Govcon Giants

Today's podcast was a Youtube live session that I recorded just a few weeks ago regarding the new open AI Platform, ChatGPT. In this Youtube Live, we go over some examples of how to use ChatGPT to help small businesses with proposal writing.

As we know, a lot of people have difficulties and challenges with putting their proposals together and so in this particular episode, we're taking this new AI platform and using it to create proposal responses for new businesses.

Stay Tuned I hope you enjoy this episode, me interviewing and featuring guests of ours using ChatGPT.

In today's episode, we bring our guest Manish Gorawala, a serial entrepreneur, Technology Expert, and a Chief Visionary and CEO of Tri-Force Consulting Services, Inc., headquarter in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA.

Since 2000, under Manish's leadership, Tri-Force has executed projects worldwide focusing on enterprise application development, business intelligence, process automation and mobile solutions for government and commercial clients.

Tri-Force has managed a number of private and US government IT projects over the last 15+ years. Manish's rich experience in the industry has fueled the rapid development of Tri-Force Consulting Services, Inc., as a five-time winner among Philadelphia's 100 fastest growing companies and winner among Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest Growing companies.

Manish's deep personal and professional interest in technological trends and his excellent management skills have helped him bring quick success to the company.

Let's welcome our next giant, Manish Gorawala.

In today's podcast episode, we replay a recent Youtube Live interview that I did on the topic of minority certifications. In this interview we featured two guests, Kevin Williams of TekConnX and Heather Cox of CertifyMyCompany.

Throughout the interview we discuss the Big 5 certifications that the Fortune 1000 recognize.

Now, a little bit more about the guests, Kevin Williams of TekConnX, CEO and Strategic Advisor to emerging and innovative minority owned businesses. He's also the Treasurer for the National Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee which is a critical part of the leadership of the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council.

Heather Cox, President of CertifyMyCompany is a Diversity Certification Expert who aids eligible diverse suppliers in the process of becoming Diversity Certified and maximize the benefits of their certification.

Without further ado, let's help kick off the great start to 2023 with this conversation on Certifications.

In this episode, Renona Brown and Raffa Gibbard discussed how veterans can get money for starting a business. That's why I wanted to revisit this episode for those of you who missed out on this because there are a lot of veterans out here, but they specifically were in certain tracks that the government has that allows veterans to start their business and so we're going to talk about that in this episode.

Renona Riddle Brown is the CEO and Founder of HuRMAR Solutions, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Woman-Owned Small Business. HuRMAR is a Human Resources, Administrative, and Business Consulting company delivering mission-focused and solutions-oriented services to the federal, state, and private industries. After retiring from the military, Renona continued her service for the federal government sector. She knew she had so much to offer to the world, and so it was fate that she discovered the self-employment track.

Raffa Gibbard is the CEO of Brave One Contract Agency. In the Army, She was a Project Manager on several multimillion dollar projects (roads, entry control points, barracks , airfield runways and ranges in Kuwait. With Brave One Contract Agency her crews are vetted with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Interior, and the Department of Transportation. All employees have OSHA 10 certifications and supervisors have OSHA 30.

Stay tuned for this episode and let's welcome our Govcon Giants, Renona Brown and Raffa Gibbard.

The reason why I think this is a fascinating story for some of those persons who have not listened to her story is that she received her 8a Certification at the age of 60.

Corliss "Mama U" Udoema served for over 20 years in the US Marine Corps, as an Assistant Officer in Charge for the Facility Supports Contracts, and as a Supervisory Procurement Analyst in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, respectively.

Then, in 2006, she founded Contract Solutions, Inc. (CSI), a professional staffing and management support services company providing acquisition support, training solutions, human resources, and technology solutions.

She is also the President and founder of Agape Love in Action, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to helping people in need.

With all of these, her motto in delivering excellence is a reflection on why she is an acclaimed businesswoman and CSI is part of the Inc. 5000 list for the last consecutive 3 years, and the 2019 USDA Small Business Contractor of the Year, among others.

More importantly, Mama U wants to be known for her work in philanthropy, recently she's been ranked in the top 5 companies by the Washington Business Journal in terms of their philanthropy. Mama U has a different perspective on how she looks at government contracts, so I want you to have the same perspective as well moving forward with your government contracting journey.

Let's welcome our Govcon Giant, Corliss "Mama U" Udoema.

Today's guest is Mr. Donnie Harris, is a former guest of ours on the show. However, given the fact that there's so much money put into the infrastructure plan, I thought it would behoove me to bring him back on to let all the listeners out there to listen to the episode once again.

