Petraeus’ Director of Strategy, Plans, and Assessments in Iraq, where he was responsible for writing and assessing the 2007 Crocker/Petraeus surge campaign plan.      The following information has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as a solicitation, an offer to sell, or an offer to buy any security. Academy Securities Inc. accepts no liability for any errors or omissions arising as a result of transmission. Use of this communication by other than the intended recipients is prohibited.    Academy Securities is a preeminent disabled veteran owned investment bank with strength in public finance, fixed income and equity trading and underwriting. Leadership and staff have had intensive military training prior to entering and gaining in-depth financial services experience in global capital markets. We are mission driven with a high ethical code, a solid sense of accountability and strive for excellence in the pursuit of our clients' success. Intellectual assets, strong visionary leaders and a proud team commitment bring out the best in each other for the benefit of our clients. Academy is our nation's first and only post-9/11 disabled veteran owned investment bank and is certified as DVBE, SDVOSB and MBE. The firm has a strong top and middle tier client base served by a national platform with offices in New York, Chicago, Boston, San Diego, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Chapel Hill.   Please visit our website at www.academysecurities.com.    Third Party Research Disclosure:   The opinions are those of independent third-party research providers. Information contained herein is based on information provided by a third-party research provider and is not guaranteed by U.S., nor should the information be construed as an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein or provide investment advice. Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Academy Securities Inc, its employees, officers, or directors. Academy Securities, Inc. directors, officers and employees and their family members from time to time may own securities of the publicly traded companies discussed in any referenced independent Third-Party Research report. Academy Securities, Inc. may have a marketing partnership with several Third-Party Research providers to market their research services to institutional clients. Academy Securities, Inc. is an agency-only broker. The firm does not produce proprietary research, nor does it engage in any proprietary trading. The user is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the data received. Academy Securities, Inc. does not have any ownership of the subject company's securities. Academy Securities, Inc. has not managed or co-managed a public offering of securities for the subject company in the past 12 months. Academy Securities, Inc. does not or has not had any investment banking relationships with the subject company in the past 12 months nor expects to in the next 3 months. Academy Securities, Inc. does not have any market making activities in the subject company's securities. Academy Securities, Inc. does not maintain an analytical relationship and is not a member of any distributing organization. Academy Securities, Inc. makes no claim as to its accuracy or completeness. Academy Securities, Inc. is not responsible for the content or comments of these independent third-party research providers. Academy Securities, Inc. accepts no liability for any errors or omissions arising as a result of transmission. Use of this communication by other than the intended recipients is prohibited. 

  Working with the government can be very rewarding yet challenging especially when you are under contract. Today, Bob Roark talks to Digital Beachhead (http://www.digitalbeachhead.com/about.html) which is a company that seeks to build customer trust and corporate value by delivering Information Technology (IT) and Consulting Services Solutions in inventive economical ways. Mike describes what they do, who their target audiences are, and what they look forward to. He shares how it is working with the government and how they find people to fulfill their contracts. He also talks about cybersecurity including how they protect their clients in this field. --- Watch the episode here:Listen to the podcast here:[smart_track_player url="" title="Government Contracts And Cybersecurity With Mike Crandall" image="http://businessleaderspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BLP-SquareLogo-WhiteBlueBG1400x1400.png" background="default"] Government Contracts And Cybersecurity With Mike CrandallWe have Mike Crandall. He's the CEO of (http://www.digitalbeachhead.com/) . It is nice to be here. Thanks, Bob. Mike, thank you so much for taking the time. Tell us about your business and who you serve. My company is Digital Beachhead. It's a term I coined on a performance report back when I was in the military and the commander asked me, “What is a digital beachhead. How dare you to say you can protect it, that you're in charge of it and then you're so good at it?” I explained that he has email and that's what I protected. Instead of a typical beachfront, you have the digital one, which was everywhere. His eyes lit up and he was like, “That digital beachhead is everywhere.” Years later, the Under Secretary of Defense used it in a speech, saying that the adversary had secured a digital beachhead on our network. They went from my performance report to a Wing Award on up. The Pentagon had heard the word and that got incorporated in a speech. I bought the name. We primarily focus on cybersecurity for the federal government, but I am branching out to provide cyber risk management for small and medium-sized businesses. People don't understand the designations of many government contracting businesses and you have a specific designation. I am a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business or SDVOSB. Going back a little bit, you served in the Air Force and in the Middle East. Talk about a little bit of that experience and how that started to help you start this business. Back in the day, before we had networks, during the First Gulf War, there were only a few PCs around. I had got in trouble for breaking into one of those PCs. The commander explained how much money they paid to protect them and they had software that was supposed to be secure. There was a two keystroke per entry to get to the DOS Prompt. He effectively destroyed my “I'm in trouble paperwork” and said, “You are in charge of small computer security for the Air Force.” I was one young kid who didn't know much. They sent me to school. I learned how to do some basic hacking and defensive work, as well as offensive work. In those days, you couldn't network in to break into a computer so we had to touch them. If the adversary had some computer systems that they needed information off of, we had to go physically to the machine, wherever it may be to gather the data. I got to work with some much more powerful and influential military people. The special forces people dragged me along as their computer boy. I trained with them but I wasn't raised as one. I tagged along for the ride. I think about the progress we all take to develop our careers. You had the Air Force time and then you had the time in the field and at some point, you rotate out of the military. Maybe it would be useful for the people that are curious, how do you go from being in the military and doing what you did to be qualified or where to do government...

Shirley Collier, President of Scale2Market interviews Doug Jeruzal, CEO of Secure Innovations a 16-year old cybersecurity, SDVOSB business serving the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, on the trials and joys of growing an innovative business in the federal marketplace.

Congress has stated that 3% of Prime Federal Contracting Dollars needs to be set-aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).  We want to see if SDVOSB received at least 3% for the last ten years.   Facts: Total Contract Spending in the USA has increased by 7% Small Business Set-asides has risen by 2% HUBZone Set-asides has been decreasing by 78% 8(a) Set-asides has been reducing by 48%  

Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of government contracting.  I am your host, Nancy, and today we will be going over "How To Read a Bid?"  Can you believe it?  We are already on episode number 84.  But before we get started let's roll that intro. Introduction We left off on our last episode with you reading the solicitation multiple times. But before we go on let's review where the government posts its solicitations.  Remember the Federal Business Opportunities website is where the government lists all bids over $25,000.  The only exception to this is the Federal Aviation Administration.  The purpose of reading the solicitation was to make sure that you thoroughly understood what the government is wanting to accomplish.  You may have highlighted certain items in order to draw attention to them later.  Now you can begin to break down the solicitation. We have broken this down into the following five steps. Step 1 The first and most important sections that you should read together are Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs and Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors.  Make sure that the product or service is something that you can provide and whether you can comply with the requirements.  Make sure to take plenty of notes! Step 2 Next read section L (Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors) and Section M (Evaluation Factors for Award).  Yes, you read Section L in the first step but you need to read it a second time in conjunction with Section M.  These sections tell you which factors the government is going to use to evaluate the bids and deciding on who will receive the contract.  It will specify any key personnel, technical capability, or financial or transportation resources that will be needed.  Check these factors carefully to see whether your company is deficient in any area.    If you are, correct the problems prior to sending in your bid or you may elect not to bid on this contract.  This is ultimately the bid, no bid decision that you need to make. Important Tip.  You must consider all the factors in the contract, not just some so take notes. Step 3 Now spend some time and determine the general and specific requirements of the contract.  You will find this information in the Description, Specifications, and Statements of Work.  What is the government looking for?  Review the specifications carefully.  You must be able to comply with all of them.    Now let's move on to Step 4. Important Tip.  Any questions that you have must be addressed prior to contract award. Step 4 In step 4, we are going to read the Contract Clauses, Special Contract Requirements, Packaging and Marking, Inspection and Acceptance, Deliveries or Performance, and Contract Administration Data.  These sections will tell you the technical requirements on which you will need to perform.  Some of the requirements might sound extreme but remember that the item has to withstand extreme conditions.  Let's move on to the last step. Step 5 Read the certification provisions.  Currently, you don't have to answer these reps and certs in each solicitation that you respond to.  You only need to certify that the data you put into SAM is current or to indicate any changes necessary for the specific solicitation.  However, read the Section Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors. Here is where you will certify that you are a small minority, HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB, or woman-owned small business that you have not been debarred by the government.  You will also certify that you are an Equal Employment Opportunity Business and that you agree to certain other policies or programs of the government. Make sure that you read each section word for word so that you can bid intelligently.    Conclusion Remember to review the sections of the solicitation together so that you have a complete picture of what the government is asking for.  Also, it is best to submit any questions that you have to the government prior to contract award.  It is our hope that by providing you with this information that you will be able to put together a winning bid package.  

