FedBiz'5

Send us Fan Mail AI is moving fast in federal contracting, but the real opportunity for small businesses may not be where everyone thinks it is. In this episode of FedBiz’5, we break down how AI, cybersecurity, and federal buying are converging, and why that creates both pressure and possibility for small business contractors. Agencies want AI-enabled solutions, but they also need security, govern...

Send us Fan Mail The Simplified Acquisition Threshold has moved to $350,000 , and that creates a bigger, faster lane for small business contractors who know where to look. In this episode of FedBiz’5 , we break down why simplified acquisitions may be one of the smartest places to build early federal wins in 2026. These opportunities are often more focused, less burdensome than larger RFPs, and ide...

Send us Fan Mail Teaming can unlock bigger contracts fast. It can also quietly trigger affiliation risk and get your “small business” bid thrown out after a size protest. In this episode of FedBiz’5 , we break down how to team with primes the right way, without accidentally looking like a pass-through or an “ostensible subcontractor.” You’ll learn what SBA affiliation really means in plain English...

Send us Fan Mail Fixed-price contracting is gaining momentum fast, and for small businesses it changes everything. It reshapes how solicitations are written, how bids are evaluated, and who absorbs risk when scope shifts. In this episode of FedBiz’5, we break down what the government’s fixed-price push really means in practical terms. You’ll learn why some firms win fixed-price contracts and still...

Send us Fan Mail Federal contracting can feel like a rigged slot machine. One week your opportunity is “almost ready,” the next week everyone goes silent, and then suddenly you’re staring at a 48-hour deadline in September. It’s not luck. It’s funding. In this episode of FedBiz'5 , we break down how federal money actually moves from “budget” to “obligation,” why the fiscal year creates the fa...

Send us Fan Mail Breaking into government contracting does not always start with winning prime contracts on your own. Sometimes the smartest path is getting on the radar of the right prime contractors and positioning your business as a valuable teaming partner. In this episode of FedBiz'5, we break down a practical, easy-to-follow strategy for small businesses that want to win more government...

Send us Fan Mail Contracting officers are busy, risk-focused, and constantly juggling competing priorities. That’s why so many well-intentioned outreach emails get ignored, even when the contractor is fully capable. In this episode of FedBiz’5 , we break down how to communicate with government buyers in a way that earns trust, reduces perceived risk, and actually gets replies. The spark for this e...

Send us Fan Mail If your SAM.gov status is Active but your inbox is quiet, this episode explains why and what to fix. In this FedBiz Five episode, we break down the difference between being “registered” and being “findable.” Contracting officers still use SAM.gov and SBA’s Small Business Search for market research, but they scan fast and they skip profiles that look unclear, inconsistent, or hard...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz'5, we tackle one of the most costly problems in government contracting: chasing the wrong opportunities. Small and medium sized businesses rarely lose because they cannot do the work. They lose because they burn precious time and proposal dollars on bids that were never a strong fit to begin with. You will learn a practical No-Go playbook you can run...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz’5, we unpack the SBA’s 2025 Annual Report and translate it into what really matters for small business government contractors heading into 2026. We break down the report into clear signals: record access to capital, a serious push on program integrity and fraud enforcement, shifting contracting priorities (including veterans and manufacturing), innovation...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz’5 , we tackle a silent deal-killer in government contracting: being invisible to buyers online. Contracting officers and primes may start their search in SAM.gov and SBA’s Small Business Search, but they increasingly validate vendors through LinkedIn and AI-powered research tools long before they return an email or agree to a capability briefing. You’ll l...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz’5, we break down the late-2025 signals that are already reshaping government contracting in 2026 – and what they really mean for small and mid-sized businesses. From the ongoing FAR overhaul and tightening cybersecurity expectations under CMMC, to FedRAMP 20x, GSA Schedule ordering trends, evolving SBA certification processes, and a more dynamic SAM.gov,...

