Calvin J Mitchell Jr CFCM

I wonder if we were to unpack the portfolio of contracts within our Primes, what percentage of their contracts are standard government contracts vs Commercial Contracts? What % of their revenue is spread across the different contract types? How does that differ from a company like Palantir (defense first, dual-use) compared to L3Harris? This feels like a 4D chess move by Shyam Sankar who can continuously improve his product in the commercial sector and prove out the business fundamentals compared to a much heavier defense revenue prime like L3. Intuition tells me that L3Harris abandoning Cost Plus isn’t a thing. My guess is that some of their business units wouldn’t survive without it, where as Palantir can hedge most bets with its commercial viability.

6

I was thrilled to learn that the U.S. Department of State plans to establish three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (#FFRDCs): public-private partnerships that conduct innovative R&D for their USG sponsors on topics that cannot be effectively met by the government or the private sector alone. FFRDCs are required to have a long-term strategic relationship with the agency that supports them, allowing the FFRDC to recruit and retain scientific and technical expertise, conduct R&D to meet the needs of the sponsoring agency; and offer independent scientific and technical advice. From my days as an FSO at State and as a consultant on national security and technology for the past five years, I’ve strongly advocated for State to join its Executive Branch brethren – Commerce, NIST, DOD, NSA, Energy, HHS, DHS, NIH, Treasury, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, NASA, NSF, the Social Security Administration, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission – in establishing an FFRDC. This was a recommendation I encouraged the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence to include in its 2021 Final Report to the White House and Congress, so it’s heartening to see State finally proceed.  Better late than never! State wants to create three FFRDCs to conduct R&D on: (1) Operational support for acquisition planning and development for new technologies; and operational analysis to identify institutional and capability gaps and how to fill them; (2) Emerging threats, concept exploration, and experimentation and evaluation, developing new concepts, models, prototypes, and proof-of-concept demonstrations, and test-beds, and (3) #IT and #Cyber Operations. I hope this important step, when implemented, will facilitate two more steps that State should take to be a global leader on technology for diplomacy for the rest of the 21st century: (1) Establish an in-house “Technology for Diplomacy” R&D lab that builds off of the FFRDC's work, to conduct internal R&D, prototyping, scaling, and deploying of #AI and other emerging technologies that empower American diplomats, and (2) Fund "Small Business Innovation Research" (#SBIR) Grants to leverage the innovative and entrepreneurial talents of U.S. small technology companies to offer their own innovative tech ideas to bolster US diplomacy and build a private sector constituency for the State Department in America’s vibrant tech startup ecosystems. All of this in due time. The immediate next step is for innovation stakeholders (like FedTech) to give feedback on the proposed scope of the work to be performed by the FFRDCs and on already-existing capabilities in these areas that the Department should consider. Exciting to see State make a long-term commitment to #innovation #technology #entrepreneurism #startups #diplomacy #natsec #leadership.

68

3 Comments

Want to land Government contracts? 🎯 The CMC GovCon Taskforce host several workshops that discuss the ins and outs of government contracting. From bidding strategies to contract requirements, our experts always share invaluable insights. CMC and Military Affairs Committee Member, Taylor Aune with Edward Jones! Connect with Central Maryland Chamber to learn more and explore more government contracting opportunities. #GovCon #FortMeade #BusinessOpportunities #GovernmentContracts #SmallBusiness #CMC

4

The U.S. Department of State continues to conduct market research around the need to establish a Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDC). Link on sam.gov: https://lnkd.in/e5eVfVZ5 The Department received industry comments and is seeking additional input on the draft Scope of Services document in the RFI. All comments received in response to the Federal Register notices will be addressed by a supplemental fourth Federal Register notice in the near future. Responses due Oct 02, 2024 05:00 pm EDT #govcon #research #diplomacy #IT #innovation #modernization

26

3 Comments

In case you missed it, attached is a letter led by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response questioning the decision-making and mismanagement of contracts issued by the Strategic National Stockpile. The contracts in question revolve around the procurement of oseltamivir, which generic companies like Cipla USA could provide at a much-reduced price than the brand name version; a very questionable service contract to manage the national capital region warehouse; and a questionable award for the procurement of disposable gowns at a pricepoint much higher than what anyone could purchase through various online retailers. While many of us are out there advocating for increased resources for both the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Strategic National Stockpile to prepare for an eventual emergency, it makes our job more difficult when mismanagment of current resources occur. We can do better. #pandemic #preparedness Securing America's Medicines and Supply

8

3 Comments

All organizations experience change. The federal government is no different. Read the new Guidehouse Defense and Security article, Managing Change Fatigue in the Federal Workforce, presenting recommendations for agencies to produce better outcomes and results in the midst of complex workforce challenges: https://lnkd.in/eTQyA4KE.