In this episode, LTC Gabriel Ruiz (Ret) brings us an incredible story of success through hard work, perseverance, learning and giving back. LTC Gabriel Ruiz is President and CEO of Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. (AITC), was recently awarded the 2017 North Florida Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Ruiz was also recognized as the 2016 North Florida District Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year.  Gabriel Ruiz was born in Puerto Rico, he served in the U.S. Army for 26 years as a Communications and Technology Acquisition Officer. In 2006 he proudly retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. This is when he then launched his business with the guidance of his mentor. Since 2013 AITC has delivered $70M+ programs. The company is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and currently 8a certified. After this powerful episode I promise you will walk away with lots of ideas, advice and guidance to become your own success story. For show notes please visit www.govcongiants.com/podcast

Shirley Collier, President of Scale2Market interviews Ed Delisle (edelisle@offitkurman.com), Principle and Chair of the Government Contracts Practice Group at Offit Kurman, a prominent east coast law firm, on the new SBA regulations and what they mean to small businesses already certified and to those who are intending to be certified. To learn more, visit our website or contact us at getinfo@scale2market.com.

  FCME uploads new episodes every Monday & Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. MST. Topics include proposal writing, bonds, types of contracts, why do business with the federal government, 8(a), business services for veterans and women, where federal opportunities are listed, and more. You can listen to the podcast here or with your favorite podcast provider (iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, or Stitcher). FCME is also active on social media and launched the Federal Contracting Made Easy YouTube channel on January 1, 2019.   Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   054 How To Become a Government Subcontractor? Introduction Please help support our podcast by purchasing from our store. https://teespring.com/stores/federal-contracting-made-easy We all know that the government is the largest buyer of products and services in the world. The competition is fierce for prime contractors. As a result, there are companies that are building relationships with these prime contractors in hopes of receiving a subcontract. Many small businesses have gotten into government contracting by utilizing this method. The goal of today’s episode is to introduce you to subcontracting. So let’s get on with it. What is a Subcontractor? A prime contractor is the one that received the contract from the government. A prime contractor is the point of contact on this contract and deals directly with the customer. Whereas, a subcontractor participates with the prime contractor to help complete the project for the client. As a subcontractor your contract is with the prime contractor. Simple enough! Consequently, depending on the contract a subcontractor plan may be required. Subcontracting Plan Federal contracts may require a subcontracting plan. When they do, the prime contractor must hire subcontractors. When is a subcontracting plan required? Well, that depends on the contract value and type of work being performed. Large prime contractors with contracts for goods and/or services other than construction, valued greater than $700,000 must establish subcontracting plans and goals for subcontracting with small businesses. For those prime contractors in the construction industry they will require subcontracting plans when the contract is greater than $1.5 Million. What does this mean to you? In short, it opens the doors for small businesses to become subcontractors. FCME uploads new episodes every Monday & Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. MST. Topics include proposal writing, bonds, types of contracts, why do business with the federal government, 8(a), business services for veterans and women, where federal opportunities are listed, and more. You can listen to the podcast here or with your favorite podcast provider (iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, or Stitcher). FCME is also active on social media and launched the Federal Contracting Made Easy YouTube channel on January 1, 2019. Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Steps to Become a Subcontractor to a Prime Government Contractor? Next, we are going to list the steps to streamline the process of becoming a subcontractor. In short, just follow these steps to get ready to become a subcontractor. Step 1. Get Your Official Paperwork in Order 1. To protect your personal assets from liability you must structure your entity correctly. 2. DUNS Registration. This is your business credit score. 3. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM.GOV). This registration is free, and it is essential for being paid by the government and government contractors.   