On today's episode, I sit down with Rachael Lee—my pick for the "Queen of FEMA"—to pull back the curtain on how small businesses can truly break into FEMA contracting. From her 8 years in the Army and roles with KBR to helping clients land multi-billion-dollar contracts, Rachael brings unmatched clarity on what it really takes to succeed. We cover why readiness trumps rushing to a disaster site, the step-by-step process to get FEMA-ready (from SAM registration to capability statements), and the reality that most firms must start as subcontractors on vehicles like LOGCAP or WEXMAC before scaling. Packed with war stories, insider tips, and billion-dollar context, this episode is your roadmap to positioning for FEMA work the right way.

Key topics covered:

• Exact first steps to win FEMA work: SAM registration, vendor portal, tuned NAICS codes, and capability statements.

• Why readiness and speed (mobilizing in 24–48 hours) matter more than rushing to disaster sites.

• How to break in through subcontracting on vehicles like WEXMAC and LOGCAP, then scale with primes for billion-dollar opportunities.

Learn more: https://govcongiants.org/

Connect with Rachael:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rachael-consulting-llc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090054228009 Twitter: Rachael's Consulting (@RachaelsCo81056) Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachaelconsulting