“THE HILL” “Washington mans the big alliances, guards against pirates, fills peacekeeping missions, confronts emerging powers, garrisons defeated states, rebuilds failed societies, hunts down insurgents, promotes development and spreads democracy. U.S. must set priorities and focus on those tasks which are essential.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “In its early years, the American republic possessed only a small standing mili

Vermillion River Valley - Hastings, Minnesota https://www.flickr.com/photos/odysseyof_armaments/54911360656/in/dateposted-public/

“FEDERAL TIMES” By Terry Hill “Veteran-owned businesses are a vital part of the U.S. economy, making up approximately 6% of all businesses, employing nearly four million workers and contributing over $177 billion in annual payroll to the U.S. economy . Despite this impact, many face unique business challenges, particularly when it comes to accessing the capital needed to grow. For veterans looking to start or grow a business, the right capital setup is key to unlocking your

“ SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “Small Businesses typically have a learning experience growing into government services contracting. Part of that process is undergoing reviews by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). It takes knowledge of the requirements and strategic focus to set up the type of business processes required for accommodating government contract job cost accounting and fit those processes into the way your company does business.” _____________________________

“DEFENSE OPINION” By Jeannine Kunz “Southern California’s manufacturing sector has a planned path forward — accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies that modernize factories, improve productivity and sharpen global competitiveness.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “California may be most linked with the original Gold Rush. But it also experienced a “Second Gold Rush” nearly a century later, when the population and

Integrate Long-term Company Strategy With Short Term Proposal Pricing Objectives ‘SMALTOFEDS’ By Ken Larson “ Small businesses entering or growing into federal contacting often struggle with developing a pricing approach. They must design a pricing structure to pass an audit and win competitively. A winning strategy for federal services contracting must involve a view of the horizon as well as the instant bid on the table. “ __________________________________________________

“NATIONAL DEFENSE MAGAZINE” By Tyler Sweatt “The urgency for agility in defense technology isn’t just about speed or efficiency — it’s about fostering a robust and vibrant ecosystem that can adapt to evolving threats and capitalize on emerging opportunities.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “Here are some transformative remedies essential for cultivating such an ecosystem within the Defense Department. The first remedy, “comme

“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “Small business must grow into federal government classified programs. Individual and company clearance designations exist at various levels, depending on the relative risk to national security if unauthorized disclosure occurs.” _________________________________________________________________________________ “While exploring the federal government marketplace the small business will encounter programs and potential contracts that involve securit

“ WAR ON THE ROCKS” By Christphopher Preble “Americans today enjoy a measure of safety that our ancestors would envy and that our contemporaries do envy. We generally do not need to wage war to keep it that way. On the contrary, some recent wars have degraded the U.S. military and undermined our security. Policymakers should therefore be extremely reluctant to risk American lives abroad.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “The U

Vermillion River Trail - Hastings, Minnesota (click the link and then the pic for close-up view) https://www.flickr.com/photos/odysseyof_armaments/54896320263/in/dateposted-public/

“U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS” “The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans — and their survivors — with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. What does it mean to have a presumptive condition for toxic exposure?” _______________________________________________________________________________ “The PACT Act is perhaps the l

“SMALL TO FEDS” By Ken Larson “Utilize social media to promote your small business. The process requires a front-end loaded investment in time, but it is well worth the effort when using free or very low cost utilities on the Internet. The return may surprise you. Set up a free Google or Word Press blog as an extension of your web site. A blog is quite different from a web site. Provide good, solid information free of charge and use blog searches for synergistic business tea

“WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY” By Nick Wakeman “The latest changes to Part 15 eliminate deviation requirements, allowing contracting officers to structure deals without senior-level approvals.” ________________________________________________________________________________ “The General Services Administration is foot-stomping one of the main goals of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul: give more flexibility and authority to contracting officers. Jeffrey Koses, GSA’s senior procurement

“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “Start-ups, entrepreneurs and new small businesses regularly seek information regarding small business grants. There are many misconceptions about the nature of such instruments, who qualifies for them and what constitutes a small business grant. Other than the special circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic, there is generally no such thing as “Free” small business government grant money. In many instances individuals seeking grants should

“NEXTGOV/FCW” By Nick Wakeman Editor-in-Chief, Washington Technology “Contractors have 30 days after work resumes to file for equitable adjustments, but the accounting and documentation must start now.” _________________________________________________________________________________ “As the government shutdown [continues] contractors need to track the impact on their business and that starts with understanding of what the guiding laws and regulations are. A government shutdo

“ SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “Comparing small business federal government contracting to selling commercial products and services may be useful for those who are considering melding commercial and federal government business or starting an enterprise involving both venues”. ______________________________________________________________________________ “WHAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING IS – AND IS NOT Small business federal government contracting is not rocket science – to

“NATIONAL DEFENSE MAGAZINE “ By P.W. Singer and Emerson T. Brooking “A comparatively tiny physical conflict, fought in an area the size of Portland, Oregon, became a global engagement, prompting the exchange of more than 10 million heated messages on Twitter alone. The lesson was clear: Not only did modern war require a well-planned military campaign. It required a viral marketing campaign as well… “ ___________________________________________________________________________

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If companies to which you are applying are doing business with the Federal Government, they must abide by the law with regard to hiring protected veterans and report statistics on their compliance. Application data regarding protected veterans is tracked. ________________________________________________________________________________ “DEPARTMENT OF LABOR” “The law, sometimes referred to as VEVRAA or Section 4212, requires employers doing business with the Federal government

“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson “Regularly review your company labor category rates and fringe benefits for ongoing compliance with DOL Area Wage Determinations. Sample the DOL Wage Determination web site regularly as a normal function of maintaining your labor rates and fringe benefits costs.” ____________________________________________________________________________ MANAGING COMPLIANCE WITH THE SERVICE CONTRACT AND DAVIS-BACON ACTS When pricing government contracts, in partic