Month: May 2021

SOURCES SOUGHT: US National Sectéra vIPer Universal Secure Phone

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Based on the responses to these sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition, and multiple awards may be made for US National Sectéra vIPer. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified, as detailed in Appendix 1, are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by May 19, 2021.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code:
  • NAICS Code: 541519 – Other Computer Related Services
  • Place of Performance:  Albuquerque, NM 87185 USA
  • Original Response Date: May 27, 2021, 12:00 pm MDT
  • 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.

Narjis Ali: Pakistani Immigrant turned award-winning IT security company

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn how Narjis Ali, a Pakistani immigrant, built an award-winning IT security company!

BACKGROUND

Narjis Ali fled from Pakistan to the United States alone, before being followed by her three children. 

She then founded Sure Secure Solutions in 2004 to optimize the IT atmosphere and to provide information and security to the government and the private sector.

Today, the company is known as an Information Technology security company providing services including cloud computing, web development, cybersecurity, content and information management, and data analytics. 

Due to all of her hard work, Narjis Ali received numerous awards dating back in 2012, including the 2016 SBA Small Business of the Year award, the 2016 and 2017 NASA Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year, and the 2017 Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year at NASA HQ and NSSC. 

Apart from managing her company as the President and CEO, she is also doing volunteer work and is helping organizations across the globe in promoting entrepreneurship.

“I think that diversity adds so much more weight… You’re walking, talking ambassadors of your people and you become good examples of where you are and where you’ve been. I think that’s so important to me to hear people’s stories from, coming from different backgrounds.”

NAVIGATING THE FEDERAL MARKETPLACE

When Narjis Ali immigrated to the U.S., she needed to start her life all over again. She worked in companies related and unrelated to software programming and development and architecture.

Then, after a couple of years fearing the unknown, she started her own company. It took her awhile, but when she hired more employees, that’s when it dawned on her that she had a company.

In 2010, that’s when she made a strategic change to her company. She brought in more partners to get diverse skills in the company.  

One key person was the late John Michael Lounge, a former astronaut, who played a role in helping her with the company’s business development.

She also joined the 8(a) program that same year and was approved on February 8, 2011. 

However, navigating the federal marketplace is different and because she didn’t have much resources and knowledge, she faced difficult challenges at that time.

“For anyone starting your business with the intent to work with the government, it’s a whole different world. I mean, you have to know and you have to know how to navigate through the system.”

Fortunately, she was able to gain success in the following years and was able to learn how to navigate the federal market. 

“The advantage I had was, which I feel till today, is the relationships that I’ve built with my customers. When I say customers, it just doesn’t mean the customer who you’re selling the product or services to. I’m talking about customers in the way of the environment that allows you to be there and create those relationships with coworkers, colleagues, other companies, and the customer.”

ADVICE FOR SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESSES

1. Have familiarity with your target customers. 

Not all opportunities are meant for your company. Some of these are in your domain and some aren’t, so you need to learn how to filter these opportunities and focus mainly on where you want to be. 

This way, you will be able to really learn about what your customers need and place your company in a position where you are seen as knowledgeable. 

“It’s very important to filter out very quickly where you want to focus. It’s better to focus on a few agencies and be persistent and get to know that very well.”

2. Sit on the backseat.

As company owners, you want to really be the one to lead your company in everything it does, but you should not be the one doing it directly. Learn to sit on the backseat and see what’s happening. 

“Almost six years of my 8(a), I was a billable resource… But you know what it took away from me… is that you’ll have to sit on a back seat where you have limited interaction. You do have interaction with customers, but, you know, you don’t spend all your time there because you will not be able to grow the company that way.”

3. Find a resource with technical capabilities.

In building your company, you need good people with technical skills and expertise. You don’t have to be the one facing your customers all the time, you can hire good people to do it instead. 

“There have been times in my company where we’ve had to cut back on management expenses so much and yet we want to keep the people that are providing good value to us so that they can stick around… We feel that these are people that are the most valuable resources the company has.”

2. Be proactive in helping others.

There’s a handful of resources where people can learn about government contracts, but the best resources are the people who have already been in the marketplace for years.

“I would say, just work with a lot of other companies that have gone through things and find out what worked for them, what didn’t, because those lessons are not recorded anywhere.”

So, if you are the latter, why not help new companies? Be a good resource and help them learn how to navigate this lucrative marketplace. 

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about Narjis Ali, the Pakistani immigrant who built an award-winning IT security company, then check the resources below.

You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

001: Narjis Ali launched a NASA award winning IT security company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIy1d2r0xBI&t=551s

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/2019/05/07/01-2/

Salus Medical Products LLC awarded $100M contract for radiology systems, accessories and training

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Salus Medical Products LLC,* Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm‐fixed‐price, indefinite‐delivery/indefinite‐quantity contract for radiology systems, accessories, and training. This was a competitive acquisition with 50 responses received. This is a five-year base contract with one five‐year option period. The location of performance is Indiana, with April 14, 2026, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. The type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D1‐21‐D‐0006).