Send us Fan Mail For years, “lowest price wins” ruled federal contracting, but that’s not the whole story anymore.  In this episode of FedBiz’5, we unpack how FAR changes, MAS reforms, and category management are pushing agencies toward true best-value decisions that weigh performance, past performance, and risk alongside price.  You’ll hear five practical ways to package value in your bids. From...

Send us Fan Mail AI just moved from buzzword to daily workflow inside federal agencies. GSA’s new OneGov deal with Perplexity means contracting officers will be using AI to research vendors, draft RFIs, and even summarize proposals — with your company often being “seen” by AI before a human ever looks you up. In this episode of FedBiz’5, we break down what Perplexity actually does for the acquisit...

Send us Fan Mail The new fiscal year is underway — and for small and mid-sized government contractors, FY 2026 is already shaping up to be full of promise. In this  episode of FedBiz’5 , we break down the ten most strategic contracting categories where smaller firms can gain traction, from facility maintenance and infrastructure projects to healthcare tech and R&D innovation. You’ll learn: Whi...

Send us Fan Mail When Washington grinds to a halt, many contractors do too. The smart ones don’t. They use shutdowns as a strategic reset; a window to strengthen relationships, sharpen operations, and prepare for the surge when funds return. In this episode of FedBiz’5 , we break down the calm contractor’s playbook: how to triage active contracts, manage communication like a pro, stabilize cash fl...

Send us Fan Mail A federal shutdown can stall agency spending, delay awards, and leave even seasoned contractors wondering what’s next. But here’s the truth — a shutdown is federal, not final. While Washington pauses, procurement across state, local, and education (SLED) markets keeps moving. In this episode of FedBiz’5 , we explore how government contractors can pivot during a shutdown without lo...

Send us Fan Mail The FAR rewrite is the most sweeping change in federal procurement in decades, and for small business contractors, Part 19 is where the stakes are highest. This section of the FAR governs how and when contracts must be set aside for small firms, how socio-economic certifications like 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, and SDVOSB are applied, and how prime contractors must engage with small busi...

Send us Fan Mail The Missile Defense Agency is preparing to launch one of the largest contracting vehicles in U.S. history: SHIELD —the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense contract, valued at up to $151 billion over 10 years . This episode of FedBiz'5 explains what SHIELD is, how it fits into the broader Golden Dome initiative, and why it’s structured differently from past...

Send us Fan Mail On October 1, 2025, major acquisition thresholds shift across federal contracting—and small businesses stand to benefit. In this episode of FedBiz'5 , we break down the new rules from FAC 2025-06, including the micro-purchase threshold rising to $15K and the simplified acquisition threshold jumping to $350K. We explain what’s changing, why these thresholds move, and most impo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz'5 , we break down the 10 easiest government contracts to win and, more importantly, explain why they’re easier entry points for small and veteran-owned businesses. From janitorial services and office supplies to IT support, medical equipment, and staffing, these opportunities are recurring, accessible, and often set aside specifically for small busin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz'5 , we unpack the sweeping overhaul of FAR Part 12 , the section that governs the acquisition of commercial products and services. Driven by Executive Order 14275, this reform simplifies procurement, raises acquisition thresholds, reduces red tape, and better aligns federal buying with commercial practices. Learn what’s new, why it matters—especially...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz'5 , host Sam Fields explores a proposed amendment by Rep. Derrick Van Orden that would direct the Department of Defense to establish annual contracting goals specifically for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs). While it hasn’t become law yet, this amendment holds promise for increased set-aside opportunities, greater visibility for VOSBs, and a f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz’5 , host Bobby Testa dives into a challenge every contractor faces—cutting through the noise in an increasingly competitive federal marketplace. You’ve got the qualifications. You’re in SAM. Maybe you even have some past performance under your belt. So why are you still getting passed over? Because in today’s government marketplace, being “qualified” isn’...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of FedBiz'5 , Bobby Testa breaks down Executive Order 14240—"Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Government Procurement"—and why it’s shaking up the entire landscape of federal contracting. If you’re a current or aspiring government contractor, this EO isn’t background noise—it’s your new playbook. Uncle Sam is cleaning hou...