As federal budgets tighten and scrutiny increases in FY’26, pricing strategy is no longer just about being the lowest bidder, it’s about demonstrating best value. In this episode, Teresa is joined by award winning GovCon expert, Melinda Colon, who breaks down how federal buyers actually evaluate pricing and why higher-priced bids often win over cheaper ones.

We dive into what “best value” really means in practice, how agencies balance cost, compliance, performance, and risk, and the red flags that signal a contractor may have priced too low to remain compliant or profitable. Melinda also highlights the most common pricing mistakes contractors make and how to avoid them before they cost you the award.

Whether you’re new to federal contracting or planning ahead for FY’26, this conversation delivers practical insight you can apply immediately.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:38 Meet Melinda Colon: GovCon Expert
02:04 Melinda's Journey into Government Contracting
03:48 Understanding Federal Pricing Strategies
04:55 Why Federal Buyers Choose Higher Priced Bids
09:30 Common Pricing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
20:48 Building Long-Term Relationships in GovCon
22:52 Practical Tips for Improving Pricing Strategy
28:47 Legacy Builders Unleashed Podcast
31:02 Conclusion and Farewell

Connect with Melinda Colon on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/melinda-colon

Visit the Your GovCon Opportunity Matrix website:

https://www.yourgovconopportunitymatrix.com

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, Teresa is joined by Patricia Young, Executive Director of the Hazel-Pruitt Armory, home of the Hub for Innovators, Veterans, and Entrepreneurs (HIVE) at Shenandoah University. Patricia walks us through the mission and impact of the HIVE, an emerging powerhouse for innovation, veteran engagement, and entrepreneurial growth in the region. She shares how the HIVE’s services and resources not only enrich the university, but also strengthen the surrounding communities through collaboration, education, and opportunity.

Patricia discusses key initiatives available to students, veterans, and local residents, highlighting how the HIVE supports technological advancement, research development, and inclusive innovation. She also outlines the long-term goals for the center, including expanding partnerships, enhancing community programming, and deepening its role as a regional innovation hub. Listeners will learn how to get involved, ways to support the mission, and details on upcoming events they can join or champion from afar.

Tune in for an inspiring look into how the HIVE is cultivating the next generation of leaders, creators, and problem-solvers, right at the intersection of community and innovation.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:34 Guest Introduction: Patricia Young
01:35 Patricia's Professional Journey
07:31 The Hive at Shenandoah University
20:58 Community and Veteran Engagement
27:00 Upcoming Events and Opportunities
29:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Patricia Young on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/patricia-young-2006954

Visit the Hub for Innovator, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE):

https://www.su.edu/experience/hub-for-innovators-veterans-and-entrepreneurs-hive/

In this episode, Teresa talks with Evan Henris, Vice President of Credit and Risk Management at Parabilis, about what really happens when the federal government shuts down and why he states “Essential work continues, and small businesses will still be paid” isn’t the whole truth. Drawing on his experience as both a business owner and financial leader, Evan breaks down how shutdowns disrupt cash flow, delay payments, and strain the small businesses that keep federal operations moving.

Evan shares a practical roadmap for navigating government shutdowns, from managing loans and maintaining vendor relationships to diversifying revenue streams and leveraging personal assets to stay afloat. He discusses the importance of financial planning, resilience, and trusted partnerships, offering actionable steps business owners can take today to prepare for future uncertainty. Whether you work with federal contracts or simply want to strengthen your business against external shocks, this episode is full of grounded, real-world advice for staying steady when Washington stalls.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast 

00:41 Meet Evan Henris: Vice President of Risk and Compliance 

01:01 Navigating Government Shutdowns: History and Practical Advice

02:43 Evan's Background as a Business Owner 

04:39 Challenges Faced by Small Businesses During Shutdowns 

12:09 Strategies for Small Business Resilience 

16:50 Practical Steps for Financial Management During Shutdowns 

23:09 Navigating Loan Payments During Federal Shutdowns 

23:54 Building Strong Business Relationships 

26:58 Diversifying Revenue Streams 

32:04 Preparing for Future Shutdowns 

35:50 Leveraging Personal Assets for Business Survival 

38:11 Seeking Expert Help and Resources 

40:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Evan Henris on LinkedIn:

⁠linkedin.com/in/evan-henris-483b0574

In this episode, Teresa talks with Ashley Duwel, CEO of Duwel Dev, and Natasha Velez, CEO of Strategic Solutions, to unpack the real value and strategy behind teaming and partnerships in the world of government contracting. Too many small businesses think they can “go it alone,” but Ashley and Natasha explain why teaming is often the difference between staying small and scaling up.

They share real-world examples of how strategic partnerships have transformed opportunities into wins (and lessons learned from the near misses), along with candid advice for protecting your business in teaming agreements. From identifying the right partners to setting clear boundaries and expectations, our guests lay out a practical roadmap for collaboration that benefits everyone involved.

If you’re a contractor wondering when to team, how to find the right fit, or how to make sure your partnership is fair and future-focused, this conversation is your guide. Tune in for insight, inspiration, and actionable steps to turn connections into contracts and learn how to reach out to Ashley and Natasha to explore teaming opportunities of your own.

Connect with Ashely Duwell and Natasha Velez on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/govconhacks

linkedin.com/in/natasha-velez35

Listen to the GovCon Hacks Podcast:

govconhacks.com 

Visit the NVS Strategic Solutions Website:

nvsstrategicsolutions.com 

In this episode, Teresa talks with Evan Henris, Vice President of Credit and Risk Management at Parabilis, about what really happens when the federal government shuts down and why he states “Essential work continues, and small businesses will still be paid” isn’t the whole truth. Drawing on his experience as both a business owner and financial leader, Evan breaks down how shutdowns disrupt cash flow, delay payments, and strain the small businesses that keep federal operations moving.

