Govcon Giants

On today's episode of Govcon Giants, I sit down with Jason Miller, Executive Editor of Federal News Network, to unpack the chaos shaking the government contracting community. Over the last 4–6 months , we've seen partnerships shrink, contracts cut, and entire workforces pushed into early retirement. Jason pulls back the curtain on GSA consolidation, NASA SEWP, consulting contract crackdowns, and t...

In this episode of The Daily Windup , we hear the real journey of going from lean years to landing that first prime government contract—and the challenges that don't go away once you "make it." My guest shares how he earned his 8(a) certification in November 2018, landed his first $4 million sole-source award in March 2019, and finally had the credibility to get lines of credit and scale. But the...

In today's episode of The Daily Windup , we tackle one of the biggest pain points in government contracting—finding the right people for business development (BD) and proposal writing. After attending several conferences last month, I heard the same frustration over and over again: good BD professionals and proposal writers are hard to find. The truth is, you won't find top talent scrolling throug...

In this episode of The Daily Windup , I break down one of the most misunderstood parts of government contracting—the acquisition process. Most small businesses don't realize that the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is where contracting officers themselves get trained, which makes it the perfect place to pull insights. Understanding this process can completely change how you approach opportuni...

On today's episode of The Daily Windup , I sit down with Marsha, a seasoned professional who's been in the world of government contracting since 1981. She cut her teeth as a cost engineer on the historic Three Mile Island cleanup contract with Bechtel and later sharpened her expertise at McDonnell Douglas as a pricing specialist. With decades of experience spanning pricing, accounting, and contrac...

In this episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, I sit down with Larry Sher, a seasoned government contracts attorney with over 30 years of experience, to break down the massive shake-ups happening in federal and state contracting. We're talking about billions in grants and contracts terminated overnight, including 2,100 NIH grants and entire programs at agencies like USAID, DOE, EPA, and FEMA. Larry...

In this episode of The Daily Windup , we hear the remarkable story of how a veteran-owned fuel delivery company went from serving local residential customers to expanding across multiple states—thanks to a single prime government contract. The conversation dives into the high-stakes world of priority one facilities during natural disasters, where fuel deliveries to hospitals and emergency shelters...

Today's episode of The Daily Windup pulls back the curtain on the reality behind "best value" government contracts—and why it often doesn't play out as the FAR says it should. You will hear real examples where long-standing contractors with exceptional CPARs and zero complaints still lost multimillion-dollar contracts to cheaper competitors. We dig into the influence of contracting officers, budge...

In this episode of The Daily Windup , we explore the surprising intersection between leadership confidence, self-doubt, and team dynamics in business. Our conversation uncovers how even seasoned CEOs wrestle with waves of uncertainty—despite producing thousands of deliverables over their careers—and how tools like StrengthsFinder and the Enneagram can help leaders better understand themselves and...

On this episode of The Daily Windup we take a candid look into the challenges, pivots, and surprising wins inside the government contracting world. Hear how our guest, a Native American woman-owned firm built its foundation by securing a help desk contract, training entry-level hires with environmental science degrees, and strategically using "unglamorous" projects as a proving ground for new tale...

In this eye-opening episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast , I sit down with Peter Harrell, former White House official and global trade expert, to break down what every small business owner, importer, and government contractor needs to understand about today's shifting economic landscape. We talk about the real impact of Trump's aggressive trade tactics—like imposing 145% tariffs with zero notice u...

In today's episode of The Daily Windup , we're talking with Brian Samvich of Anchin, a specialist in regulatory compliance and investigations, and someone deeply embedded in the real-world mechanics of government contracting . Brian breaks down how federal and state construction projects are now coming with strict participation goals—often 30%, 33%, or even 36%—for minority-owned, women-owned, vet...

Today's episode of The Daily Windup is a game-changer for veterans—especially those thinking about launching their own business. My guest shares her powerful journey through the Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) self-employment track, a hidden gem that can reimburse you up to $100,000 for everything from incorporation fees and websites to GovCon training and even a mentor or coach. You read th...

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I unpack one of the most overlooked truths about winning government contracts: you're not getting picked because they don't know you exist. That's where our three-pronged strategy comes in. Step one is just raising your hand and saying, "Hey, I'm here!" It might sound simple, but the truth is—if you're not showing up, following up, and building relationships wi...

If you're even thinking about government contracting or consulting, let me give you the inside scoop—the #1 bottleneck in the industry is finding good contractors. In today's windup, I break down exactly how having a list of reliable, responsible contractors (even just five!) can make you a go-to source overnight and potentially earn you thousands a day in referrals or direct contract opportunitie...

In this episode of Govcon Giants, I'm joined by Andrew McAllister from Holland & Knight—one of the largest law firms in the country—to unpack some serious developments that government contractors need to pay attention to. We're talking foreign ownership, national security scrutiny, skyrocketing tariffs, and the growing role of AI in defense and supply chain regulation. Andrew breaks down the risin...

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the intricate world of federal procurement, uncovering vital insights that could reshape your business strategy. Our guest, a seasoned entrepreneur, takes us on a journey through the maze of federal acquisition regulations and the diverse landscape of small business opportunities. Our discussion revolves around the power play between GSA (General Services...

In today's episode, we dive into a compelling discussion that debunks a widely believed misconception in the business world. Our guest speaker, passionately shares their journey of winning a significant contract without relying on certifications. They emphasize the importance of proving one's ability through action, rather than getting caught up in the certification frenzy. Our guest's captivating...

Today we dive into the incredible journey of our guest, who has managed to secure over $800,000 in government contracts within just six months. Our guest, who's already a successful entrepreneur, highlights the importance of understanding your target audience's needs, and shares how the federal government provided invaluable insights into what they want and how they want it. The journey began with...

In this episode, we sit down with Mr. Wayne Berry, a Senior Procurement Analyst and Small Business Specialist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the Department of Health and Human Services. With over 15 years of experience in federal contracting, Wayne provides valuable insights into how small businesses can navigate the complex landscape of government procurement. He breaks down...

In this power-packed episode, I reconnect with Merry Korn, a returning Govcon Giant who built and sold Pearl Interactive Network Inc. , a 100% government contracting company with 1,300 employees in 31 states . Merry shares the raw truth about what it takes to exit your business the right way—from building a company with social impact (prioritizing hires like disabled vets and HUBZone residents) to...

In this episode, I sit down with an inspiring entrepreneur who shares her journey from uncertainty to success in the world of government contracting. As a seasoned business executive with years of experience, she was no stranger to the complexities of certifications and government processes. However, she found herself hesitating to dive into the world of government contracts, even with her extensi...

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we delve into the intricate world of government contracting and explore the challenges entrepreneurs face when it comes to affiliation risks. Our speakers bring their insights to the table as they discuss the complexities of hiring practices, subcontracting limitations, and the impact of executive orders on regulations. The conversation kicks off with a reminde...

In today's episode, our guest shares their journey, from starting out with creative financing to leveraging their unique education background. We kick off with a candid conversation between our guests, exploring the discomfort of not winning in business. The guest reflects on their experience and emphasizes the importance of seeking debriefs after a loss. This valuable lesson, gained through perso...

In this episode, we uncover the secrets to entrepreneurial success. The discussion starts with our guest underscoring the importance of networking before leaping into opportunities by sharing the impact of organizations like the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) on reputation and growth. The conversation reveals the value of relationships and network expansion, echoing in the mention o...