After your paperwork is in order go to step 2. Step 2. Research Agencies and Prime contractor directories for subcontracting needs. Now that your paperwork is in order it is time to research prime contractors and find opportunities within our niche. Many federal agencies have Subcontracting Opportunity Directories that you can review. The U.S. Small Business Administration has a database called SubNet which allows large prime contractors to post opportunities for small businesses to serve as subcontractors. I have known many small businesses that have used this system to find prime contractors. General Services Administration (GSA) has a subcontracting directory for small businesses that are looking for subcontracting opportunities with prime contractors. The directory lists large business prime contractors that are required to have subcontracting plans and goals for subcontracting with small businesses. The Department of Defense (DoD) has a similar directory for large prime contractors that small businesses can use to find subcontracting opportunities. We have listed a few resources to help you get started finding subcontracting opportunities. Let us know if you find more. In the meantime, use the websites above to get started. FCME uploads new episodes every Monday & Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. MST. Topics include proposal writing, bonds, types of contracts, why do business with the federal government, 8(a), business services for veterans and women, where federal opportunities are listed, and more. You can listen to the podcast here or with your favorite podcast provider (iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, or Stitcher). FCME is also active on social media and launched the Federal Contracting Made Easy YouTube channel on January 1, 2019. Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   As you can see, the government wants large prime contractors to use subcontractors. They have even gone out of their way to make it easy for you to find these opportunities. Don't wait start using these listings now. After you have completed step 2 move on to step 3. Step 3. Attend Outreach Events Now that step 2 has been completed it is time to find outreach events to attend. Many prime contractors will hold outreach events, publish notice of sources sought, or solicitation for subcontract work. To start, you will need to create a Capability Statement to share with government contracting officers and prime government contractors. Don’t know what a Capability Statement is or how to write one? See our video here. Where are these events held? These events are held all over the country. See the list below for events that you may want to attend if you cannot locate one close to you. To find more opportunities use Federal Business Opportunities and search special notices. Lots of time the government will list opportunities there. 1. GCO Consulting Group is an SDVOSB that holds events in the Washington DC metro area. 2. Solvability is a government contracting consulting firm which holds annual events in Florida GovCon Summit. 3. AFCEA West connects military and government leaders with industry professionals. 4. National 8(a) Association Small Business Conference brings together small, minority and 8(a) businesses and offers educational sessions and resources.   After you have completed this step go on to step 4. Step 4. Research Prime Contractor Websites Prime contractors know that they cannot win a government contract unless they have a pool of subcontractors that they can refer to. Therefore, most large prime contractors’ websites contain information for potential subcontractors. These websites will explain how to register with the large prime contractor and the types of small businesses they are looking for.  Below are a few prime contractor websites for you. Please note that these prime contractors are not listed in any order. Top Prime Contractors (Not all listed) • L3 Technologies - https://www.l3t.com/suppliers/small-business • Boeing - http://www.boeingsuppliers.com/ • Honeywell - https://www.honeywell.com/contact-us/small-business • Pratt & Whitney - https://www.pw.utc.com/company/doing-business-with-us • Lockheed Martin Corporation - https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/suppliers/information.htmlhttps://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/suppliers/information.html • General Dynamics - https://www.gd.com/suppliers/become-supplier • Raytheon - https://www.raytheon.com/suppliers • Kiewit - https://www.kiewit.com/services/procurement/ • PCL Constructors Inc. - https://www.pcl.com/Partners-in-Building/Pages/Subcontractor-and-Supplier-Registration.aspx   We have only listed a small portion of prime contractors above. You will need to spend some time and find prime contractors within your geographical area. Once you have your registered on the website it would be a good idea to start building a relationship with the procurement person within the company. Call and setup a meeting to introduce yourself and discuss your capabilities with them. Give them a copy of your Capability Statement. Remember to follow up after the meeting and continually after the meeting. After you have been to some meetings it is time to go to the next step. Step 5. Prepare your administrative and accounting requirements for being a subcontractor. Before you start work as a subcontractor you will need to ensure that you are familiar with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR) and other acronyms that the government uses. Even though you are not the prime contractor you need to understand what is required of you. • You will need to become familiar with the rules and regulations