Month: December 2021

Eli Lilly Co Awarded $525M for doses of the combination therapeutic

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Eli Lilly Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, was awarded a $525,000,000 modification (P00006) to contract W911QY-21-D-0012 for doses of the combination therapeutic. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-21-D-0012).

Eli Lilly is a leading pharmaceutical company that develops diabetes, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience medicines. Its top-selling drugs include Trulicity (treatment of type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors); Humalog (an injectable human insulin analog); Alimta (treatment for various cancers); Taltz (treatment for moderated-to-severe plaque psoriasis); Humulin (injectable human insulin); and Jardiance (treatment for type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of cardiovascular death with patients with type 2 diabetes and heart diseases) among others. The company generates most of its revenue in the US. (www.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Coded Wire Tags

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District (NWP) intends to negotiate/award a sole-source contract with Northwest Marine Technology, Inc. (NMT) for coded wire tags (CWT) to inject into fish as part of the NWP Hatchery Program.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: 5820 – RADIO AND TELEVISION COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT AIRBORNE
  • NAICS Code: 334220 – Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance: Portland , OR 97204 USA
  • Original Response Date: Dec 21, 2021 11:00 am PST

Full details via beta.sam.gov

Liseth Velez: Woman and Military Veteran CEO Talks About Her First Win and the Future!

Posted on by Eric Coffie

In the new episode of Making a Giant, Liseth J. Velez talks about her first win and the future of her company in the government marketplace!

BACKGROUND

Liseth J. Velez came from Columbia to the United States when she was seven years old. 

Growing up, she knew that she wanted to be in the military, so she joined the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in high school. 

She then started her career in the United States (US) Army as a truck driver and then transitioned as an HVAC Technician in the U.S. Air Force.  

Then, while still working in a liquor distributor company, she founded L.J.V. Development, a general contracting and construction management company providing construction services solutions company to state, federal, medical, and commercial markets. 

After forming her company, Velez immediately started winning small projects in the private sector, as well as in the government marketplace.  

“I had already invested all this because I literally, with LJV, it’s not just a company, it’s trying to build a culture, it’s trying to build a vision…. We’re really trying to just do things above and beyond.”

LEARNING ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT MARKETPLACE

Before quitting her job at a liquor distributor company, Velez was already working with L.J.V. Development in 2018. 

“Again, I was finding as much information as I could and just… like talking to everybody and understanding, like everybody’s perspective because a lot of us immigrants, we don’t know if anything we’ve got to take care of our parents, so you have to just make, with what you have.”

She was already learning about the whole SBA process and was already getting certifications. 

Then, she also started watching govcon videos on Youtube. That’s where she stumbled upon our GovCon Giants videos and decided to do the free and the premium course. 

Meanwhile, she decided to leave corporate America and focus on her business. She started taking the 7(j) Program once it was opened for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. 

“There gets to a point, and you’re gonna know what point, like you’re gonna feel it because your workload is just too much and you just can’t wear things anymore. We’re gonna have to just do it. Just jump.”

WINNING HER FIRST CONTRACT

After sending several sources sought responses and making her capability statement better, Velez ran into a fencing job worth $25,000 from the Corps of Engineers. 

She then went to LinkedIn to look for companies providing the same services and compared the estimates of different companies.

Afterwards, she put the quote together and on May 7, 2020, she won the contract. 

When LJV Development already executed the fencing job, Velez made sure that everything was ready. She has a safety director who was an ISO 9000 auditor, as well as other experts who could help her in managing her business.

Although they made a little mistake, they were still able to solve the problem and ended the job within the specific time frame.

“When you do your homework and when you’re ready, then you’re ready…. One of the things that I’ve seen in so many companies, I’m not gonna say which ones, but you got to be proactive in life. You have to stay ready.”

Currently, LJV Development is in the process of negotiating a small project with the Veteran Affairs. They are also doing a state job in Connecticut and some private stuff.

Velez is also continuously learning and is also renewing herself in learning more how she could grow her business while taking advantage of different government programs for small businesses. 

ADVICE FOR OTHER BUSINESSES

1. Agencies want companies they can trust.

Same as hiring employees and experts who are willing to do their job, the government also wants companies that can provide the best products or services for the contract. 

“Agencies are looking for people they can trust and that are willing to, that are gonna do what they say they’re gonna do.”

2. Building a business takes a lot of risks.

As a business owner, you need to learn how to navigate the marketplace. You have to advocate for yourself while understanding the rules that govern you and other decision-makers. 

With this, you need to look at your life and your situation. See if it makes sense. 

Most importantly, understand that building a business takes time and a lot of risks. Are you willing to go through all of these? 

“Have an open mind, and see what you have and what you want, and then go from there.”

