GovCon Unscripted

AI isn’t here to replace you, but it might replace how you work. In this special episode of GovCon Unscripted , Chelsea Meggitt is joined by David Neal , known as a game-changer in government contracting, and David Fine , a technologist and AI advocate, to explore the role of artificial intelligence in federal acquisition. Together, they unpack the promise and the pitfalls of emerging AI tools, wh...

Why do so many great GovCon companies struggle to stand out? In this episode, Chelsea is joined by Kris Brinker , Co-founder of Ocean 5 Strategies , to talk about why branding, messaging, and content strategy matter more than ever, especially for companies graduating from 8(a) or hitting a growth plateau. We unpack how established firms can evolve their image, align internal culture with external...

What happens when acquisition reform meets legal reality? In this episode of GovCon Unscripted , Chelsea Roberts is joined by Tom Barrow , counsel at Woods Roger s and a former Army JAG attorney, to dissect the FAR 2.0 rewrite. They unpack what reforms are possible and what’s simply untouchable by executive action. This is the conversation federal contractors need right now to cut through the nois...

Can one contract vehicle really change how the government buys? In this episode, Chelsea catches up with Katie Helwig , president of Mild Red LLC , to decode the latest from GSA . From MAS and OASIS+ to the emerging Polaris contract. They explore what small businesses need to know now to stay ahead in 2025’s evolving GovCon landscape. On this episode: How centralized procurement is reshaping feder...

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted , Chelsea welcomes Alexa Tsui , COO of G2X , to break down how business developers in GovCon can stay ahead, especially with the rise of AI, budget shifts, and changing customer landscapes. On this episode, we explore: G2X’s all-in-one platform for BD professionals Why companies need to stop trying to prime everything How AI certification is becoming a critical...

What happens when tariffs, talent migration, and immigration collide at the policy level? In this episode, Chelsea welcomes Andy Semotiuk , U.S. and Canadian immigration attorney, Forbes contributor, and policy expert, to explore how shifting U.S.-Canada dynamics are impacting global trade, innovation, and the human cost of enforcement. We cover: Tariffs and the decline of North American cooperati...

What does it take to actually build and scale physical innovation in GovCon? In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Callye Keen , CEO of KForm and host of Startup Defense , to explore the real challenges of bringing new defense technology to market from startup myths to manufacturing realities. We cover: 🛠️ The hard truths of scaling defense tech 📉 Why most SBIR-funded startups never transition...

What if reforming the FAR wasn’t just possible—but inevitable? In this episode, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Chip Walter , former Navy pilot and CIA innovation lead turned partner at Marlinspike . Together, they unpack the real impact of the new Executive Order on acquisition reform—and what it means for startups, contracting officers, and the defense tech landscape. On this episode, we discuss:...

What if the tools you’re using are actually slowing you down? In this episode, I sit down with Noura Bashshur , Senior Director of Growth at Vultron , to explore how proposal writing is being turned on its head by AI, compressed deadlines, and non-FAR procurement methods. We dive into smarter, faster ways to win—and how contractors must shift from boilerplate compliance to strategic persuasion. On...

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted , F-15E Strike Eagle pilot-turned-innovator Clark "Slider" Haymond (COO of DEWM) reveals how his team is solving one of DoD’s biggest training gaps: realistic electronic warfare (EW) at 1/100th the cost. Key Takeaways: 🎯 The $15M Training Gap: Why current EW range systems fail pilots (and how DEWM’s Dart fixes it). ✈️ From Spark Tank to SBIR: How winni...

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted , Christine Hopkins —CEO of ASCII and 2025 Alaska Small Business Person of the Year—shares her gritty journey from near-collapse in the oil industry to thriving in federal contracting. Discover how she navigated scams, remote business development from Alaska, and the whiplash of recent policy changes. Key Takeaways: 🚨 Scam Alert: The predatory emails and contr...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted ! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I’m joined by Stacey Piper , founder and CEO of Piper Strategies . Stacey brings 30+ years of experience in federal contracting—from her early days in the intelligence community to launching her own marketing firm helping government contractors grow. We discuss marketing challenges in GovCon, personal brandin...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted ! I'm your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with David Doerrier —GovCon trainer, Army veteran, and public speaking expert. We dive deep into the power of clear communication in the world of federal contracting. David shares his insights on how even the most qualified contractors can lose opportunities if they fail to effectively deliver...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with JL Hancock—a retired Naval cryptologist and innovation expert with two decades of experience in defense technology. We talk about his work with SEAL teams, innovation funding, overcoming acquisition hurdles, and his pivot into writing techno-thrillers. On this episode, we discuss: 🧠 What it tak...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Mark Wigginton to discuss key insights on how businesses can navigate the complexities of government contracting. We explore: 🔍 How to turn chaos into opportunity 💼 Why the top of your resume is your prime real estate 💡 Tools to identify and articulate your strengths 🧠 How mindset and persp...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted ! I'm your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Tim Balz , CEO of Kalogon to discuss key GovCon strategies, industry trends, and the biggest challenges facing government contractors today. We discuss:  🔍 The most pressing challenges GovCon businesses face in today’s market 💡 Strategies for navigating government contracts successfully...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I'm your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with my co-author and GovCon expert, David Neal , to discuss our new book,  Hey, GovCon, Get Help! — a survival guide for government contractors. We cover: 🔍 The pitfalls and scams in federal contracting 💡 Why success requires more than a "one-trick pony" 🚀 How to orient yourself in t...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted ! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Barry Furey , a public safety expert and 911 consultant with over 55 years of experience in emergency response and public safety communications. We explore: 🚨 How different government agencies manage 911 services and emergency response. 🔑 Why staffing shortages are the biggest crisis facing...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Aubrey Gainfort , Founder and Host of Breaking the Standard Podcast , a platform dedicated to helping small businesses access the right information to succeed in federal contracting—without costly misinformation . We explore: Why she created Breaking the Standard to provide small businesses wit...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with Graham Plaster , Director of Nautilus , to discuss how emerging technologies, OTAs, and defense innovation are shaping the future of GovCon . We explore: The role of Nautilus in supporting the Naval Surface Warfare Division Dahlgren. Why only 0.2% of small businesses participate in the federal i...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down for another episode with Judy Bradt , CEO of Summit Insight , to dive into her groundbreaking Micro Engagement Magic approach for federal contracting. We explore: How micro engagements act as “dopamine” for relationship-building in GovCon. The five love languages adapted for government contracting:...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Judy Bradt , CEO of Summit Insight , to discuss her powerful Players & Layers™ methodology , a proven framework that helps businesses win more government contracts by building the right relationships . We explore: The five layers of players in every federal acquisition—and why relationships...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Katie Roberts , Founder and CEO of RPR Strategies . With extensive experience in both the federal government and Fortune 500 companies , Katie shares how she built a company that bridges the gap between the public and private sectors to drive success in government contracting . We discuss: How...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Todd Packer , Principal Consultant at Todd Packer Associates, and Harlan Bennett , CEO of Ever Evolving Inc., to discuss innovation management and how businesses can structure their processes to stay competitive in GovCon. We dive into: Why innovation needs structure and how the ISO 56000 frame...

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt , and in this episode, I sit down with Sharon Heaton , CEO of SBLiftoff , a leading M&A advisory firm specializing in government contracting. We take a deep dive into GovCon Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and explore: The key factors that determine the value of a government contracting business. What buyers look for when a...