associated with government contracting. For example, FAR Subpart 19.7 The Small Business Subcontracting Program and DFARS Subpart 219.7 (Remember DFARS is the supplement to the FAR for DoD). Also, you will need to get up to speed on FAR Part 44 Subcontracting Policies and Procedures. • Explore training opportunities with SBA, DoD or PTAC. SBA has online and in class training opportunities available. For online opportunities go here. For in class opportunities see your local SBA office. • Have you established internal financial controls and are they in compliance with Generally Acceptable Accounting Practices (GAAP)? If you do not know please contact your accountant. If you don’t have an accountant, then you will need to get one. It is advisable to have a good accountant, and attorney that you can reach out too. Don't think of these professionals as an expense but rather there are part of your team. The same goes for your bonding agent. • Will your company need a loan if awarded a contract? Look at financing options BEFORE you need one. It is better to have funding available before you need it.   Once you have completed this section it is time to make sure you know your correct set-aside. After you finish the above steps move on. What is Your Business Ownership Status? What percentage of the business do you own? Is it greater than or equal to 51%? Why do I ask? Because in order to qualify for set-aside’s you will have to declare your ownership percentage. If you do not own at least 51% or more of a company than you cannot claim that status. Also certain certifications require that you be certified by SBA. For example, you cannot claim the 8(a) or HUBZone status unless SBA has issued that status to you. Why does this matter in subcontracting? Because government agencies will define goals for their contractors for specific types of set-asides for certain certifications. The certifications include, but are not limited to 8(a) BD companies, HUBZone companies, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and Woman-Owned Small Business. In other articles we discussed each of these set-asides in detail. If you are not familiar with them check out our other articles. It is important to make sure that you claim the correct set-aside for your business. If you misrepresent yourself, the government can take action against you. Or worse, you could be suspended or debarred from government contracts.  Now that you have declared your set-aside status it is time to move on. Do I need any documents as a Subcontractor? Do I need to have a license? The prime contractor and the industry in which you are in will determine the documents. A license will be needed if you are seeking subcontract work that otherwise requires state or federal licensing. If you are not sure that your business requires a license check with your State's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. In addition, to the documents mentioned in step 1. Other documentation you will need to consider creating include: • A Capability Statement. This is a marketing document that will be required as a prime or subcontractor. • Proof of General Liability Insurance Coverage. The amount required will be dependent on the industry. Your company may also be required to obtain bonding. This is industry specific. If you are in the construction industry you will need bonding. Why would bonding be required? Doesn't the prime contractor take care of the bond? Your prime contractor may require that you bond your portion of the job. This is especially true if a large portion of the work to be performed is by one subcontractor. • Proposal Documentation to submit to the Prime Contractor. For more information see FAR 15.404-3.   Small Business Financing Because the government pays prime contractors after invoicing, it is necessary for subcontractors to have access to enough financing to cover the period between beginning the work and receiving the invoice payments. You could be required to demonstrate the availability of financing prior to being award a subcontract as part of showing the financial sustainability of your business. You can obtain a financial capability letter from a lender. By the way, if you are having difficulty obtaining financing, consider using SBA’s 7a loan program. Contact your local SBA office or your lender for more information. Conclusion Becoming a subcontractor is a great way to get familiar with the government contracting. The information that we have gone over is a great way for you to get started as a subcontractor.   FCME uploads new episodes every Monday & Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. MST. Topics include proposal writing, bonds, types of contracts, why do business with the federal government, 8(a), business services for veterans and women, where federal opportunities are listed, and more. You can listen to the podcast here or with your favorite podcast provider (iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, or Stitcher). FCME is also active on social media and launched the Federal Contracting Made Easy YouTube channel on January 1, 2019. Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   Please remember to subscribe to our podcast, and YouTube channels as we provide more information in future episodes. Please help support our podcast by purchasing from our store. https://teespring.com/stores/federal-contracting-made-easy