3. Learn from your experiences. 

Not all opportunities equate huge returns. However, it does provide experiences that you can use towards your next opportunity. 

“Let’s diagnose the situation, and then go from there, and see how we can do it better.”

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more how Liseth J. Velez won her first contract, 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!

Woman/ Veteran/ Ceo Talks about her First Win and the Future!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxeYUgG9XRw&t=3s

Jo-Kell Inc. Awarded $11M for UH-60A helicopter special purpose electrical cable assembly spare parts

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Jo-Kell Inc.,** Chesapeake, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $11,103,552 indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price long-term contract for UH-60A helicopter special purpose electrical cable assembly spare parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Virginia, with a Nov. 29, 2026, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4A6-21-D-0036).

Jo-Kell Inc. is located in Chesapeake, VA, United States and is part of the Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Merchant Wholesalers Industry. Jo-Kell Inc. has 94 total employees across all of its locations and generates $96.32 million in sales (USD). There are 5 companies in the Jo-Kell Inc. corporate family.(www.dnb.com)

 

SOURCES SOUGHT: Seeking Construction Contractors in Timor-Leste

Posted on by Eric Coffie

NAVFAC Pacific, ROICC Thailand issues this Sources Sought Notice as an announcement to local industry. We are developing partnerships with local design-build firms that have an active construction contractors presence in Timor-Leste. The majority of the solicitations issued by our office are sent to local entities only (FAR 5.202(a)(12)). If your firm maintains local and rapid construction capabilities throughout Timor-Leste, provide your capabilities statement to the Primary Point of Contract listed below. Your capabilities may be referred to as future projects are identified.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Updated Response Date: Dec 20, 2021 11:00 am HST
  • Product Service Code:
  • NAICS Code: 23 – Construction
  • Place of Performance: USA

Full details via beta.sam.gov

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. Awarded $113M for long lead time material (LLTM)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded an $113,694,258 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract action for long lead time material (LLTM) in support of one amphibious assault ship (general purpose) replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 9). This action will be the sixth increment of LLTM awarded to HII under contract N00024-20-C-2437 executed on April 30, 2020. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (64%); Montville, New Jersey (7%); Mobile, Alabama (5%); Tulsa, Oklahoma (5%); High Ridge, Missouri (5%); Blaine, Washington (4%); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (4%); Thomaston, Connecticut (3%); and Ayer, Massachusetts (3%). Work is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $85,270,693 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The obligation amount represents 75% of the not-to-exceed price, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 217.7404-4, limitations on obligations. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured — only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-2437).

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is the sole designer, builder, and refueler of the US Navy’s nuclear aircraft carriers. Rivaling nuclear submarine builder General Dynamics, HII is the largest naval shipbuilder in America; it also maintains and repairs nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. In addition, HII builds expeditionary warfare ships, surface combatants, submarines, and Coast Guard surface ships and provides aftermarket fleet support. Almost all its offerings are sold to the US government. (www.dnb.com)

How To WIN FEDERAL CONTRACTS With No Past Performance

Posted on by Eric Coffie

On average, there are 2,000 to 5,000 new government contracting opportunities available each day in all industry categories. 

Taking a piece of that pie is no small matter, as government contracting involves technical complexities that people often find overwhelming. 

Is it possible to win Federal Contracts with no past performance? The answer is yes.

It’s a massive market, and almost everyone, if not all, wants to go into this industry. But many small business owners don’t how to do it or don’t have the time to learn about it, so that’s where consultants come in.

There are companies that have the potential to go after and win federal contracts, as they have tools, money, and past performance. 

All they need now is to hire someone who can do the research and preparation for them while they focus on running their business.

THE ANSWER: Consulting Government Contracts

The reason people struggle when going into the federal marketplace is that they’re going through it alone. 

They think they can come into this market and start by being a small firm and expect that their business will eventually grow and build credibility over time.

The problem with that mindset is that hoping to grow strategically over time is ineffective in government contracting. The government cycles are so long that the opportunity you’re looking at might be gone for the next five years.

Organic growth only works if you’re building products, revenue generation models, and subscription-based services. 

When you’re in the federal marketplace, you need to take advantage of what opportunities exist right now while you’re active. So how do you do that when you’re just the little guy? 

If you lack the capability, team, and capital, you’re going to have a hard time successfully doing government contracts by yourself.

When you do it as a consultant, however, you don’t need any money. All you need is hustle, grit, and knowledge on federal procurement. 

Although doing local and city work like micro-purchases, the government might give you some money upfront, that’s still not enough money to take care of yourself and feed your family. 

If you want to make more money, like six figures, government consulting is the way to go.

HOW TO BECOME A FEDERAL CONTRACTS CONSULTANT

I’ve got videos on how you could become a Consultant for Federal Contracts on my YouTube channel, but in a nutshell, what you do is you find companies that want to get into the marketplace and help them win federal contracts.

