Rick Porterfield
Winning Government Contracts
The government is the world's largest buyer — and the #1 growth opportunity for small businesses. But most firms struggle to understand the marketplace, write winning proposals , or get small business certifications that unlock set-aside contracts. That's where this podcast comes in. For over 20 years, I've helped hundreds of small businesses win billions of dollars in government contracts — especially minority-owned businesses (MBE), woman-owned businesses (WBE), veteran-owned businesses (VOSB), and 8(a) firms. I break down federal contracting and selling to the government into practical, act...
Author
Rick Porterfield
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
May 22, 2026
Where to listen?
Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soonPodcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts
Episodes
Good Writing Alone Does Not Win Awards 22.05.2026 20:29
Most losing proposals are not terrible. They’re just neutral. Polished and professional and still losing - because they gave evaluators nothing specific to score. In this episode, I break down the single biggest misunderstanding in proposal development: most companies treat proposals as a writing problem. They focus on sounding professional, telling their story, and making a great impression. B...
The AI Proposal Method That Actually Wins Contract Awards (Pt 3) 13.05.2026 21:40
You know AI isn’t the problem — how you use it is. You already know that neutral proposals lose and evaluators score results, not intentions. Now you need the method. The steps that take an opportunity from blank page to high scoring proposal. And how to use AI as a tool to make it happen, to help you stop losing bids that you should be winning. In this final episode of a 3 part series — we walk...
Why AI Generated Proposals Score Neutral — How to Fix It (Part 2) 28.04.2026 24:42
Your proposal sounds professional. It covers every requirement. It reads like a proposal should. And it’s losing to companies with the same experience, qualifications, and past performance as yours. The reason isn’t your writing. You’re losing because you’re neutral. In this episode, we break down what neutral means in proposal scoring, what it takes to earn a strength instead, and the hidden...
Why AI Is Failing Your Proposals — And What to Do About It (Part 1) 23.04.2026 33:14
If you’re using AI to write proposals and still not winning — this episode is for you. You will find out how to use AI to win, not just write . The problem isn’t your AI tool. It isn’t your writing team. It isn’t the competition. It’s that AI is producing proposals that look good, sound right, cover all the requirements — but score neutral. And neutral doesn’t win awards. In this episode, Rick...
Marketing to The Government Part 2: Turn Your Value Proposition Into Contract Wins 18.11.2025 27:12
The federal government spends $10 billion monthly with small businesses. Learn how to position your company to win your share through strategic marketing and relationship-building. What You'll Learn: Craft a value proposition that makes agencies choose you over competitors Build agency relationships without or annoying them Use GAO and IG reports to find problems you can solve Make smart bid/...
Marketing To The Government Part 1: How to Find Government Customers 15.11.2025 22:02
You're trying to win government contracts, but you're flying blind. You don't know which agencies buy what you sell, where they're buying, or who's winning the work you could be doing. The federal government spends $500+ billion annually. They're already buying what you sell—you just need to know where to look. In this episode, I'll show you the exact 5 resear...
Qualifications for Small Business Certifications 17.06.2025 24:44
Thinking about getting certified as a minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, or HUBZone business? In this episode, learn the core qualifications you need to know before you apply. Whether you're eyeing federal or state-level program certifications, this episode lays out the essentials in a clear, no-nonsense way. What “small business” really means Why ownership and control matter — and w...
From $0 to $1M in Two Months: A Story of Government Contracting Success 29.05.2025 22:32
🎧 Episode Summary: What if you could turn a struggling business into a $1M success in just 60 days? That’s exactly what Chuck did—with no special certifications and a limited budget. In this episode, find out the step-by-step process that helped Chuck land over $1M in government contracts in just two months. From finding the right opportunities on SAM.gov to writing proposals that win, this sto...
Are You Even in the Game? What It Takes to Qualify for Small Business Certifications 19.05.2025 17:07
🎧 Episode Summary: Just listening won’t land you contracts— action does . In this episode, Rick challenges you to step up and stop waiting. Want to grow your business? The #1 way to do it is by making the U.S. Government your customer. Small business certifications like 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone open doors to powerful contracting opportunities . But do you qualify? Rick breaks down the comm...
