I have issues w/ this message. Not because of the trend – I love the trend. But bc it’s so clear that an expansive market remains untapped. The federal government buys these services in exorbitant quantities. 99% of businesses will never engage w/ govt contracts. Breaking it down here. Time to drive stronger SMBs to the federal market.

@sanmijohn_sj Lots of shortfalls, unfortunately.

@gvtcontractor Army!

Today, a federal agency awarded a small business a $22 million contract for stone masonry restoration services over the next 5 years. 3 offers received.

A new client came to us last month frustrated that she couldn't find a single federal contract opportunity in sam. She knew they were out there. Didn't understand why she was coming up empty-handed. Here's why she couldn't find them: 1. Wrong search terms. Government was calling the capability a different term from what she advertised on the private side. 2. Wrong platform. Searching in the wrong area, for the wrong type of federal contracts. 3. In her specific industry, our research revealed there were only a handful of solicitations a year released on sam -- only for the highly complex, 7-figure+ contracts. The data told us: stop searching there, and led us to three other much more accessible avenues to pursue.

Today, an additional five small businesses were awarded a $45 million order-dependent federal contract for architect-engineer services over the next five years. 55% of the bids for this contract won.

There is no playbook for businesses to pursue federal contracts. Highly complicated information about the federal contracting process is all over the place. There is no clear starting point. And being sent to watch 150 webinars is not a starting point.

Definitely free for registration and certification applications! Full transparency, some SMBs do opt for operating agreement legal expertise if there is one owner who doesn’t qualify for the same status as the majority (veteran, woman, etc) to ensure standards are clearly met for certain certs.

@Paul0Montenegro Congrats! That is awesome. Clearly demonstrating dependable and quality value — and it’s playing off. Our focus is in federal contracts, which lay out clear options for extensions.

"Executive coaching" -- wildly unpopular this week! But here's a different stance. Years ago, I participated in an "executive coaching" training. Govt had brought in a private company that was a global powerhouse in leadership development for Fortune 500 CEOs. Absolute killers in their field. Got a room full of military leaders to take in tactics and strategies that the most successful CEOs in the world adopt. Fundamentally different mindsets than military. Mindsets otherwise impossible to integrate amidst decades of service in public sector bureaucracy. My point? Federal government can and should absolutely benefit from private sector experts -- experts who can infuse a different level of thinking, approaches, and tools for the betterment of federal performance. Of course, with judicious selection and requirement alignment.

The strongest businesses in the federal market are those genuinely committed to advancing government missions, national security, and federal performance.

Small businesses winning major federal contracts never gets old. Four small businesses were awarded a $30 million federal contract today for architect-engineering services over the next five years.

The VA’s new priorities are clear: “We’re going to deliver timely access to care and benefits for every eligible Veteran, family member, caregiver and survivor. We’re going to put Veterans at the center of everything VA does, focusing relentlessly on customer service and convenience. We’re going to challenge the status quo in order to find new and better ways of helping VA beneficiaries. We’re going to celebrate the vast majority of VA employees who do a great job every day and hold employees accountable when they fall short of the mission. We’re going to provide Veterans with the health care choices they have earned while maintaining and improving VA’s direct health care capabilities. And we’re going to do a better job reaching Veterans at risk of homelessness or suicide – especially those who have had no contact with VA.”

@Mikethelummox SDVSB, WOSB, 8A, SB, etc certifications can all be leveraged. Certain agencies and industries prioritize in different ways. Always interesting to look at the trends according to your capabilities, and strategize accordingly.

When is it time to hire a government expert? 1. When you think your business has a strong market potential to enter federal contracts. Hire an expert to formally help you understand the opportunity and strategy. 2. When you are ready to talk to the government and partners about your capabilities. Hire an expert to build your foundational, government-facing communications products. 3. When you are ready to expand your partnership reach, beyond your warm network. Hire an expert to tell you which events to go to, who to pull aside, and what to say. 4. When you are ready to find, vet, and bid on federal solicitations. Hire an expert to do this for you, identifying the strongest potential opportunities that align with your capabilities and capacity, and coach you through the process. 5. When you are ready to expand the functional roles of your government portfolio. Hire an expert to help you design the roles and requirements you'll need to substantially grow your federal contracting arm.

Capability-specific trends associated with federal contract obligations always tell a story. They reveal actionable implications for businesses and investments, showcasing how viable the forecasted industry can be. Key questions: - What are the historic spending trends? - Are projections on track, or surpassed? - What can we predict about future spends and anticipated surges for the capability need? - What federal policy or initiatives are driving long-term forecasted spending trends? - Is this a viable capability for future federal contracting opportunities -- and if so, what's the strategy to pursue?

Security and alarm systems and inspections services represent huge opportunity in federal contracting. Every federal facility requires this infrastructure and capability, including maintenance, testing, upgrades, and replacements over its lifespan. Currently, for instance, the Air Force is seeking to install, test, and certify a security and alarm system at a federal facility. Offers due next week. One of many.