Month: January 2022

Staci Redmon: Award-Winning Innovator and Advocate

Posted on by Eric Coffie

An Award-Winning innovator and advocate, Staci Redmon, shares her journey in becoming who she is today. Learn her vision for her company and other small businesses!

WHO IS STACI REDMON?

Staci Redmon is an experienced and award-winning executive and innovator behind Strategy and Management Services (SAMS) Inc. Through her company, she led various innovations in the field of healthcare, banking and finance, communications, utilities, energy education, government, and military and defense.

Redmon is also a veteran advocate who has made a difference in leading people and serving her community. SAMS proudly upholds this value by following a veteran first hiring practice and more than 70% of its employees are veterans. 

Apart from all of these, Redmon is also a sought-after speaker and leader in the industry. She donated her time to various civic activities such as being part of several non-profit organizations. 

Because of her values in life and as a business owner, Staci Redmon received a handful of recognitions. One of her recent awards is the 2018 Minority Veteran Business Enterprise of the Year.

HOW DID STACI REDMON STARTED?

Fresh out of high school, Staci Redmon directly joined the army. However, she then became injured. This prompted her to work as a civil servant in the federal government.

Over the course of her career in the Department of Defense, she was able to understand how the government buys things and how the defense acquisition life cycle works. She had also worked in the army Chief Information Office which helps her understand the acquisition process of the government better. 

After working in the government, she continued her education while also working for large companies for positions including an IT Systems Engineer, Enterprise Architect, Army Market Program Manager.

Then, she worked with a friend who has a medium size company. It gave her an opportunity to learn how small businesses work and to also learn how to manage it. 

After working in that small business for a while, she then started her business. She had no plan on why she built her business in 2008 when the economy was crashing down but she did it with the belief that, “If not now, then never. So, let’s do it.”

WHAT STACI REDMON LEARNED IN NAVIGATING THE INDUSTRY?

One of the rules that were highlighted in the interview is Redmon’s rule number 138 wherein it says about celebrating the everyday leaders. She believed that leaders are everywhere and the key in seeing this skill from people is through giving them an opportunity to grow. 

“You have to give people the opportunity so that they can grow and they can build that encouragement that they need to be able to take things forward.” 

Redmon also talked about what she learned as a veteran and her belief that veterans can really be great entrepreneurs because of the environment that they were trained in and the skills that they were taught.

Lastly, Redmon also noted that before working with a small company managed by her friend, she worked in different large firms to understand how everything works from the beginning up to the product delivery. 

“I got to see a whole lot more when I worked at that firm. So that was, you know, of course very beneficial because I got to run my projects and to be able to see the inner workings of the corporation.”

WHAT ARE STACI REDMON’S ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS? 

Redmon understands that building a small business in the government marketplace is different and with this you will experience a lot of mistakes. However, she views it as key experiences to her success. 

“I don’t necessarily call them mistakes. I think their experiences, right. ‘Cause a mistake is saying that you did something wrong, but you don’t necessarily do something wrong. It’s a learning experience and you learn how to do that.”

Most importantly, she believed in the benefits of understanding the reason behind what you do because it strongly empowers other people as well as lets them understand you and what you are doing in an authentic way. 

“What is your why? What makes you get up in the morning and continue to do what you do?”

RESOURCES

If you want to watch the full video of the interview with Staci Redmon as she shared her success story and how he navigate the federal marketplace, then be sure to click the links below:

How to turn a business mistake into opportunity from Staci Redmon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ-pgQeyjI0

052: Staci Redmon – President and CEO, Strategy and Management Services Inc (SAMS) – Entrepreneur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMJSpGldYuA&t=136s

052: Staci Redmon, President and CEO, Strategy and Management Services Inc (SAMS) – Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Veteran Advocate, Innovator

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/staci-redmon-president-and-ceo-strategy-and-management-services-inc-sams-entrepreneur-philanthropist-veteran-advocate-innovator/

SOURCES SOUGHT: B-21 Radio Frequency Facility (RF Hangar) – Construction

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District is conducting market research to identify sources (Small Businesses and Other-than-Small Businesses) that have the knowledge, skills and capability to perform the B-21 Radio Frequency Facility (RF Hangar) Construction work. Responses are requested only from: POTENTIAL PRIME CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS WITH COMPANY BONDING CAPABILITY (SINGLE JOB) OF AT LEAST $50M. This is one of several major construction projects that serves as part of a multi-year facilities beddown in support of the B-21 program at EAFB, SD. This project will provide a new +/- 60,000 SF single-bay hangar facility and associated airfield apron, site features, utilities, and infrastructure for radio frequency testing of the emerging B-21 airframe. The project may include bid options for furniture, furnishing and equipment (FF&E), user-funded equipment, intrusion detection systems (IDS), access control systems (ACS), and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. Facilities will be designed as permanent construction in accordance with the DoD Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 1-200-01, General Building Requirements and UFC 1-200-02, High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements. The facility must be compatible with applicable DoD, Air Force, aircraft, and base design standards. In addition, sustainable (green) construction materials and techniques shall be used where cost effective and/or where specified. This project will comply with DoD antiterrorism/force protection requirements per unified facilities criteria.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: Y1EB – CONSTRUCTION OF MAINTENANCE BUILDINGS
  • NAICS Code: 236220 – Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • Place of Performance: Ellsworth AFB , SD 57706 USA
  • Original Response Date: Jan 26, 2022 04:00 pm MST

Full details via beta.sam.gov

Spencer Construction Inc.Awarded $15.3M for water treatment plant repairs to Basins 343-348 and 352-353

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Spencer Construction Inc.,* Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $15,258,598 firm-fixed-price contract (N62473-22-C-1011) for water treatment plant repairs to Basins 343-348 and 352-353 at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California. The work to be performed provides for the construction, procurement, and installation services for replacement of six existing damaged and degraded one-million-gallon reinforced concrete sedimentation basins and two existing damaged and degraded 200,000-gallon decant basins, and their associated piping and infrastructure. Work will be performed in Imperial, California, and is expected to be completed by June 2022. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $15,258,598 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

Spencer Construction, Inc. is located in Walled Lake, MI, United States and is part of the Residential Building Construction Industry. Spencer Construction, Inc. has 3 total employees across all of its locations and generates $636,067 in sales (USD). (Sales figure is modelled). (www.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Interim Link-16 Capability for HC-130J

Posted on by Eric Coffie

This request for information/sources sought is published for market research purposes only. The purpose of this subject task order description is to define the requirements for the integration of a Line of Sight (LOS) Data Link 16 radio on up to twenty two (22) HC-130J aircraft using portions of the Airborne Mission Networking (AbMN) system developed for the MC-130J and EC-130J to ensure compatibility between the SACU, LOS data Link‑16, and AbMN software on the HC-130J aircraft. Contractor shall integrate a government furnished Multifunctional Information Distribution System – Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) LOS data Link 16 radio on up to twenty two (22) HC-130J aircraft using portions of the Airborne Mission Networking (AbMN) system developed for the MC-130J and EC-130J to ensure compatibility between the SACU, LOS data Link‑16, and AbMN software on the HC-130J aircraft. Contractor shall perform one (1) Trial Kit, one (1) Kit Proof, and up to Twenty (20) Production installations. There shall be no degradation of current HC-130J systems (i.e. Vortex, SADL, AFTRS-R, PRC-117G, etc.).

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code:
  • NAICS Code: 336411 – Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Original Response Date: Jan 28, 2022 05:00 pm EST

Full details via beta.sam.gov

 

Mike Melo: Serving People and Highlighting Values of Leadership!

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Serve people and highlight the value of leadership with Mike Melo, the President and CEO of ITA International!

BACKGROUND

Mike Melo was a former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer and Director for the program called Virginia Troops to Teachers at Old Dominion University.

Then, in 2005, Melo and his wife founded ITA International, a global service provider for customers that are “In The Arena.” 

They provided integrated services in the areas of operational support, marine engineering, cyber operations, and data analytics for the US government, commercial customers, and Non-Government Organizations operating globally.

The name of Melo’s company, ITA, is actually derived from a passage in a 1910 speech by Teddy Roosevelt referred to as “The Man in the Arena.”

In that speech, Roosevelt praises those who work hard and demonstrate values of leadership, integrity, and hard work rather than simply sitting on the sidelines. 

BUILDING ITA INTERNATIONAL

Before building ITA, Melo actually started a marine maintenance business that failed miserably. 

“It’s business. We have ups and downs. And you know, you win some contracts, but you just got to keep your eye on the ball and keep moving forward.”

However, with the goal of building a successful business, Melo then decided to go into government contracting because he already understood how the government works. 

What he did was he converted that marine maintenance business into an analysis and planning company for the Department of Defense. 

He even used her daughter’s college funds to build ITA because he didn’t want to borrow money to fund their business.

Fortunately, he was able to get a one-year contract and this then led to more success in building ITA. 

Currently, Melo and his wife aren’t just the one managing ITA. They also hired and promoted their daughter as the company’s Chief of Growth.

LESSONS LEARNED IN BUSINESS

The first thing that Melo understood in building ITA is that he is not the smartest man in the room. 

There will always be someone who has more experience and knowledge than him. However, instead of drowning himself with the thought that he is not good enough, he talks to these people and learns from their experiences. 

“The thing that I think sets entrepreneurs apart from everybody is the ability to listen to all these different sources and connect the dots.”

Apart from that, he also understood that he needs to learn how to maintain the three legs of their company’s stool which consist of their employees, customers, and partners. 

This is due to the fact that whenever there is only one aspect of these legs that becomes broken or these people become ineffective or worried, this will harm the other legs too. 

“If we at the headquarters take care of our employees, then they can focus on taking care of the customers. If the headquarters focus on our partners, they’ll take care of our customers too… So, it’s our responsibility to make sure we take care of the customer. And so that’s the thing I would say. Three legged stool.”

ADVICE FOR HIRING PEOPLE FOR SENIOR LEADERSHIP ROLE

When Melo and his wife hire people for senior leadership positions, they take these people out to dinner because they want to see their table manners and how they treat the wait staff.

Why is this important? Because the way they act and treat people will represent your business in some way. 

For instance, if they’re dismissive to the wait staff, that’s how they’re gonna treat people in your company. 

“We were interviewing for a Chief Operating Officer, this lady had tremendous quals, she had great experience… We took her to our favorite restaurant, we knew the white staff intimately there… and she was just dismissive of the wait staff, so Kathy said we’re not hiring her. Because that’s how she’s going to treat people. We’re not going to have that in ITA.” 

RESOURCES

If you want to learn more about how Mike Melo, the President and CEO of ITA International, serves people and highlights the value of leadership, 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!

090: Mike Melo – Cyber/IT engineering firm discusses outgrowing small business status

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJiE25VadYI

ASRC Federal Space & Defense LLC Awarded $225.5M for Rocket Systems Launch Program Mission Assurance.

Posted on by Eric Coffie

ASRC Federal Space & Defense LLC, Beltsville, Maryland, has been awarded a $225,500,000 ceiling cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Rocket Systems Launch Program Mission Assurance. This contract provides for systems engineering, risk management, technical analysis, independent verification and validation, and quality assurance for launch missions, and planning and analysis for logistics concerns such as motor/component sustainment, aging surveillance, motor refurbishment, booster build, booster test, transportation/handling and system integration. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and if all options are exercised, is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2030. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with three bids received. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $277,414 will be obligated at the time of award. Space Systems Command, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA8818-22-D-0001). (Awarded Dec. 6, 2021).