Introduction to Certifications 15.05.2025 24:44
This is an old episode that I am re-posting. (An oldie but goodie you might say). A lot of people have questions about certifications - how they benefit you, how you qualify etc. One of the best ways I have seen in my 40 plus years as a consultant, to accelerate your growth in the government market, ios to get a certification and know how to leverage it. This podcast helps you with that. For...
Which Certification is Best for Me? 29.10.2024 21:42
Visit www.winninggovernmentcontracts.com for more info and help with proposals and certifications. Choosing the right certification is a key to success in winning government contracts! In this episode, find out: How to choose the best certification for your business? What to do if you don't qualify for a certification? Plus, answers to listener submitted questions. As always, you get much...
The Three Step Roadmap to Winning Government Contracts 25.10.2024 22:24
Visit www.winninggovernmentcontracts.com for more info and help with proposals and certifications . " What is the best approach, in sequence to get started with winning government contracts? " That's a great question and there is a three step road map that I take clients through that takes them from having never done work with the Government to success in the Government market. I...
What are Certifications? How can they help my Business? 23.10.2024 24:44
Visit www.winninggovernmentcontracts.com for more info and help with proposals and certifications. Small Business Certifications are keys that open doors to winning government contracts . Many people don't understand what certifications are, or how they can benefit them in business. Find out in this episode! As always, there will be practical advice, tips for success, and motivation. List...
"Why do Business with the Government?" Revisited 03.10.2024 24:43
The Government market presents the best opportunity for small business growth. Learn why in this podcast. 1. Why Government Contracts Are Your Path to Success Statistics reveal a 48% chance of hitting $1 million in annual sales Real-world success stories: From $150K to $33M and beyond The government market advantage: Reliable payments, preference programs, and more 2. Debunking the Myths: Why Man...
Proposal Writing 3: Executive Summary and Technical Approach 20.08.2024 13:06
In this episode, we dive deep into writing two crucial sections of your government contract proposal – The Executive Summary and Technical Approach. 1. Executive Summary Key components: Tips for addressing agency needs Highlighting key benefits 2. Technical Approach Detailed plan development Addressing RFP requirements Proposing innovative solutions Review and editing process When writing...
Proposal Writing Part 2: Getting Started (and Beyond) 05.08.2024 21:43
Writing government proposals can be intimidating, but with the a common sense, structured approach, you can do it! This episode breaks down the initial steps of proposal writing, offering practical strategies to overcome writer's block and start crafting a winning proposal. Break it down: Learn how to approach proposal writing in manageable steps Free writing technique: A method to overcome...
Proposal Writing Part 1: The Basics 19.07.2024 20:29
Writing government proposals is challenging, but it's essential for winning contracts. This podcast series demystifies the process. We'll cover strategies to help you tackle RFPs effectively and improve your proposal writing skills. Let's get started on your path to writing winning proposals. Crack the RFP code: Learn to dissect and understand government RFPs Master the art of propo...
Mastering Capture Management for Government Contracts 08.07.2024 16:15
Capture Management is a foundational business practice that is as close to a prerequisite to success as you can get. Key Points: Capture Management is crucial for winning government contracts, involving market research, strategic planning, and proposal development The seven key components of Capture Management are: Market Research, Capture Planning, Positioning and Strategy Development, Teaming a...
Why do Business with the Government? 04.07.2024 17:44
Why bother doing business with the Government? It's a foundational question. Surely the red tape isn't worth it. Or is it? Find out in this episode. Key Points: Statistics show that targeting the government market dramatically increases a business's chances of hitting $1 million in annual sales Government contracts offer stability, predictable revenue, and opportunities for gro...
Uderstanding RFPs 01.07.2024 13:18
Mastering Government RFPs Ever felt intimidated by government contracts? In this episode, I break down Request for Proposals (RFPs) into actionable steps that you can follow. Whether you're a seasoned contractor or just starting out, you'll discover insider tips to give your proposals a competitive edge. Key concepts: The anatomy of an RFP: What to look for and how to analyze it effectiv...
Similar podcasts
Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.