Amtower Off-Center

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Ross Wilkers, senior staff Reporter for Washington Technology . They discuss the recently released WT Top 100 contractors . Topics include: 11 new companies made the list for 2026 Many were heavily focused on defense and law enforcement The outlier was first timer Lancer Information Solutions, an SDVOSB focused 100% on civilian agenc...

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly, president of FedSubK and a former federal acquisition professional. Topics discussed include: The current market climate, especially issues impacting small contractors The problems facing companies with various set-aside status Focusing on emphasizing your core capabilities, not yout set-aside status Compliance...

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower interviews Kevin Plexico, executive vice president of Deltek . The interview focuses on Deltek's 17th annual Clarity study which covers a multitude of issues in the government contracting arena.  Issues discussed include: The impact of AI across the GovCon community and the investments contractors are making in AI The overall impac...

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower interviews Katie Helwig, self-proclaimed OASIS+ nerd and founder/president of Mild Red LLC . The discussion focuses on the multiple changes on the proposal and bidding side of the market.  Topics include LPTA and HTRO methods of procurement, where each fits and why/when you need one of the other Understanding that you need to influence...

For the first show of year 19 for Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly of FedSubK for a candid discussion about the small business environment in GovCon. Topics include: 8(a) audits and the materials required by SBA, which resulted in the initial suspension of 1,000 companies Reduction of the percentage for set-asides, especially SD Bs Some tactics for small co...

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Karl Feldman, managing partner of Hinge Marketing , to discuss the findings of the annual Hinge High Growth Study . Topics discussed include tactics used by high growth companies such as: Research to determine best marketing & BD tools and tactics Conferences and other live networking venues The role of social networking and...

Martin Reeves of the BCG Henderson Institute returns to Amtower Off Center to discuss his latest book. " Like: The Button That Changed the World ". Topics include:  The evolution of the Like button What the creation and adoption of the button reveals about technical innovation Why the button is addictive The rise of the "Like" economy How Like transformed advertising and marketing Like-f...

Laura Ries, chairwoman of Reis Consulting and author of multiple business strategy books, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss her latest book: The Strategic Enemy . Topics include: Building your brand with an "enemy" in mind Branding mistakes entrepreneurs make The power of saying NO to maintain focus Why brand extension does not work Creating a category where...

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Evan Weisel, principal and co-founder of W2 Communications for a discussion on thought leadership in GovCon. Topics discussed include: What constitutes thought leadership for our market Thought leadership examples including white papers, case studies, data-based research and more How to consistently leverage thought leadership Develo...

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Kaamil Khan, president of Makpar Corporation , a small IT services firm. Topics discussed include: Khan's journey to become president of the family owned business, leveraging his law degree and a natural talent for BD Makpar's experience with my LinkedIn training and the benefits thereof Kahn's experience in the ACT-IAC Voyager progr...

This week on Amtower Off Center , Kevin Plexico, SVP of Deltek , joins host Mark Amtower for a deep discussion on the current state of government contracting. Topics include: YTD contract activity vs FY 24, and how it has impacted spending The impact on SIs, VARs, small contractors and others Regulatory changes and the future of GWACs The new Deltek Clarity study (available free) which deals with...

This week on Amtower Off Center , Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology , joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the GovCon market as reflected by the WashTech 2025 Top 100 contractors. Topics discussed include: First year-over-year decline in prime contracts since 2016 sequestration A recap of CGI's Stephanie Mango's interview with Nick on...

Shauna Weatherly, former govie and now founder and president of FebSubK ,joins host MarkAmtower for an in-depth discussion on the current state of the SmartPay (government charge card) program. Topics include: The charge card program background from inception in the late 1980s How it works and why it is so successful at what it does What is happening now with the program, including consolidated bu...

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology for a wide-ranging, candid discussion of the new administration's executive orders impacting the GovCon industry. Topics include: The order from GSA to investigate the"consulting" contracts of the top 10 OASIS contractors Tthe temporary suspension of the government charge card pr...

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

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

This week on Amtower Off Center , host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Lindholm, founder and managing principal at FedSavvy Strategies for a discussion on the myriad of sources available to government contractors for researching before bidding. Topics include: What open source intel is available to contractors How to parse this data for useful items Why should you be looking at protest decisions a...

Ross Wilkers, senior reporter for Washington Technology , joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a follow-up interview, this time addressing the Washington Technology Fast 50 contractors . The list includes fifty companies that submitted financial data to WashTech to verify their growth over the past 5 years. Topics include: Types of firms on the list, including IT services,...

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

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

Author, consultant and speaker Andy Fry joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a discussion of two of Fry's books: The Consultant's Code and The Trust Paradigm . Topics discussed include: The 4 pillars of consulting (intelligence, effort, likeability and intent) with a brief dive into each pillar. Why trust is key, including Why trust is important (more reasons than you migh...

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

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

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

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