Month: April 2021

Judy Bradt: Fierce and Determined Best Selling Author of “Government Contracts Made Easier”

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn from the fierce and determined best-selling author of Government Contracts Made Easier Judy Bradt!

BACKGROUND

Judy Bradt is an expert speaker and author of the Amazon #1 Bestseller “Government Contracts Made Easier.”

She has over 32 years of experience in federal business development and strategy through her past affiliation to the Canadian Embassy as a Trade Commissioner and helping thousands of small and established businesses succeed. 

She also continues to provide the above said services through her company Summit Insights, wherein they provide consulting services for established companies to win government contracts. 

“The biggest lessons I’ve learned over the last 10 years are understanding not just the mechanics, but what happens on the journey to building relationships between humans in the federal arena. And that’s become the core of my practice. That’s what sets what I do apart from everyone else that you’ll talk to.”

3 THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW

1. Celebrate what you earned and what you learned. 

Whatever it is that you went through or you are going through, celebrate it by yourself or with your family.

Take a moment to check what you have experienced this past month or year. Whether it is an accomplishment or failure, reflect on it and celebrate it. 

“One thing I want you to do, is you’re launching your federal 2021, is stand up and celebrate. That’s the first thing.”

2. Do your hotwash.

If you continue spending thousands of dollars over the course of months without even analyzing where that money goes, then it’s most likely that you will be left empty handed the next time you check your pocket.

So, the second thing that you should do is clean up and do your hotwash. Analyze your contracting activities. If you failed to achieve your goal, what made you reach that point? 

“You hit, fall, you clean up the fields. You make things tidy and make things ready for what’s ahead as the fields go quiet. If you’re a gardener, you’re planting bulbs, you’re throwing in pepper over top of the bulbs so the squirrels don’t get them. You’re readying things for the year ahead. And that’s what October, November, December is all about in the natural world, in the natural flow of federal contracting. So, hot wash, then cleaning things up. It’s your after action review.”

3. Give thanks. 

It’s pretty sure that a lot of people have helped you towards where you are right now; so, why not give thanks to their little ways?

Write a thank you note to your employees, to that contracting specialist who helped you with your papers, to the contracting officer who approved your contract, and many others.

Be  natural. Just give thanks. Make it clear what difference they made to you and also to the way you were able to serve their agency. That’s not hard. 

“Remember we talked about their personnel files? Those letters from industry set your people apart from the ones that they’re competing against for promotions. That thank you letter that you write is life-changing. It is career altering in a good way.”

FOCUS, CONNECT, AND WIN!

1. Focus.

The first bucket that you should fill is to focus on what agency you want to serve. This also means that you should understand what they do and what they are looking for. 

2. Connect.

Be in front of the right person with the right message and information at the right time.

“Buck up, be brave, make the call.”

3. Win.

The third bucket is to understand that your first win is not the million dollar or the micro-purchase win, your first win is the fact that they return your phone call or they open your email. 

“Your next win is the conversation where you feel that connection, where you’ve made a difference for them because you’ve talked to that individual, federal human, about a thing that you know matters to them, because you did your research in the focus stage.”

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more from Judy Bradt, the fierce and determined best-selling author of Government Contracts Made Easier, then be sure to click the resources below. You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

079: Judy Bradt – Fierce, Determined and Best Selling Author of Government Contracts Made EasiER

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/079/

079: Fierce, Determined and Best Selling Author of Government Contracts Made Easier!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7cGPtfDks4

Kokolakis Contracting awarded $112.3M contract to construct a cyber instructional facility

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Kokolakis Contracting, Tarpon Springs, Florida, was awarded a $112,376,727 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a cyber instructional facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of March 24, 2024. Fiscal 2021 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $112,376,727 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W912HN-21-C-3003).

J. Kokolakis Contracting, Inc. provides construction services. The Company offers pre-construction consulting, estimating, value engineering, construction management, design-build, general contracting, and building maintenance services. J. Kokolakis Contracting serves the healthcare, education, athletics, aviation, housing, historical, and industrial sectors in the United States. (www.bloomberg.com)

Making A Giant 007: Maria & Miguel Sanchez – Embracing inexperience and ignorance and taking one step at a time

Posted on by Eric Coffie

In this episode we feature Miguel Sanchez. After discovering my videos while living in New York Miguel decides he wants to get into truck delivery providing courier services to the government. After months of no results he decided to switch gears and pursue the consulting route.

In his research he learned that IT was a major marketplace with opportunity galore. I know how some people can see it as intimidating considering the size and scale of the contracts. Not Miguel, he decided that’s exactly where he fit in and went on his journey to find a partner company that was up for the task.

After a few tries he found a partner who was currently doing IT projects but not maximizing their capabilities. With the knowledge he gained working directly with Maria hand in hand he was able to start pursuing some fairly substantial projects.