When working on your Business Development Strategy for Government Contracting it is vital to position yourself to win Government contracts.  There are many strategic ways to do this, especially if you are a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) or Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).  Your status as a VOSB or SDVOSB is a great start for increasing your chances of winning contracts.    

Scott Denniston, executive director of the National Veterans Small Business Coalition. joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss the challenges facing veteran owned small businesses, including funding issues and a recent court case that further reduces their ability to win government contracts.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria Panichelli from Cohen Seglias about the proposed rule changes to the SDVOSB certification. You will want to listen to this whether you have your official certification or if it’s pending. These rules will change how the VA and SBA handle this certification. There are a few potential changes that could disqualify your company from getting its certification if you are not prepared for them. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria Panichelli from Cohen Seglias about the proposed rule changes to the SDVOSB certification. You will want to listen to this whether you have your official certification or if it’s pending. These rules will change how the VA and SBA handle this certification. There are a few potential changes that could disqualify your company from getting its certification if you are not prepared for them.

Travis Witzke is an Army veteran of the Iraq war and Arizona State University MBA.My journey through entrepreneurism has been some lessons learned with victories sprinkled in. Currently, I consult small businesses in bridging the generational handoff gap through education, modernization, and strategy planning through my SDVOSB certified Witzke Group brand (www.witzkegroup.com). I am the inventor of the Bed Block (www.bedblock.co) to help those who suffer with discomfort or pain in their feet when sleeping, launching v2.0 shortly. I sit on the advisory board for the 1st New Allied Expeditionary Force (www.1naef.com), a Canadian based non-profit that specializes in delivery of medical supplies and care for civilians in combat zones. Since recording, I have also joined Desert Valley Tech who will be launching a blood and pharmaceutical transportation device aimed at delivering temperature sensitive medical items to remote and immediate need battlefield locations.   ______________________________________________________ If you enjoyed this episode please Comment Share and leave a review...   Join the Conversation in our Facebook Group Success Champions Each Sunday we send out an email with the 5 episodes that aired along with this interview Sign Up Here   Affiliate Links - Which means if you click and buy I will get paid... Audio Books have been a huge part of my journey. Audible changed the game by taking the books you love and turning them into Audio.... Check it out here https://amzn.to/2KeGXC5 Have you struggled with getting on podcasts? Have you found it difficult getting exposure? Check out what Abigail Sinclaire is doing with Human Network Connection

Travis Witzke is an Army veteran of the Iraq war and Arizona State University MBA.My journey through entrepreneurism has been some lessons learned with victories sprinkled in. Currently, I consult small businesses in bridging the generational handoff gap through education, modernization, and strategy planning through my SDVOSB certified Witzke Group brand (www.witzkegroup.com). I am the inventor of the Bed Block (www.bedblock.co) to help those who suffer with discomfort or pain in their feet when sleeping, launching v2.0 shortly. I sit on the advisory board for the 1st New Allied Expeditionary Force (www.1naef.com), a Canadian based non-profit that specializes in delivery of medical supplies and care for civilians in combat zones. Since recording, I have also joined Desert Valley Tech who will be launching a blood and pharmaceutical transportation device aimed at delivering temperature sensitive medical items to remote and immediate need battlefield locations.   ______________________________________________________ If you enjoyed this episode please Comment Share and leave a review...   Join the Conversation in our Facebook Group Success Champions Each Sunday we send out an email with the 5 episodes that aired along with this interview Sign Up Here   Affiliate Links - Which means if you click and buy I will get paid... Audio Books have been a huge part of my journey. Audible changed the game by taking the books you love and turning them into Audio.... Check it out here https://amzn.to/2KeGXC5 Have you struggled with getting on podcasts? Have you found it difficult getting exposure? Check out what Abigail Sinclaire is doing with Human Network Connection

If you have been listening for a while you will remember that I discussed that the SDVOSB program has a 3% goal.  This 3% goal applies to all the prime contracting dollars spent during the Federal Governments fiscal year.  That is approximately $15 Billion that should be set-aside for this program.  That is a lot of money folks.  

Charlie Whitfield is the Founder and CEO of Whitty Apps LLC, a SBA certified HUBZone, SDVOSB, WBE, Woman Owned and Operated Company. We are an emerging Software Engineering & Integration Company, specializing in mobile and device technology. In Today's Episode You Will Learn: * The undeniable way to build transferable skills * What you need to build a massively successful application * The extraordinary way to get funding to build your application empire and so much more Join us!

If you work in the Government acquisition world, this podcast is for you. (not just for Contracting Officers!) We’re here to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. As in any market, the Government contracting world is full of scams. We spend a lot of time on this podcast discussing how complicated doing business with the Federal Government can seem to beginners. We know that there are many upstanding consultants and companies that help new entrants to the Government market get started. (and some are free like the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and other Small Business Administration resources) There are also scam artists who misrepresent the complexity and costs and swindle aspiring Government contractors out of thousands of dollars. In this episode Paul sits down with special guest Shelley Hall to clarify that it does not cost ANYTHING to register to do business with the Federal Government. In addition, Paul and Shelley discuss a range of free resources available to Industry to simplify the process of registering and submitting a bid. You don’t have to pay to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) You don’t have to pay to get a Dun and Bradstreet No. (DUNS) You don’t have to pay to get a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code You don’t have to pay to use Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) You don’t have to pay for a Taxpayer Information Number (TIN) You don’t have to pay to “get” a North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code You do not have to pay to get small business assistance You do not have to pay to get 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or EDWOSB status DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE! ———— If you need help with the Government market, become a Skyway Connection Community licensee and get access to one-on-one insights, time-saving tools, and contract-centric training resources that will make sure you’re ready to take advantage of opportunities each time they knock. The Skyway Connection© Community was created specifically to help small companies expand their knowledge and capabilities, and to increase their competitive position in federal government acquisitions. - Learn more at: https://skywayacquisition.com/connect Membership benefits include: Access to Skyway Insight© Webinars Unlimited access to The RFP Score™ Access to Ask a Contracting Officer Forum™ Priority Access to Skyway Team for Skyway Insight, capture, proposal support __________ Kevin Jans and Paul Schauer created the Contracting Officer Podcast to help Government and Industry acquisition professionals understand more about how the other side thinks. Admittedly, the podcast’s name sounds very limiting. It is not just for contracting officers or even just for those in the contracting profession. Anyone with an interest in the Federal acquisition world can benefit from the insight and down-to-earth explanations of complicated topics provided by the hosts.

