Using AI in GovCon: Practical Lessons, My Journey, and an Open Invitation

Artificial intelligence has been talked about for decades on how it would revolutionize human life and society. I was obviously intrigued, yet skeptical, when I began studying Generative AI in 2021. Even as I began experimenting with it in those early days, I often felt underwhelmed by its nascent capabilities. Does anyone even remember when […]

Growth in the Face of the Ever-Extended GWAC Timeline

Over the last 3-4 months, I’ve had countless conversations on the current state of affairs for GWACs and multi-award IDIQs. This of course included contracts such as NIH CIO-SP4 and GSA Polaris but also GSA OASIS+, VA T4NG2, and future GWACs such as NASA SEWP VI. These discussions included questions on how agencies are evolving […]

Growth Strategy in GovCon: Part 3 – Obstacles to Growth

In Part 1 of this 3-part series on growth strategy in GovCon, I discussed the various stages of growth in the GovCon market and the investments and decisions that small business leaders need to make to grow their company. In Part 2, I discussed characteristics of successful business leaders and owners and what executives can do […]

Growth Strategy in GovCon: Part 2 – Characteristics of Successful Business Leaders

In Part 1, I discussed the various stages of growth in the GovCon market and the investments and decisions that small business leaders need to make to grow their company. While these investments and decisions help to establish a roadmap for growth, more is required for GovCon success. Through Red Team Consulting’s 17 years supporting […]

Growth Strategy in GovCon: Part 1 – How to Position Yourself for Growth

There is no fool proof way to grow a successful government contracting firm. While some company leaders might vouch for a specific method for growth, they may only be speaking about their own experience, informed by their circumstances, their available resources, and the luck they encountered on the way to growing their company. While there […]

CIO-SP4 Amendment 9: Deep Thoughts and Practical Tips

So here we are—Amendment 9 for CIO-SP4 and the updated proposal submission date of August 20th. Before I state the obvious regarding the dramatic twists and turns on this procurement, let me say a few words to share our personal thoughts on this journey. We feel your pain. We know this entire process has been […]

Does CIO-SP4 Amendment 6 Impact Teaming (Again)?

I want to make sure everyone reads our assessment of the latest Amendment 6 from NITAAC for NIH CIO-SP4. In addition to this summary, my colleague, Tris Carpenter, shared his interpretation of NITAAC’s update on the Mentor Protege Joint Venture (MPJV) experience now allowing two examples. As you might have seen from the recent protest […]

What’s in Store for GSA’s Next Generation Small Business GWAC?

Last week, Jeff Shen attended a webinar on how General Services Administration (GSA) can work to improve future small business governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWAC). Attendees had the opportunity to learn about GSA’s vision for providing opportunities for small businesses and state-of-the-art IT solutions for federal agencies through next-generation GWACs. Below, Jeff provides a summary of […]

What Do Contracting Officers Really Think About the FAR?

Ever wonder what a contracting officer or procurement executive thinks about when deciding between using IDIQs (FAR part 16), GSA Schedules (FAR part 8), and Negotiated Acquisitions (FAR part 15)?  Well, we asked, and this is what we learned… On July 29, Jeff Shen presented on the topic, “FAR Part 8 vs 15 vs 16: […]

Conducting Business Development & Capture in a Virtual World