3

What the Heck is a GSA Schedule? Explained Simply In 1949, President Harry Truman established the General Services Administration (GSA) to streamline the acquisition process for the federal government. GSA is the acquisition arm of the federal government that helps connect commercial entities with federal government contracts and federal procurement opportunities. GSA is one of the few self-funded agencies of the federal government, meaning it uses the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) to generate funds, and continues to operate even during government shutdowns and times of economic uncertainty.GSA has evolved significantly since its creation, and now manages government building real estate, federal procurement, and develops several government policies and regulations. GSA also plays a key role in helping the presidential transition https://is.gd/GfCd8H #ContractingwithGSA #FederalContracting #FederalGovernmentContracts #GovernmentProcurement #GSAContractOpportunities #GSASchedule #SimplifiedGSASchedule

2

Drive efficiency. Maximize results. Our GSA and FedMall expertise ensures smooth procurement processes for your DOD and federal needs. With a focus on compliance and value, we streamline sourcing from initial contract negotiation to final delivery. Our commitment to excellence means you can navigate federal procurement confidently, knowing your requirements are met with precision and reliability. #FederalProcurement #GovernmentContracts #ComplianceExcellence #ProcurementEfficiency #ContractNegotiation #ValueDriven #ReliableSourcing #DefenseContracts #GovernmentSuppliers #ProcurementStrategy #EfficientSourcing #ExcellenceInProcurement

2

🎙️ New FEDtalk Episode: What the Presidential Transition Means for Federal Contracting! 🎙️ catch the full episode at: https://lnkd.in/dGgeuV4S Get ready for an insightful discussion as host Jason Briefel interviews Troy Cribb, Director of Policy at the Partnership for Public Service, on the impact of the upcoming presidential transition on the federal acquisition workforce and contractors. 📝 In this episode, Troy Cribb shares valuable insights from her experiences working at the General Services Administration (GSA) and in government, highlighting the critical role of procurement and contracting during a transition period. The conversation dives into:    🔑 Key dates and deadlines that agencies need to know   📑 The importance of preparing briefing materials for incoming teams   💼 How the transition impacts GovCon, contracting priorities, and industry spending   ⚖️ Compliance essentials for preventing waste, fraud, and abuse With the presidential transition fast approaching, agencies and the acquisition workforce must stay informed to ensure a smooth and efficient handover. 🎯 Key Takeaways:   1️⃣ Agencies have been prepping for months, guided by senior career staff and the Federal Transition Coordinator at GSA.   2️⃣ The acquisition workforce must be aware of potential shifts in priorities and contracting opportunities.   3️⃣ The Partnership for Public Service offers resources to support the transition for federal agencies and appointees. 👉 Tune in now to get the full story and understand what’s ahead for federal contracts and procurement during the transition! #FEDtalk #PresidentialTransition #FederalAcquisition #Procurement #Contracting #GovCon #Government #GSA #PublicService #TransitionPrep #FederalWorkforce

3

Overwhelmed by lengthy ATO timelines and mountains of paperwork? Ask Sage, Inc. is here to help! Join the conversation on July 16th to hear about their revolutionary ATO In a Box solution, powered by Generative AI: https://lnkd.in/eCxw9zB8

3

📅 Mark your calendar! Join us on July 12 for the GSA OSDBU webinar, “How to Develop a Subcontracting Plan.” This session is designed to help #smallbusinesses understand the key components of creating an effective subcontracting plan. Learn best practices, compliance requirements, and strategies to maximize your success in federal contracting. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to enhance your subcontracting knowledge and boost your business potential. 📌 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e4ZdkcMD #SmallBusiness #GSAOSDBU #Subcontracting #FederalContracting #BusinessGrowth #Webinar #LearnAndGrow #BusinessDevelopment #RegisterNow #ContractingSuccess

46

Measure what matters?!?! 🤷‍♀️ Guess we’re tracking butts in seats, ID card swipes and occupancy rates as a metric for how we deliver our promise to the citizens of our great nation ⭐️ #federalgovernment #federalworkforce #telework #remotework #hybridwork #work #workflexibility #KPI #OKR #performance #productivity #office #measurewhatmatters

6

3 Comments

What the heck is a GSA Schedule? A Beginner’s Guide The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, also known as a GSA Schedule, is a federal contracting program that allows government agencies to streamline their purchasing of commercial products and services. The GSA MAS program provides a list of pre-qualified vendors with pre-negotiated pricing, making it easier for agencies to find and purchase the goods and services they need. Obtaining a GSA Schedule contract can be a complex process, but it offers significant benefits for vendors, including access to a vast federal procurement marketplace and simplified government sales. This Beginner's Guide will provide an overview of the GSA Schedule program, including the types of products and services offered, the requirements for becoming a GSA Schedule vendor, and the steps to obtain a GSA Schedule contract.Introduction to GSA SchedulesThe General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules, also known as the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) https://is.gd/qexypH

1

It was great to be at Workforce Development Day at this year's Hack the Capitol! Thank you to Ron Gula for opening the event and to National Security Director Harry Coker, Jr. for his keynote remarks. To echo Director Coker, it will take all of us to address the new generation of threats that put the country’s critical infrastructure at risk. And with the emergence of AI it’s crucial that we stay ahead of this complex and evolving threat landscape. A strong cyber community is essential to our national security.  A shout-out to everyone who turned out for Workforce Development Day especially Kirsten Renner, Thomas VanNorman, CISSP, GICSP and Bryson Bort who helped organize the event with the incredible team at Accenture Federal Services. Your engagement is building a resilient cyber community, and enhancing our national security, one skilled professional at a time. Special thanks to ICS VILLAGE for their dedication to bringing together public sector, private sector, and non-profits to create more cyber career pathways through apprenticeships and upskilling programs. And to CISA, Idaho National Laboratory, GRIMM Cyber, and the Quantico Cyber Bridge Initiative for running the ICS 101 training, Escape Rooms, and Cyber Ranges during the event. Let's keep pushing forward to defend and protect our nation's vital assets. #HackTheCapitol #ICSVillage #CyberSecurity #WorkforceDevelopment #NationalSecurity #AFS #INL #CISA #INL #GrimmCyber #criticalinfrastructure

206

4 Comments

"Business Development" and "Capture" and why the distinction between the two activities matters has been a recurring theme for clients lately. Being intentional about growth strategy and tactics is a big part of achieving success.

10

2 Comments