Salus Medical Products LLC was founded in 2015. The company’s line of business includes providing management consulting services. (www.bloomberg.com)

091: Roberta Moore – Learning from the reality of failures, challenges, & difficult moments that shaped her character

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Today’s show is part 2 of a two part series with Roberta Moore. She had so many stories to share that we could not get the all into one single episode.

For those of you who do not know, Ms. Moore began her career as a DoD civil servant for 10 years before opening her business, Amoorer Inc. embarked on her government contracting journey, providing healthcare staffing services back in 2002. She graduated from the 8a program in 2014 but prior to that was part of a group of business owners who all spun out of the same company. Presently that group have all started federal government contracting businesses.

The reason why I decided to bring Roberta back on the show was because she did not get into the details of some of her failure stories. I wanted her to fully explain some of the difficult moments during her journey.

So in this interview we dive right into some of the challenging times stories that seams like its from out of a book. More soap opera and drama, but very real because it involves the harsh reality that one can face when hiring friends and not the best candidate.

We are all growing our companies, and for that reason can learn life lessons from a variety of stories. This interview I believe will help someone make more sound decisions when growing out their team. I hope that you enjoy this episode with our next Giant, Ms. Roberta Moore.

SOURCES SOUGHT: SOF Enterprise Professional Services (SEPS)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

This Request for Information (RFI) is for Market Research purposes only and shall not be considered as an invitation for bid, request for quotation, request for proposal, or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice do not offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No contract awards will be made from this notice and no solicitation is available at this time. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or the Government’s use of such information.

The acquisition of services will be in support of the SOF Enterprise Professional Services (SEPS) acquisition, which will focus on acquiring Knowledge-Based Services, as defined by the Department of Defense taxonomy for the acquisition of services. This Acquisition will be a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-aside. A USSOCOM single award IDIQ contract for current similar services, SOCOM Wide Mission Support, Group C (SWMS-C), will be ending January 30, 2022, and it is the Government’s intent to extend the current contract through July 31, 2022.

  • Original Set Aside: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)
  • Product Service Code: R499 – SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER
  • NAICS Code: 541611 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
  • Place of Performance: Tampa, FL 33621 USA
  • Original Response Date: Jun 03, 2021, 11:00 am 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.

Raytheon Technologies awarded $88.8M contract under solicitation SPE7MX-20-R-0130 for various consumable electronic components

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Raytheon Technologies, Fairdale, Kentucky (SPE7MX-21-D-0057, $88,800,000); and Raytheon Technologies, Indianapolis, Indiana (SPE7MX-21-D-0058, $24,000,000), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE7MX-20-R-0130 for various consumable electronic components. These were sole-source acquisitions using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. They are three-year base contracts with one three-year option period and one four-year option period. Locations of performance are Kentucky and Indiana, with April 1, 2024, ordering period end date. Using customers are Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, and foreign military services worldwide. The type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2024 defense working capital funds and foreign military sales. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio. (Awarded April 1, 2021)

Raytheon Technologies Corporation operates as an aircraft manufacturing company. The Company focuses on technology offerings and engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions such as aerostructures, avionics, interiors, mechanical systems, mission systems, aircraft engines, power and control systems, radars, software, and other products. (www.bloomberg.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Industry Day for the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Industry Day will consist of a consolidated main session (Day 1) on 15 June 2021 with all interested industry participants. At the conclusion of the main session, interested industry participants will be provided a tour of the NSWC PHD Surface Weapons Engineering Facility (SWEF) to provide the industry with an opportunity to view MK 41 VLS equipment and discuss technical questions with NSWC PHD MK 41 VLS Subject Matter Experts.

Day 2 (16 June) and Day 3 (17 June) of the Industry Day will be reserved for one-on-one splinter meetings with interested industry participants. The request to register for a one-on-one session with Government representatives should be included with the Industry RSVP requirements cited below. The Government will notify industry participants of the one-on-one session schedule by 01 June 2021.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: 1440 – LAUNCHERS, GUIDED MISSILE
  • NAICS Code: 336415 – Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance: Port Hueneme, CA 93043 USA
  • Updated Response Date: May 27, 2021 11:59 pm EDT
  • 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.

 

MasterMind Monday: Get in Front of Your Federal Buyer and Win!

Posted on by Eric Coffie

In this blog, we list our new MasterMind Monday highlights for you to get in front of your federal buyer and “win” in your meeting!

SET YOUR GOALS THIS 2021!

As the year 2021 starts, it’s also best to set your goals as early as now.

Also, aside from just wishing it on the stars, write these down and increase your odds of success.

You can write it on your notebook, on your phone, and anywhere else where you can see it. 

Also, if you think you need to change something in your goal, then you are free to change things. You can restructure it depending on your preference. Just be committed about what you’re doing and keep all your goals in mind. 

“When we start to process this stuff in our mind, we make a shift and we look at what we’re doing and we start doing things a little bit differently to create the lanes and the pathways, so these things can happen.”

LOOK AT CURRENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Be your own pundit. Do your own detective work and make a guess. What do you think is gonna happen in your marketplace?