Without spoiling the rest of the story he ended up landing something major. The part that I want to share with folks is that when you invest in yourself and your education it pays back dividends. If you are sitting on the sideline waiting for all the answers, for some magic bullet to show up, trying for years unsuccessfully maybe it’s time you found a new approach.

Followed a mentor that has been where you’ve been, experienced some of the same setbacks. We showcase these real human stories to give you a sense of what’s possible. But none of this would not have happened if they did not invest in self education.

SOURCES SOUGHT: Defense Health Agency – Medical Facility Operations and Maintenance

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, has been tasked to solicit for and award an Indefinite Delivery Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) for Defense Health Agency (DHA) Medical Facility Operations and Maintenance (O&M). The proposed contract will be a competitive firm-fixed-price contract procured in accordance with FAR Part 15, Negotiated Procurement, using the “Best Value” trade-off process. The type of set-aside decision(s) to be issued will depend upon the responses to this synopsis.

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Other than Small & the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), & Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small businesses, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, & WOSB are highly encouraged to participate.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: Z1DA – MAINTENANCE OF HOSPITALS AND INFIRMARIES
  • NAICS Code: 561210 – Facilities Support Services
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Updated Response Date: Apr 28, 2021 02:00 pm CDT

Full details via beta.sam.gov

govcon giants logo Check out our RESOURCES page for a sample letter that we use in response to government market research.

Dawson Enterprises LLC awarded a $300M contract for design-bid-build construction services

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Dawson Enterprises LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii (W9128A-21-D-0001); Elite Pacific Construction Inc.,* Kaneohe, Hawaii (W9128A-21-D-0002); Insight Pacific LLC,* Brea, California (W9128A-21-D-0003); Nakasato Contracting LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii (W9128A-21-D-0004); Niking Corp.,* Wahiawa, Hawaii (W9128A-21-D-0005); and RORE Inc.,* San Diego, California (W9128A-21-D-0006), will compete for each order of the $300,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design-bid-build construction services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 16, 2028. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

We are located in Massillon, Ohio, and cater mostly to the needs of shooters involved in clay target sports. We are distributors of White Flyer clay targets in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, and New York. We wholesale and retail all popular reloading components, shotgun ammunition, and accessories. We retail Benelli, Beretta, Blaser, Browning, Caesar Guerini, Fabarm, Franchi, Krieghoff, Ljutic, SKB, and a large variety of pre-owned shotguns. We are also vendors at the Grand American World Trapshooting Tournament and at the Cardinal Center events. (https://dawsonent.com/about.html)

SOURCES SOUGHT: 4130 – Abraso-Vac Kit

Posted on by Eric Coffie

DLA Troop Support is researching the possibility of issuing a solicitation for the item under an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract. If an award is made, the resultant award would not exceed a period of five (5) years. The annual estimated quantity for the item is 100 each.

This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation nor is this notice a Request for Proposal (RFP). This notice should NOT be construed as a commitment by DLA Troop Support for any purpose. Submission of any information in response to this market research survey is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. The Government will NOT pay for any information submitted by respondents in response to this Sources Sought Notice. If a solicitation would result, it would be synopsized on the “Contract Opportunities” website at BETA.SAM.gov and it would be the offeror’s responsibility to monitor the Contract Opportunities website for any such notices.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code:
  • NAICS Code: 4130-01-460-8801
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Original Response Date: Apr 27, 2021, 03:00 pm EDT

Full details via beta.sam.gov

govcon logo Check out our RESOURCES page for a sample letter that we use in response to government market research.

United Launch Services LLC awarded $224.2M contracts under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2

Posted on by Eric Coffie

United Launch Services LLC, Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded $224,290,000 in firm-fixed-price task orders under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contract. These task orders provide the basic launch services and mission integration for USSF-112 and USSF-87. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado; and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Fiscal 2021 space procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of the award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-21-F-0011 and FA8811-21-F-0012).

 

United Launch Services, LLC was founded in 2005. The company’s line of business includes manufacturing guided missiles and space vehicles. (www.bloomberg.com)

Brian Henry: Truck Driver turned Successful General Contractor

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Get inspiration from Brian Henry, the former truck driver who built a multi-million general contractor!

BACKGROUND

Brian Henry grew up in Green Cove Springs, North Florida. He is the son of a school teacher who instilled in him that there’s nothing he can’t do if he just put his mind into it. 

Meanwhile, although construction was  not on his agenda, after being laid off in his job as a truck driver, he started in the industry through trucking and shifted to being a general contractor. 

Eventually, he worked his way up in the 8a program and four years later had surpassed the $10 million annual revenue mark.

Currently, Brian Henry’s company, Henry General Contractors, is known for its wide service in providing public construction projects including historic preservation and restoration, demolition, and other commercial and federal works. 

“There’s more opportunities out there. Do more than what you usually do.”

