In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune welcomes back Lori Revely, CEO of Cavalry Consulting and chair of SAME’s Small Business Council, to preview the upcoming SAME Small Business Conference in Phoenix, AZ. With more than 6,000 attendees last year, SAME SBC has become the premier government contracting event for the AEC industry and beyond drawing small businesses, large primes, and government partners alike. Lori shares insider tips on how to prepare with pre-conference webinars, maximize matchmaking sessions, and take advantage of capability statement reviews with experts. They also discuss the importance of SAME’s regional posts, industry days, and how one well-planned conference can fuel your business development pipeline for the entire year. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned SBC veteran, this episode will help you make the most of one of GovCon’s most valuable networking and learning opportunities.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

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CMMC is officially here. The DoD finalized the DFARS rule on September 10, with CMMC clauses eligible in solicitations by November 10 and a three-year phase-in through November 10, 2028. We break down Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, the 180-day conditional grace period, prime flowdowns, and COTS exemptions. The headline: Level 2 can be a self-assessment on some programs, dramatically lowering cost and keeping more small and mid-sized firms in the game. We also cover smart “ghosting” moves to right-size requirements during pre-acquisition and Q&A, plus examples of where Level 2 self-assessment may be appropriate. Act early, budget now, and align your subs so you are not stuck in the rush.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Non-traditional contracting is exploding in government contracting, and small businesses can win faster by learning the rules. In this episode, Michael LeJeune and guest expert Angela Webb break down BAAs, CSOs, OTAs, and SBIR/STTR, when to use each, and where to find them on SAM.gov. You will learn the typical cadence from five-page white paper to full proposal, realistic timelines to award, how consortiums like AFWERX and SOFWERX fit in, and smart pipeline mix recommendations for tech and non-tech firms. We also cover pricing tips, prize challenges, and practical guidance for educating contracting officers with one-pagers that show exactly how to buy from you. If you want faster paths to revenue in GovCon, this is your playbook.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

The FAR Part 19 deviation is here, and the world is not on fire. In this episode, I break down why “small business first” largely formalizes how agencies already operate, and why overreliance on 8(a), WOSB, and SDVOSB status is a risky strategy going forward. We talk about legal headwinds to socioeconomic programs, the SBA’s shrinking role, and what contractors should do right now. The punchline is simple: position around outcomes, spend more time in pre-acquisition, build real relationships, and communicate value with clear metrics. If you do that, you will not just survive these changes, you will thrive.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this solo episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune dismantles the “invincible leader” myth and makes the case for sustainable leadership. Your real job isn’t doing everything, it’s setting the temperature (be a thermostat, not a thermometer), building systems that work without you, and modeling healthy boundaries.

Hear a candid client story: after years of 70–100-hour weeks and late-night emails, a CEO learned to delegate, stop after-hours calls, and actually take vacation, sparking a healthier culture and lower turnover.

Practical takeaways: delegate earlier, define response windows, reward rest, and coach leaders to own outcomes. Take off the cape; build a company that thrives without it.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune is joined by Jenny Karn and Rhi Ruff of Lumino to explore the surprising role Wikipedia plays in your government contracting success. Far from being “just an online encyclopedia,” Wikipedia feeds into Google, Siri, Alexa, social media verification, and even AI tools like ChatGPT. That means what’s written on Wikipedia could be shaping how contracting officers, teaming partners, and potential buyers see your company. Whether you know it or not. Jenny and Rhi explain how Wikipedia pages are created, why accuracy matters, and how contractors can monitor and correct misinformation. They also share practical tips for developing a Wikipedia strategy that supports your broader media and AI presence.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

If your results are flat, it might be time to look in the mirror. In this episode, Michael breaks down “radical ownership” for GovCon leaders and shows how to fix what’s left of the equal sign, and the behaviors that drive outcomes. We unpack common scapegoats like politics, FAR changes, and slow agencies, and replace them with actions that actually move revenue: better BD cadence, smarter keyword strategy, diversification, and process before scale. You’ll hear a real-world example of pipeline growth through keyword pivots, why “scale” can multiply chaos, and how questions like “What part of this is on me?” unlock better execution. Practical, candid, and immediately usable.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune talks with Kim Ali of Kim Ali Consulting about her remarkable comeback after losing 80% of her revenue in early 2025 due to sweeping executive orders. Kim shares how she used equitable adjustments to create a financial cushion, analyzed shifting federal priorities, and rebuilt her pipeline to $40M in just months. They discuss emerging trends that every contractor must watch, including the potential removal of the Rule of Two, changes to past performance requirements, and the importance of securing a GSA schedule. Kim also offers practical advice on diversifying beyond federal contracts, leveraging teaming opportunities, and above all, building strong relationships. This is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and thriving in uncertain markets.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 385: How to Write Emails Government Buyers Actually Answer by RSM Federal

Struggling to hire the right people, especially before a contract award? In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune talks with recruiting expert Al Vega about what it really takes to build a talent pipeline in GovCon. From cleared candidates to proposal recruiting, Al shares why “hypothetical recruiting” is critical to success and how to keep candidates warm with newsletters, transparency, and early engagement. Learn why recruiters are your brand ambassadors, the red flags to watch for in staffing firms, and when it’s time to bring in professional help. If you want to win more and deliver flawlessly, this episode is your roadmap to smarter hiring in government contracting.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession