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