HENRY GENERAL CONTRACTORS

Brian Henry started in 1992 but during that time until 2002, it was still a trucking company. He only shifted to construction when a good friend encouraged him to stop doing trucking and start a construction company. 

“I said to myself, ‘Well, why can’t I build houses? Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I do this in my spare time?’ So, it got to the point where I said, you know, ‘I could do this.’”

He then set out to get his construction supervisor’s license and started taking small projects working on the state level as a minority business enterprise and as a subcontractor for his friend. 

At first, there were only two people in his company. There is another gentleman who was working in the field while he’s in the office doing all the paperworks for the contracts and submittals. 

Then, when their 8a application was approved and they experienced growth during the first three years in the program, he decided to hire more people. Until now, they continue bringing in more good people who could help them grow. 

“One thing about construction is that you don’t have to know everything, but the people in your company have to know. So, at the end of the day, you surround yourself around people that are gonna help you grow.”

ADVICE

1. Go the extra mile. 

Customers want best for them and to gain that response, you need to treat them right and like they’re your only customers, this way, you’re at the top of their list.

“Well, that’s pretty much the one that I live by, and I even tell them, I say, ‘I’m going to treat you like you’re my only customer. You’re not my only customer, but I’m gonna try my best to treat you like you’re my only customer.’ And that’s really— once I put that statement out there, then I have to live up to it.”

2. Market your business.

Marketing is very important. It is the biggest key why other contractors won contracts and others didn’t. So, speak to an agency, introduce yourself, and bring your literature and present it to them. 

“Basically you want to build a relationship because at the end of the day, when the agencies call, they can’t just recommend one contractor, but you definitely want your name thrown in the hat. So, to have that relationship is only beneficial to you, especially if you’re out there making all your customers happy.”

3. Ask for help.

Sometimes when you’re a business owner, you think that you can do more than you can, but when the point comes when you really can’t do it all alone, you need to hire more people. That’s the best strategy, as long as you hire the good ones and the  best fit.

“Let’s be cautious. Let’s be conservative. Let’s just go at this very conservatively. But when the clock ticks and… as the contracts grew, then you can’t do it all. And that’s when I started bringing in people to try to help and assist and really take lead and help grow the business.”

4. Treat your team well. 

Be fair to your employees and treat them the way you want them to treat you. 

“You know, you can’t run off with all the money. At the end of the day, acknowledge people for their accomplishments, acknowledge them, make them feel comfortable. This is a team effort, and let’s just grow and see what we can… see how far we can go. And I have a good group of people and we’re continuously looking for good people.”

6. Help others.

There are a lot of people who helped Brian Henry on his way to success and he wants to give back by helping them or other people who need it as well.

“Don’t be afraid to help someone when you get to the point where you’re able to help someone. It’s one thing I’ve always learned that, you know, there’s many people that have inspired me and helped me to be who I am today.”

RESOURCES

If you want to get more inspiration from Brian Henry, the former truck driver who built a multi-million general contractor, then be sure to click the resources below. You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

078: Brian Henry – Former truck driver builds successful top contractor company

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/078-2/

How did this Truck Driver build a Successful Top Contractor Company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHjHrCIdfS8

 

SOURCES SOUGHT: IT Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services

Posted on by Eric Coffie

This is a notice to the public concerning the release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the OPTIMA requirement to GSA Alliant 2 vendors (unrestricted). The RFP was released to GSA Alliant 2 vendors on March 26, 2021. This Sources Sought notice has been amended to provide the industry with the TSA’s updated projected high-level milestones for this procurement.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: DD01 – IT AND TELECOM – SERVICE DELIVERY SUPPORT SERVICES: ITSM, OPERATIONS CENTER, PROJECT/PM (LABOR)
  • NAICS Code: 541513 – Computer Facilities Management Services
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Updated Response Date: Apr 30, 2021 04:00 pm EDT

Full details via beta.sam.gov

govcon logo Check out our RESOURCES page for a sample letter that we use in response to government market research.

087: Emily Harman – Diving deep into emotions, mindset, and positive intelligence as a government contractor and entrepreneur

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Today’s interview, we talk about something very different. Emily Harman, has 38 years of service to the country as both a Naval Officer and civilian federal employee. Working hard and ultimately, retiring as a member of the Senior Executive Service in May 2019, the equivalent of a two star Admiral.

In her retirement, Emily did the inner work and learned a very valuable tool: listening to the guidance of her inner voice and her authentic self, to create a roadmap for an authentic and fulfilling life. In this episode, we talked about several things about mindset, finding your niche, discovering what you really want and the importance of positive intelligence.

Many of us are interested in only hearing the tactics and the technicalities in government contracting but it is really the mindset that we must first master before we can truly realize our authentic self and eventually pave our way into the ocean of opportunity that the government contracting has to offer.