Asrc Federal Holding Company, LLC is located in Beltsville, MD, United States and is part of the Computer Systems Design and Related Services Industry. Asrc Federal Holding Company, LLC has 3,281 total employees across all of its locations and generates $1.00 billion in sales (USD). (Sales figure is modelled). There are 195 companies in the Asrc Federal Holding Company, LLC corporate family. (www.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Y1BG-Expand and Renovate EHRM upgrades

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) is conducting a market survey and is seeking qualified firms to provide professional Construction Services to Y1BG-Expand and Renovate EHRM (Electronic Health Records Management Infrastructure) Upgrades at Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic – Columbus, OH. The contractor shall completely prepare the site for building operations, including demolition and removal of existing structures/equipment, and furnish labor and materials and perform work to expand and renovate space for Electronic Health Records Management Infrastructure Upgrades at the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic – Columbus, OH, as required by drawings and specifications. This project shall include, but is not be limited electrical work, and other items as contained within the construction documents. This project has been designed to replace the existing fiber backbone and terminations as well as providing a redundant fiber network for the Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus, OH. In addition to the telecommunications work there will be new critical power specialized receptacles and normal power general purpose receptacles installed in telecommunication rooms throughout the facility.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: Y1BG – CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRONIC AND COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  • NAICS Code: 236220 – Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • Place of Performance:Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic , OH 43219 USA
  • Updated Response Date: Jan 21, 2022 02:00 pm MST

Full details via beta.sam.gov

117: Rebecca Wilson Pselos – GSA Strategies for beginners

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Our guest for this week’s podcast, Rebecca Wilson Pselos, the President of Kite Tail Strategy. She began her career auditing Departments of Defense (DOD) and Homeland Security (DHS) major acquisitions. She then worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Inspector General, reviewing the agency’s approaches to leasing underutilized property, requirements development for Earth Science programs, and contracting services.

More recently, she served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Congressional and Interagency Affairs where she represented many GSA programs and significantly influenced major legislation. With almost 15 years of expertise in government contracting and government affairs, Rebecca is dedicated to helping small businesses strategically pursue federal contracts and advocating on their behalf.

This is a one of a kind interview getting some inside knowledge and information from a former GSA and GAO personnel who has gone on to start her own organization, Kite Tail Strategy.

We talked about the policies and programs of the General Services Administration (GSA) Marketplace, U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO) and The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) compliance, requirements and many more.

Tune in to this episode now with our next Giant, Rebecca Wilson Pselos.

CAE USA Awarded $10.2M for the Airborne Warning and Control System Flight Crew Trainer.

Posted on by Eric Coffie

CAE USA, Arlington, Texas, has been awarded a $10,186,946 modification (P00038) to previously awarded contract FA8621-15-C-6309 for the Airborne Warning and Control System Flight Crew Trainer. The contract modification is for the exercise of the seventh option year under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,663,500 are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $86,610,480. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

A subsidiary of Canadian company CAE Inc., CAE USA designs, builds, and sells a range of flight simulators for training on military and civil aircraft. The company also offers trainings course using its simulators for hands-on (if not in-air) experience. Its Tampa Training Center provides flight simulation services for the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft, a popular airplane that’s been in production since 1954 and used by some 70 countries. Parent CAE has a dozen other locations across the US that offer training for the civil aviation, mining, and healthcare industries. (www.dnb.com)

SOURCES SOUGHT: Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD)Telemetry Kit Production & Support

Posted on by Eric Coffie

The U.S. Air Force is performing market research to identify potential contractors who have the skills, experience and knowledge required to support Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) weapon system. The requirement is to produce a Telemetry Flight Kit that will be installed to provide a weapon information stream to a ground station. The Telemetry Kit will be used for all WCMD variant weapons. The data stream will give the Government in real time, arm, dispense and fin deployment information. There is no Government owned technical data for the WCMD Telemetry Kit. Additionally, the government furnished equipment (GFE) is limited for this effort. The contractor is responsible to provide all personnel, services, facilities, and materials to accomplish the effort. A first article test will be required to include government observation. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this sources sought. Any information submitted by respondents to this notice is strictly voluntary.

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code:
  • NAICS Code: 334511 – Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
  • Place of Performance: USA
  • Updated Response Date: Jan 17, 2022 02:00 pm MST

Full details via beta.sam.gov