“The 2026 NDAA continues the push towards commercial-first acquisition and eliminates multiple compliance hurdles and barriers to entry. Its changes should prompt commercial companies to consider future defense opportunities.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY” By Jeremy D. Burkhart “The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act continues the push to accelerate defense acquisition, expand the industrial bas
“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “ Infrastructure funding, world events and the fast pace of technology are venues in which federal funding programs are enacted, grown and made part of the culture. They are on the way. There will be dramatic roles for small business. Considering the principal unique aspects of federal government contracting will yield a successful plan and more importantly a successful execution of that plan in the Federal Government Market.” __________________
“TASK AND PURPOSE” By Joe Plenzler “At retirement he talked of wars sold to the American public based on false information and the minimization of the many strategic failures of senior political and military leaders, maintaining his men fought, killed, bled, and died more to shore up the profits of Wall Street than to defend the United States from foreign invaders. ” ________________________________________________________________________________ “The Medal of Honor, our n
“MILITARY TIMES” By: Senator Tammy Duckworth “Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act allows veteran small business owners to acquire those pieces of equipment and personal property that the federal government no longer has any use for, effectively free of charge.” ______________________________________________________________________________ “Scattered in warehouses throughout the country are the kinds of federal resources that can help make small businesses thrive — laptops
“WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY” By Nick Wakeman “The 2026 NDAA will allow DOD to withhold up to 5% of payments under the incumbent contract while a protest is being heard at the GAO to counter incumbents protesting a loss to extend their time and revenue from the contract.” _______________________________________________________________________________ “The federal market inched a little closer to a “loser pays” setup for bid protests in the recently-signed 2026 National Defense Auth
“WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY” By Mike Lisagor and Lou Kerestesy “Key personnel are often (and should be) one of the top evaluation criteria in a services solicitation. They are even more important on bids that require oral presentations. This is critical if you are a small company going up against larger companies with the ability and resources to write more outstanding proposals. In other words, a few solid key personnel who are liked by the client can seize the day.” __________
“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “During the course of marketing to the federal government the small business will encounter opportunities involving potential for acquiring an incumbent work force as an element of winning a contract. The acquisition of existing personnel already performing on a service contract is a way to exponentially grow a small enterprise. “ ________________________________________________________________________________ “We have previously discussed plann
“ WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY” By Ezekiel Russell “Contracting officers are being given more latitude to make procurement decisions in the name of agility and speed. Our reaction should be to understand CO’s pressures, incentives and options and then strategically align our interests with theirs.” _______________________________________________________________________________ “It’s true: the 8(a) program seems to be dying of a thousand cuts. All 8(a) firms are treated as suspects o
“SMALL TO FEDS” By Ken larson “Most small businesses, particularly those selling services, will encounter the need to team with industry partners in small business federal government contracting. Be prepared for challenges and the risks. Exclusivity is the practical way to go on any given program. Team early and exclusively by opportunity, then give it your all and be a winner. Your reputation is key, ethics count and your customers as well as your industry are observing you.
Military pay raises have been minimal, recruiting has been a challenge in the services. How do we acquire, train and retain what we need? Reserves and National Guard involve long term multiple deployments with no assurance of a future for those who return. What is the mix of technology and manpower required to fight today’s wars? The following are 3 perspectives from experts: Can YOU answer the Citizen’s Question at the end of this article? __________________________________
The defense industry in America has utilized the threat of war and self-fulfilling prophesies to promote engagements by our country in several countries in the last 65 years. From Vietnam to the Balkans, from Iraq to Afghanistan, from Ukraine to Gaza and now Venezuela, many of the largest defense companies have paid more in lobbying costs each year than they pay in taxes. __________________________________________________________________________________ There have been two ma
“MILITARY TIMES” “Veterans are 45 percent more likely than non-veterans to start a small business.Today , veterans own 2.52 million small businesses — nearly 1 in every 10 — while employing 6 million Americans and generating $1.14 trillion in receipts. “ _______________________________________________________________________________ “As an estimated 200,000 service members transition from the military every year, the Small Business Administration knows how imperative it is to
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY – BY Beth Reece “The DLA Mentor-Protégé Program incentivizes successful DLA prime contractors to provide developmental assistance to small businesses. Protégés don’t need prior government experience. DOD approves agreements before awarding them.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “The Defense Logistics Agency’s Office of Small Business Programs [has] a new way to help small vendors expand their capabiliti
“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “In dealing with government officials the small business owner must be aware of regulations regarding procurement integrity. This body of law has come into being through trial and error in dealing with conflict of interest and undue influence by industry on government officials and vice versa.” _______________________________________________________________________________ “ FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION 3.104 The section of the Federal Acquisiti
1. It is easy to become established in the federal marketplace by founding a start up in small business contracting to the federal government Very few do so. The principle reason for this is lack of past performance records either commercially or as a registered government contractor. Past performance is a major factor in awarding government contracts: The Small Business Federal Government Contracting Past Performance Challenge Small enterprises who succeed in federal govern
“WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY” By Robert Smith, Former Director, Navy SBIR/STTR Programs “ A proposed change to the SBIR program would deprive the military of some of its best problem-solvers. Put simply, punishing multiple award winners for their successful track record would be disastrous for our efforts to develop and field new technologies as we are struggling to outpace our adversaries .” ________________________________________________________________________________ “One of t
“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “Focused and direct, your CAPE must be informative, concise and a snapshot of the very best you can offer.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “Federal government contracting is all about relationship development. Marketing to influential agency personnel, industry partners, prospective team members, employees, associate contractors and others who can help you requires a hard hitting synopsis of what
The defense industry in America has utilized the threat of war and self-fulfilling prophesies to promote engagements by our country in several countries in the last 65 years. From Vietnam to the Balkans, from Iraq to Afghanistan, from Ukraine to Gaza and now Venezuela, many of the largest defense companies have paid more in lobbying costs each year than they pay in taxes. _________________________________________________________________________________ There have been two maj