Consider what President Joe Biden said:

“Remember, our future cannot depend on the government alone. The ultimate solutions lie in the attitudes and the actions of the American people.”

This is where government contractors play a tremendous role. If you have seen the inauguration, the organizations that provided the scaffolding and helped in everything in the inauguration were government contractors. 

We ushered in that change too. We, as a community, were represented right there on that stage, whether it was your company specifically or not.

In terms of the new administration, remember that everyone is also trying to figure everything out. So, while new appointees are figuring certain rules and regulations that might matter to you, do your own research as well. 

There’s new rules coming out all the time that you’ve got to be aware of, so stay on top of these and remain compliant.

It is also recommended for you to follow budgets and agency forecasts. Luckily, these are published and can be seen by the public.

So, look at the data that are showing up in these reports and analyze your business strategies. Do you need to pivot? What companies are getting all the work and how you can work with them?

CHANGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU SHOULD CHECK

1. LPTA

If the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) contracts are making you poor, then better check the recent changes made in the rule. 

Analyze why LPTA has been hurting your business and get to know the new rules. 

2. Pandemic Response

With the COVID-19 pandemic still terrorizing the world, you might need to check what are the federal government’s requirements related to pandemic response.

You might have the needed products and services that can help, so don’t just wait to quote something you see on SAM or anywhere online, go directly to the agencies needing it the most. 

Besides, what’s the worst thing that can happen aside from them saying no? So, call them up and say that you wanted to help. 

3. Telework and Virtual Outreach

The federal government is also doing virtual outreach, so take advantage of these activities. Find out the next one by contacting small business specialists and other decision-makers. 

Also, remember that most people are doing telework right now, so call your potential government agencies and provide them something of value while also building relationships with them. 

4. CCMC

Those of you who are in the IT industries and those who are doing business with the Department of Defense should already be tracking your Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CCMC).

You should also learn more about this matter and pay attention in order for you to become compliant. 

5. Diversity Inclusion Trainings

The prohibition on diversity inclusion training has been rescinded, so those that are developing these kinds of training are once again welcome and encouraged in the federal agencies.

FEDERAL CONTRACTING IS A RELATIONSHIP GAME

There’s no such thing as doing business with the government. There’s only doing business with people.

Remember, there’s a real federal human behind every federal agency who puts everything on the line when they choose you.

In fact, it is recommended for you to reach out to your local Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, your target agency’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), and other government decision-makers. 

Apart from that, why not work with other government contractors? If you are a small business, you really want to expand your network and work with primes. 

Consider that these primes also need to reach their subcontract requirements. They need subcontractors that are familiar in a specific facility and that can provide the product or service that they need to fulfill the overall contract. 

RESOURCES

In doing business in the federal marketplace, you should learn to be a detective. Track the changes in the govcon policies and analyze how these affect your business and the future.

If you want to learn more about how to get in front of your federal buyer, then check the full Mastermind Monday video with Judy Bradt. 

You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

How to get in front of your Federal Buyer and “Win” your meeting

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

Lockheed Martin Corp. awarded $128.3M contract to exercise options for full rate production of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) AN/SLQ-32(V) 6

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York, is awarded a $128,391,564 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5503 to exercise options for full-rate production of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) AN/SLQ-32(V) 6. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York (78%); and Lansdale, Pennsylvania (22%), and is expected to be completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $54,625,948 (43%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) in the amount of $46,103,510 (36%); and fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) in the amount of $27,662,106 (21%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security company that primarily researches, designs, develops, manufactures, and integrates advanced technology products and services. The Company’s businesses span space, telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy, and systems integration. Lockheed Martin operates worldwide. (www.bloomberg.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Consolidated Application Development & Maintenance and IT Specialty Services

Posted on by Eric Coffie

This is the notification that Headquarters Army Sustainment Command intends to consolidate two information technology requirements that are currently being performed by Small Business Administration 8(a) Program participants into a single unified 8(a) requirement. This single requirement would combine the requirements of the following contracts W52P1J-16-C-4009 ASC Application Development & Maintenance and W52P1J-17-C-0043 Information Technology Specialized Services (non-C4IM). The current performance work statements for both requirements have been attached to provide interested parties with the necessary information to determine if they have the capability to perform this combined requirement. HQ ASC intends to award one (1)
combination Firm-Fixed-Priced (FFP) and Labor-Hour (L/H) type contract consisting of one (1) thirty (30) day transition period, one eleven (11) month base year with four (4) twelve (12) month option years, and one (1) six (6) month option to extend. The Information Technology Specialized Services portion of the contract will be Firm-Fixed- Price, while the Application Development & Maintenance portion of the contract will be Labor-Hour.

  • Original Set Aside: 8(a) Set-Aside (FAR 19.8)
  • Product Service Code: DA01 – IT AND TELECOM – BUSINESS APPLICATION/APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (LABOR)
  • NAICS Code: 541519 – Other Computer Related Services
  • Place of Performance: Rock Island, IL 61299 USA
  • Original Response Date: May 20, 2021 01:00 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.