Many small business owners think that the government will not buy their products or services, but on the contrary, the government buys everything. 

So what you do, as a consultant, is work out a contract between the small business and the government, and if successful, you will receive payment in response to that.

I’ve also written a guide on How To Become a Federal Government Contractor. It’s a step-by-step process for people who are starting out as a contractor.

Do You Need Set-Asides to Win?

There’s so much misinformation about set-asides, like how they’re the only way for people to win in this industry. 

Apart from the fact that set-asides only represent a small percentage of all the opportunities in the federal arena, I’m here to tell you that they’re not even written or asked on most contracts.

If you go through sam.gov, you will see that most contract opportunities put “Total Small Business Set-Aside” as their contract classification. 

What is Total Small Business Set-Aside? This pertains to companies that fall underneath the small business size standards table by the SBA.

If you find yourself under that threshold, then you are a small business and you are qualified to go for that contract.

So, the answer is No. You don’t need set-asides to qualify for these contract opportunities.

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about how you could win contracts with no past performance, then be sure to click the resources below. You can also visit the GovCon Giant website or the new GovCon Edu, where you know everything about government contracting!

How to WIN Government Contracts With No Past Performance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR8vdTtvuyU

How to Win Government Contracts WITHOUT Past Performance! PT 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on8gxVwwHQ8

Want to make money as a Government Consultant, follow these steps – Eric Coffie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1801TXW3pQ&t=133s

http://www.bidnotice.org/Facts.html

SOURCES SOUGHT: Request for Information (RFI): Charging as a Services (CaaS) for the Department of the Air Force

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) seeks to identify and obtain information from responsible sources in connection with the acquisition of comprehensive charging services for the electrification of their non-tactical fleet, with specific locations and scope still under evaluation.

The DAF is ultimately seeking one or more industry providers herein known as the “Provider”, to cost-effectively and comprehensively deliver reliable, resilient, and efficient “Charging as a Service” or “CaaS” services to electric vehicles (EVs) in the form of a comprehensive vehicle electrification charging solution. Ideally the solution would provide a turn-key charging capability to the DAF non-tactical fleet. The DAF is seeking Providers who will install, own, operate (to include point-of-sale cost collections, billing, and reimbursements) and sustain charging capabilities, EVSE, and associated electric and cyber infrastructure. For the purposes of this RFI, the DAF does not intend to own EVSE. The DAF would consider solutions at the installation, regional, or enterprise-wide level.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code:
  • NAICS Code:
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Original Response Date: Dec 16, 2021 11:59 pm EST

Full details via beta.sam.gov

M.C. Dean Awarded $250M for the Pentagon Force Protection Agency Integrated Security Services Contract

Posted on by Eric Coffie

M.C. Dean, Tysons, Virginia, was awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HQ0034-22-D-0002). The amount of this action is $250,000,000. The purpose of this contract is for the Pentagon Force Protection Agency Integrated Security Services Contract to provide a total system approach for providing integrated electronic and physical security systems for the Pentagon Reservation, Mark Center, Defense Health Headquarters, Department of Defense leased facilities, and Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Adams County, Pennsylvania; and Washington County, Maryland. This contract provides baseline support (system support, maintenance repair, and logistics) to security applications to the multiple facilities. Work will be performed at the Pentagon and the Mark Center. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. The expected completion date is Dec. 16, 2026. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

M. C. Dean, Inc. is located in Tysons, VA, United States and is part of the Building Equipment Contractors Industry. M. C. Dean, Inc. has 4,158 total employees across all of its locations and generates $1.26 billion in sales (USD). (Sales figure is modelled). There are 45 companies in the M. C. Dean, Inc. corporate family. (www.dnb.com)

113: Talia Fox – Leadership strategies, building your network and transforming leaders

Posted on by Eric Coffie

My guest for this week’s podcast episode is Talia Fox, the CEO of KUSI Global, Inc. A leadership strategist and a legacy builder, she has transformed thousands of executives over the last two decades in every sector, including major corporations in health, higher education, technology, and government.

Talia has assisted leaders in the development of innovative strategies for some of the most critical and complex missions globally, including defense, wealth inequalities, racial and social justice, aviation, and healthcare. She helps organizations maximize human potential by leveraging strategic intelligence and helps individuals and organizations foster connected cultures and promote conscious equity.

She has facilitated and designed thousands of interactive learning experiences that support cultural competence, organizational intelligence, productivity, and leadership strategies. Her trainings are widely sought after, and she has been invited to share her expertise in leadership and business strategies globally.

Tune in to this episode as Talia shares valuable tips from her leadership strategist experience, building your network, the importance of communications, and more.