Donnie Harris is a former senior contracting officer with an unlimited warrant, meaning he could sign off at any size contract. Over the course of his 20 years in government he managed complex and high-profile procurements totaling over $3 billion, that's billion with a B, from the acquisition phase to the pre-award for three DC agencies.

His government customers where Mr. Harris provided procurement support included the Internal Revenue Service, Federal Aviation Administration, the Veterans Administration, Food and Drug Administration, Commerce, SBA, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, DOE, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Labor.

What I like the most about this interview with Mr. Harris was that he shared some truths about how the government works from the inside. These are things that are rarely heard outside of the government workplace.

He shared his insights, tools, the things that he's learned, suggestions for small businesses on how to grow, all of that in this episode.

Listen to this episode with our Govcon giant, Mr. Donnie Harris.

Real quick before we get started today, just want to let you know we have reopened Academy 3.0 our flagship program helping small businesses win large contracts, visit giantscourse.com for more info. Now back to our program.

Given the current crisis between Ukraine and Russia. What is happening overseas withAmazon in China. The building of military commands within Africa, it is a common question that people ask me, "Eric can I get contracts as a non citizen of the United States?"

My guest Today, Vicky Mangano reached out to me from Siciliy Italy stating that she was helping foreign companies win U.S. government contracts in Italy and she wanted to share her experiences. I thought wow this is incredible. So we discuss for the next 45 mins how she's doing that.

What websites she uses to register foreign entities, how to find international bids, and how you as an American can work overseas and make money.

I had a dinner with a military contractor that told me he usually finds the places he wants to visit first and then seeks out contracts to work there so that it is essentially paid for.

I didn't think that was a bad idea. So if you or someone you know wants to move to a foreign country, it may be worthwhile identifying contract opportunities there first so that at least you can be billable and travel at the same time.

Also worth noting that if you are a non citizen this is the episode to tune in.

For the last four years, I've interviewed all types of companies across various industries and sectors serving the government. But every now and then you will find someone doing something unique in the space.

Lynn Petrazzuolo of Avanti Corporation has a unique offering that she's been providing for the last 35 years, in short, she's provided federal agencies with environmental analysis that support their regulatory decisions. How much will it cost? What impacts could result? How might the environment benefit?and Can the industry meet those limits?

Solving environmental challenges for federal decision-makers is her passion. In fact, she's one of the very few people that I know outside of lawyers and doctors that use the degree she obtained in college for her life's journey.

She earned her BA in Environmental Sciences and went on to be an environmental scientist for others before finally launching out on her own. Today's guest Lynn shares the story of how she got into this field, why the work she does matter, how she overcome self doubt, the mentors she's had in the past, organizations that help shape her career, who does her work impact (and i'll give you a little hint: she specializes in the energy related industries) also what happens to her work when congress administration change political seats, how she reduced an EPA database search time from days to minutes and much much more

Stay tuned for this episode with our next giant, Lynn Petrazzuolo.

Today's guest, Staci Martineau is the government contract manager at Diener & Associates. Having been with the company for almost 16 years she is one of the original associates and has a plethora of stories to share regarding the good, bad and ugly side of accounting.

In today's conversation we discuss:

• Cost accounting
• Labor Distribution
• Job Status Reports
• Staying DCAA compliant

How having a cost accounting system alone does not make you compliant? I promise I know this stuff is not exciting for many. But it is absolutely necessary if you want to grow and scale. Staci has a similar personality as I do and she makes it as fun as we can possibly make a discussion on accounting.

Stay tuned at the end for a history lesson on government accounting that you probably didn't know.

I like to welcome our next giant, Staci Martineau.

In this episode, we have Marsha Lindquist, a Strategic Pricing Specialist at Granite Leadership Strategies, she is one of the most positive entrepreneurs, influential Government contracting and professional women consultants in the United States today. Marsha is an inspiring strategist changing the way her clients view their business.

Marsha Lindquist has built a tradition of quality consulting to Government contractors spanning more than 35 years. She dedicates her business expertise to providing inventive solutions designed specifically for each of her clients regardless of their size.

Marsha has developed a wide-ranging experience with Government contracting firms – most specifically for scientific and high technology companies. Marsha has served as a key business advisor. What distinguishes Marsha from others is her ability to provide innovative solutions to problems you face in today's dynamic business environment.

Ms. Lindquist has significant experience as a business proposal strategist and contracts professional. Her expertise includes pricing strategy development, Federal compliance, contracts & subcontracts management, cost accounting, pricing, business value proposition writing and creative cost strategy expertise.

Welcome our next Govcon Giant, Marsha Lindquist.