Charlie Whitfield / Whitty Apps Charlie Whitfield is the CEO of Whitty Apps LLC, a SBA certified 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WBE, Woman Owned and Operated Company. We are an emerging Software Engineering & Integration Company, specializing in mobile and device technology. We provide architecture, design, development, and project management expertise for our clients. Our innovative […] The post Charlie Whitfield of Whitty Apps and Rick Crain of Breakthrough Business Solutions appeared first on Business RadioX ®.

On February 22, 2016, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Kingdomware Technologies v. United States. Kingdomware Technologies is a certified, service-disabled veteran owned small business, or SDVOSB--a special type of veteran-owned small business, or VOSB. In 2012, Kingdomware filed a bid protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract to a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contractor who was not a VOSB. Kingdomware argued that the award violated 38 U.S.C. § 8127(d)’s “Rule of Two.” That provision directs that VA contracting officers, except under certain circumstances, “shall award contracts on the basis of competition restricted to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans if the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.” -- Although the GAO agreed with Kingdomware and recommended a re-bid, the VA declined to follow the GAO recommendation and Kingdomware sued the VA in the Court of Federal Claims. That Court ruled in favor of the VA and Kingdomware appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. A divided panel of the Federal Circuit affirmed the judgment of the Court of Claims, concluding that Kingdomware’s interpretation of “shall award” failed to account for qualifying provisions elsewhere in the statute. -- The question before the Supreme Court is whether the Federal Circuit erred by adopting a construction of § 8127(d)'s mandatory set-aside for VOSBs that arguably rendered the “Rule of Two” discretionary at the option of the VA. -- To discuss the case, we have Michael Toth, who is a lawyer in Washington, D.C.

On this week's show, Eileen Kent features the SBA Regional Director for the Midwest Region of the Small Business Administration, Marianne O'Brien Markowitz.  This key contact, Eileen describes as an agency “stakeholder” and Marianne discusses the responsibility of the Small Business Administration and how they help small businesses with federal contracting. Ms. O'Brien Markowitz also introduces the Business Cluster Initiative, which is connecting like-minded companies in each region which could be a great place for you to network locally. Eileen also covers small business designations such as 8a, SDVOSB, HubZone, VOSB, WOSB and why  having those preferences – or at least having teaming partners with those preferences – help you win federal opportunities. On a final note, Eileen Kent discusses why Independence Day week is an important time for federal contractors and how they can reach out to their customers in a positive manner during this time.      

GallantFew is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to reducing veteran unemployment, homelessness and suicide. Our scheduled guest is veteran Dali Rivera. As a dedicated wife and mother Dali knows that a well-prepared kitchen is the first step to a great meal. She always dreamed of making products that would make it easier to be a creative cook. Her dream became a reality when she was accepted into the Entrepreneur Boot Camp for Veterans (EBV) with Disabilities Program, at Syracuse University, NY in 2010.  The program gave Dali the tools she needed to realize her business goals and that same year Elite Revolutionary Solutions, LLC (ERS) was born. Its mission is to enhance the culinary experience by helping chefs, foodies and home cooks make delicious and nutritional meals as well as for ERS, LLC to become well known for employing veterans and providing its employees with resources pertaining to veterans' needs. Dali is also a graduate of the Veteran-Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program. Her passion for food and hard-working attitude has resulted in the creation of some of the most unique products in the food industry. She has been recognized by the MamiVerse.com, American Legion Magazine, WISE Magazine, Harford Style Magazine and endorsed by well-known chef and restaurant owner Joseph Keller, among others. Facebook  Twitter Website  

Scheduled guest is Cal Verdin, of Team Rubicon. Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams.   Since its creation in January 2010, TR has saved and helped thousands of lives – in Haiti, Chile, Burma, Pakistan, Sudan, and here at home. TR reaches victims outside the scope of where traditional aid organizations venture; victims on the fringe. TR Engages Veterans. Hundreds of US military veterans, many returning home after fighting ten years of war, find a renewed sense of purpose for their skills and experiences through TR. TR pioneered a new disaster response paradigm while redefining the meaning of veteran reintegration into society. On the streets of Port-Au-Prince, in the immediate aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, TR's military veterans had an epiphany – natural disasters present the same problems troops face in Iraq and Afghanistan: unstable populations, limited resources, horrific sights, sounds and smells. The skills cultivated on those same battlefields – emergency medicine, risk assessment/management, teamwork and decisive leadership – invaluable in disaster zones. GallantFew, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is committed to reducing veteran unemployment, homelessness and suicide.  Our priority is Project Darby - a focus on the US Army Ranger veteran.  Our nationwide network of Ranger veterans form mentors that help our newest veterans achieve a peaceful and successful transition. www.gallantfew.org

Scheduled guest:  Chad Storlie, author of Combat Leader to Corporate Leader & Battlefield to Business Success   Website: www.CombatToCorporate.com Twitter: CombatToCorp Facebook: Combat Leader to Corporate Leader Linked In: Combat To Corporate Read the Blog "The Stack: How to Translate Special Operations to Business" Military Transition Specialist           GallantFew is an innovative nonprofit that serves veterans transitioning from active duty, educates injured veterans on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and educates law enforcement on interaction with veteran through Boone Cutler's Warfighter.

Today's guest is retired Army LTC Carl Churchill, founder and co-owner of Lock-n-Load Java. Carl Churchill is a retired Army LTC who served for 21 years as both an enlisted soldier and officer.  Most of his time was spent in the muddy boots Army including tours with 9th ID, 3rd ID, 1st Ad, and SOCEUR. Carl has served in positions ranging from Fire Team Leader to LRSD Company Commander to Detachment Commander. He is also a combat veteran with numerous deployments throughout his career.  He is the founder of Lock-n-Load Java which he co-owns with his wife of 23 years, Lori Churchill.  Lock-n-Load Java provides premium grade coffee and cocoa products via the internet and ships anywhere in the US and to all APO and FPO addresses. Lock-n-Load Java regularly donates coffee to deployed troops and allows customers to do the same. They also donate a minimum of $1 for every order to a group of military related charities chosen for their excellence at supporting our service members, veterans, and their families.  For a list of these charities, please go to www.locknloadjava.com GallantFew is an innovative nonprofit that serves veterans transitioning from active duty, educates injured veterans on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and educates law enforcement on interaction with veteran through Boone Cutler's Warfighter.

Schedule guest is James Pan, USMC veteran and founder of www.worththerun.com. GallantFew is an innovative nonprofit that serves veterans transitioning from active duty, educates injured veterans on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and educates law enforcement on interaction with veteran through Boone Cutler's Warfighter.

Scheduled guest Mike Dowling, veteran of the USMC and author of the book Sergeant Rex.   The thrilling and inspiring story of a U.S. Marine and his German Shepherd Rex—a bomb-sniffing Military Working Dog—who forge an unbreakable bond of trust and loyalty while serving on the war-torn streets of Iraq's most dangerous city… GallantFew is an innovative nonprofit that serves veterans transitioning from active duty, educates injured veterans on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and educates law enforcement on interaction with veteran through Boone Cutler's Warfighter.

Scheduled guest is Rob Swartwood, President of Ranger Coffee. GallantFew is an innovative nonprofit that serves veterans transitioning from active duty, educates injured veterans on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and educates law enforcement on interaction with veteran through Boone Cutler's Warfighter.

This episode features the Kansas Small Business Development Center and it's efforts in helping Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. GallantFew is a veteran serving nonprofit that helps veterans (focus on US Army Rangers) transition from active duty to civilian life. Today's guest is: This internet radio program highlights veterans who have successfully achieved that transition; veterans that have overcome tremendous odds; organizations that provide great programs for veterans; and other items of general veteran interest.