Evan shares a practical roadmap for navigating government shutdowns, from managing loans and maintaining vendor relationships to diversifying revenue streams and leveraging personal assets to stay afloat. He discusses the importance of financial planning, resilience, and trusted partnerships, offering actionable steps business owners can take today to prepare for future uncertainty. Whether you work with federal contracts or simply want to strengthen your business against external shocks, this episode is full of grounded, real-world advice for staying steady when Washington stalls.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:41 Meet Evan Henris: Vice President of Risk and Compliance
01:01 Navigating Government Shutdowns: History and Practical Advice
02:43 Evan's Background as a Business Owner
04:39 Challenges Faced by Small Businesses During Shutdowns
12:09 Strategies for Small Business Resilience
16:50 Practical Steps for Financial Management During Shutdowns
23:09 Navigating Loan Payments During Federal Shutdowns
23:54 Building Strong Business Relationships
26:58 Diversifying Revenue Streams
32:04 Preparing for Future Shutdowns
35:50 Leveraging Personal Assets for Business Survival
38:11 Seeking Expert Help and Resources
40:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Evan Henris on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/evan-henris-483b0574

In this episode, Teresa speaks with Hannah Romick, CEO at Conscient Strategies for a candid conversation on leadership, culture, and navigating change in the federal marketplace. Hannah explains why culture is inseparable from performance, especially in periods of transition, and how reconnecting to purpose can restore clarity and motivation for leaders and teams under pressure.

She shares her approach to consulting and business transformation, highlights real client success stories, and breaks down how she markets intentionally to find the “right fit” partners. Hannah closes with practical encouragement for leaders and change-makers working to build resilient, impact-driven organizations in high-stakes environments.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:39 Meet Hannah Romick: CEO of Conscient Strategies
01:59 The Importance of Leadership and Culture
03:55 Navigating Changes in the Federal Marketplace
07:55 Reconnecting to Purpose and Staying Motivated
10:39 Challenges and Strategies for Business Transformation
12:55 Hannah's Approach to Consulting and Client Success Stories
16:20 Marketing and Finding the Right Fit
22:42 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Connect with Hannah Romick on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/hannah-romick-307181

Visit the Conscient Strategies website:

conscientstrategies.com/ 

In this episode, Teresa talks with Judy Bradt, CEO of Summit Insight and a leading expert in government sales strategy, to explore the power of micro engagements; the art of staying top-of-mind and building trust when deals are stalled, budgets are frozen, or it's just not the right time.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:38 Guest Introduction: Judy Bradt
01:46 Judy's Journey into Government Contracting
03:21 The Human Element in Business Relationships
04:43 Micro Engagement Mastery
07:37 Building Trust Through Micro Engagements
12:44 Effective Communication Strategies
20:56 Practical Tips for Micro Engagements
26:39 The Power of Gratitude in Business
28:44 Conclusion and Farewell

Whether you're in the private sector or selling to the government, Judy’s insights will help you play the long game and position yourself for success, even when no one's buying.

Connect with Judy Bradt on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/judybradt

Visit the Summit Insight website:

GrowFedBiz.com 

In this episode, Teresa sits down with Fernando Machado, Managing Principal and Chief Information Security Officer at Cybersec Investments, to explore the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity compliance. Fernando shares his expertise on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), breaking down why it matters and how it impacts organizations working with the Department of Defense.

Whether you’re new to CMMC or preparing for certification, this conversation offers clear insights and actionable guidance to help your organization stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
00:33 Meet Fernando Machado: Cybersecurity Expert
01:25 The Evolution and Importance of CMMC
01:44 Understanding CMMC Assessments
04:20 Phase Rollout and Certification Requirements
11:01 Steps to Achieve CMMC Compliance
13:57 Challenges and Financial Considerations
18:34 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Connect with Fernando Machado on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/fernando-machado-cissp-cism-cca-ccp-5b5581124

Visit the Cybersec Investments website:

cybersecinvestments.com 

In this special live streamed episode, Teresa talks with Courtney Fairchild, President and CEO of Global Services, a leader in helping businesses successfully navigate the complex world of GSA Schedules for over two decades. Courtney shares her expert insights on the evolving procurement landscape and what recent changes at the GSA mean for both current and prospective contractors.

Episode Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:35 Guest Introduction: Courtney Fairchild
02:18 Overview of Global Services
02:57 Changes in GSA Procurement
07:30 GSA Schedule Compliance
11:24 Opportunities and Challenges in GovCon
23:29 Q&A Session
24:42 Advice for Government and Industry Partners
32:40 Closing Remarks

Connect with Courtney Fairchild on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/globalservices

Visit the Global Services website:

globalservicesinc.com 

In this episode, Teresa welcomes back Chris Griesedieck of Venable LLP to break down the proposed overhaul to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), with a spotlight on Part 6. They discuss what these changes mean for contractors, especially small businesses, and explore the evolving application of the Rule of Two in task orders. Whether you're a seasoned prime or a growing small business, this conversation delivers valuable insights on how to stay compliant and competitive in the shifting GovCon landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:38 Guest Introduction: Chris Griesedieck
02:48 Discussion on FAR Overhaul
03:45 Implications of FAR Part 6 Changes
12:36 Concerns and Optimism for Small Businesses
24:29 Rule of Two and Task Orders
30:10 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Connect with Chris Griesedieck on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/chris-griesedieck-jr-4226b544

Visit the Venable Website:

https://www.venable.com/