DHS’ Silicon Valley Innovation Program Speeds Proposal Process
Sep 14, 2017
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) is proving to be very popular among startups. Dr. Douglas Maughan, director of the Cyber Security Division within the Science and Technology Directorate at DHS, said SVIP had taken a three-four month proposal process...
Federal Contractor Summertime Blues: 5 Steps to Staying on Track
Aug 14, 2017
To everything there is a season. No one knows this more than companies that do business with the Federal government; the Federal procurement season that is. Summer, especially late summer of July through September, is 4th quarter of the Federal calendar year, and many Federal contractors mirror...
Why Government Contractors Don’t Have Private Sector Clients
Aug 9, 2017
If you pay attention to the federal market, you’ll notice something strange. Few small businesses successfully manage to support commercial and federal sector clients at the same time. Here’s some data: Over the past five years about 80 companies have scored repeat performances on Washington...
Encouraging Small Firms in Public Competition
Jul 27, 2017
The Pre-Procurement PhaseWe wrote here about the reasons why many contracting authorities around Europe have found it difficult to get the proportion of their contracts and business won by small or diverse firms up to a reasonable level. But the good news is that there are many steps that...
How Can Small Businesses Win More Government Contracts?
Jul 25, 2017
Most governments and public sector bodies (contracting authorities) have an objective to increase the share of public sector expenditure that goes to smaller firms (SMEs / small and medium enterprises).
There is an interesting economic, political and philosophical debate to be had in terms of...
Recap: ‘Selling in the Government’ Webinar with Dr. Steve Kelman
Jul 25, 2017
On July 24, Dr. Steven Kelman, Professor of Public Management at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government presented a webinar for suppliers interested in entering the government market. “Selling in the Government – Understand How the Government is Different and What That Means for...
3 Vital Lessons for Potential Suppliers in Selling to the Public Sector
Jul 25, 2017
There is no shortage of advice for businesses who want to sell products or services to the public sector. Unfortunately, some of this is not good advice, and there are firms who exploit the ignorance of many firms to sell expensive training, consulting, or advice that brings little value.
Why...
Best Value vs. Best Price in Federal Contracts: Who wins?
Jul 19, 2017
Spending isn’t likely to explode in the next year, but there are definite priorities among government buyers that are important to pay attention to. For the fourth year in a row, the federal government reached its small business contracting goals, spending nearly $100 billion on small businesses,...
This July 4th, Honor the U.S. by Bringing your Technology and Software Solutions to Government
Jul 5, 2017
If you work for a company with a potential solution or technology for government, yet believe the government doesn’t have the sophistication to value your capabilities, I suggest you think again. Having been a supplier to government as the founder of a strategy consulting firm for almost 15...
Taking the Mystery out of Federal Government Contracting and Procurement
Jun 28, 2017
At Public Spend Forum, we’re proud of the work we’ve done to connect buyers and suppliers in the public sector. We’re also struck by the irony that in few markets would this type of work really be required. When a private company decides it needs products or services, offers can be solicited...
Teaching Suppliers How to Win in Federal Contracting
Jun 22, 2017
Nancy Alvarez manages the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Dallas-Fort Wort District’s 8(a) Business Development program and offers her insights on opening doors to contracts with federal agencies nationwide. “But you have to be ready,” she says. Due to estimated budget increases, now...
Cloud Computing Protest Offers Lessons for Buyers & Suppliers
Jun 22, 2017
A recent protest decision from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) provides several important lessons for procurement professionals who are buying cloud-enabled services as well as vendors hoping to sell them. Let’s dive in!Red River Computing Company protested the Department of Homeland...
