Author: Eric Coffie

In this episode of the GovCon Giants Podcast, I sit down with Pierce, a former intel analyst who’s now knee-deep in the innovation game—helping non-traditional contractors break into defense and federal markets. With the new Executive Order pushing modernization in defense acquisitions, there’s never been a better time for small businesses, startups, and technologists to step up. Pierce and I break down how these players are landing six-figure awards—some in under 15 minutes.

We also unpack why over $650 million in government funding is still sitting untouched, and how to tap into it using tools like SBIRs, OTAs, CSOs, and pitch-day strategies. If you’ve got tech—or even just a great idea—Pierce shares the blueprint for building a winning quad chart and pitch deck that gets attention from agencies like DoD and NASA. Don’t miss this one.

Today’s episode is hot off the press. We’re talking about the brand-new Executive Order from the White House that’s set to completely reshape defense acquisitions. This isn’t theory—this is a real-time opportunity for small businesses, non-traditional vendors, and tech disruptors to break through the red tape and start solving real problems for the government—faster and more directly than ever before.

In this episode, I walk you through how to take advantage of non-FAR pathways like OTAs, how to build backchannel agency connections, and how to tap into the GovCon Giants community to align with national priorities. I’ll also share what’s coming down the pipeline, including our role in helping manage federal funds and upcoming live events that will connect you directly with decision-makers in 2025. If you’ve been waiting on a sign—this is it. Let’s dive in.

Today, we’re diving into the brand-new Executive Order aimed at Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base. If you’ve ever been stuck in the bureaucratic nightmare of DoD procurement, you know this system has needed a reboot for decades—and this EO might finally deliver it.

In this episode, I break down how this Executive Order could be the long-overdue reset to eliminate inefficiencies, cut red tape, and invite innovation from small businesses and non-traditional players like you. I also share an AI-generated audio breakdown of J. Ronald Fox’s legendary book Defense Acquisition Reform: 1960–2009, giving you historical context on why this new directive matters. Over the next few days, we’ll go deeper into what this means for your strategy—and how you can get support from our team to get in early. Let’s go!

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In this episode, I’m breaking down something huge—President Donald Trump just signed an Executive Order on April 9, 2025, called “Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base.” This is a massive shift for small businesses, startups, tech innovators, and everyone in the defense contracting space. I’m talking about less red tape, more speed, and real chances for non-traditional contractors to finally get in the game.

We dig into how this EO affects OTAs, rapid acquisitions, and why underperforming billion-dollar programs are now on notice. I also cover the new ten-for-one deregulation rule, retraining efforts for the acquisition workforce, and how commercial solutions will finally be prioritized. If you’ve ever felt like the door to defense was bolted shut—this episode shows you how it’s now cracked wide open. Your next big opportunity might be closer than you think.

In this episode of “The Daily Windup,” we delve into the complex world of government contracts and the challenges faced by contractors and government officials alike. We emphasizes the importance of organizations like the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) as a platform for contractors and government personnel to collaborate and address such challenges.

The conversation then shifts towards cybersecurity, a longstanding concern in the industry. We explore the introduction of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and its initial third-party certification approach, including the subsequent concerns raised by small businesses and the need for reimbursement of certification expenses.

Listen to gain valuable insights into the need for improved training and collaboration, while also understanding the complexities surrounding cybersecurity in the contracting community.

In today’s episode of The Daily Windup, we explore the concept of finding opportunities in government contracting by leveraging market intelligence and understanding the dynamics between government agencies and vendors.

This episode, we emphasize the importance of market research and highlighting the story of entrepreneur Roberta Moore, who secured a sole-source contract by presenting her capabilities and offering a better alternative.

We delve into the factors that influence government agencies’ decisions to switch vendors, such as rising prices or declining quality. Join me in this insightful episode as I shares valuable insights and strategies for entrepreneurs aiming to break into the government contracting space and make the most of available opportunities.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we reflect on the importance of embracing unexpected challenges, emphasizing the need to take swift and decisive action when faced with a “hot potato” situation. 

We also delves into the value of networking and going beyond one’s comfort zone, encouraging people to actively seek connections outside their immediate circles, attend events, and engage face-to-face to build authentic relationships.

Join me in this inspiring episode as I highlights the power of taking bold actions, expanding networks, and embracing unforeseen opportunities in the entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we talk about the challenges and solutions faced by the Hawaiian community during the pandemic. We talk about collaborations with the Governor of Hawaii to tackle the high unemployment rate caused by the travel industry’s collapse. Through brainstorming sessions and identifying various problems, they developed a groundbreaking initiative—creating a university to train individuals in STEM fields and provide opportunities for technological advancements.

One of the major hurdles they encountered was the lack of high-speed internet access on certain islands, such as Molokai. So a unique solution called “university in a box” was born. This innovative approach involved a specialized version of XF 5,000, an application capable of running offline on laptops. Students could access all the university’s resources and training material without an internet connection and periodically synchronize their progress during visits to designated locations with high-speed internet.

Join us in this insightful episode as we explore the transformative power of education and technology in rebuilding communities and fostering economic growth.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we dives into the complex world of government regulations and enforcement of domestic preferences. We discuss the process of monitoring and understanding federal regulations through the Federal Register, the insider tips on how to leverage the preview section of the register to stay ahead of upcoming regulations and gain an edge in blogging or reporting.

We also talk about enforcing domestic preferences, specifically addressing a case involving misrepresentation by a company selling cutlery as being made in the USA. Utilizing channels such as filing an IG complaint or reaching out to the ordering agency as potential avenues for enforcement.

Tune in to this informative episode of The Daily Windup for a concise breakdown of navigating government regulations and enforcing domestic preferences.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we dive into a variety of topics related to government contracting opportunities, discussing the importance of not pursuing expired contracts and emphasizing the need to respond but not harass. We talk about the importance to investigate whether an opportunity ever materialized into a contract before pursuing it further. 

I also highlight the comprehensive scope of contracts and the government’s move towards modernization, the importance of following precise instructions for submitting inquiries and responses, and paying attention to subject lines and details to maximize your chances of success.

Join me in this information-packed episode as I shares valuable insights and actionable advice for navigating the world of government contracting.