The Real Deal

The rules of federal contracting may be changing in a big way and for small businesses, the implications could reshape everything from competition and growth strategies to mergers and acquisitions.

On this episode of The Real Deal: Winning, Growing, and Exiting in GovCon, hosts Sarah Djamshidi of Speedshift Ventures and Cy Alba of PilieroMazza PLLC step away from their usual guest format for a candid conversation about the regulatory changes and market shifts that could redefine what it means to be a small business in GovCon.

At the center of the discussion is the SBA’s proposed overhaul of small business size standards, including potentially dramatic increases in eligibility thresholds and a shift toward employee-based measurements for certain industries. Could companies generating hundreds of millions in revenue soon qualify as small businesses? And what would that mean for smaller contractors already struggling to compete?

Sarah and Cy explore both sides of the equation: the potential for increased investment, new market entrants, greater flexibility for growing businesses, and more M&A activity—alongside concerns about intensified competition and whether truly small companies could get squeezed out.

The conversation also examines the Rule of Two, its application to task orders, and what happens when expanded size standards intersect with changing set-aside protections.

Their message for GovCon leaders? Don't build your future around a certification or size designation alone. As the market evolves, companies need to rethink their growth, teaming, and competitive strategies, strengthen their differentiators, and look beyond the traditional playbook.

If you're building, scaling, acquiring, or preparing to exit a GovCon business, this conversation offers important perspectives on the changes that could shape your next move.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.

To connect with Cy, visit his LinkedIn page here.

What do the boxing ring, Army aviation, cybersecurity, and building a successful GovCon company have in common? For Stan Oliver, President and CEO of DigiFlight, it comes down to preparation, resilience, taking care of your people, and always looking several moves ahead.

In this episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi chats with Stan, who shares the experiences that shaped his journey from aspiring Olympic boxer to engineer, Blackhawk pilot, Army leader, and founder of DigiFlight. He reflects on the lessons he carried from the boxing ring and the military into business—including the importance of preparing for uncertainty and staying tough when circumstances are outside your control.

That mindset was put to the test during a government shutdown when DigiFlight had roughly 80 employees. Rather than furlough his team, Stan used the company’s reserves to keep people working and support employees and their families—a decision whose impact can still be seen in team members who remain with the company decades later.

The conversation also explores what it takes to stay ahead in an evolving federal market, from anticipating post-quantum cryptography and AI security needs to launching Camelot Secure and embracing a “left of boom” approach to cybersecurity. Stan also gets candid about growing DigiFlight from two employees to more than 300, finding the right people, knowing when to take risks, and deciding whether to keep building, diversify, or eventually exit.

It’s a conversation about much more than building a company—it’s about building one that can take a punch, adapt, and keep moving forward.

Learn more about DigiFlight by visiting their webpage here.

In this episode of The Real Deal, Cy Alba sits down with Mark Drever, CEO of Xcelerate Solutions, for a candid conversation about building, scaling, and leading a successful GovCon business.

The discussion walks through Mark’s career journey, from his early days in government consulting to the launch of Xcelerate and its growth into a major player in the federal market. Mark discusses challenges he faced as an owner and CEO, how today’s federal environment is shaping GovCon growth, and what advice he would give to companies entering the sector now.

They also explore the importance of prior relationships and mission understanding before starting a business, how commercial companies can break into federal contracting, and what entrepreneurs should do to build meaningful connections with customers, mentors, and partners. The conversation also touches on leadership, sacrifice, private equity, M&A, building a business with an exit in mind, and what it really means to run your company like a business.

For founders, executives, and growth-minded GovCon leaders, this episode offers a practical perspective from someone who has been on both sides of the build-and-scale journey.

To connect with Mark, follow him on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.

To connect with Cy, visit his LinkedIn page here.

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Cy Alba talks with Cesar Nader. 

From U.S. Marine to GovCon CEO, Cesar Nader has steered X Corp Solutions (XCorp) through a bold evolution; starting with language services and expanding into intel, IT, cyber, and now AI and Disruptive Technologies. In this no-nonsense conversation with Cy Alba, he" keeps it real" and breaks down the three phases of federal contracting—startup, growth, and maturity—and the unique hurdles of each: cash flow, talent, and writing proposals that don’t just check boxes, but win with a compelling end state.

Cesar pulls back the curtain on the strategy behind XCorp’s rise to one of the most successful small businesses of his time: a simple, repeatable formula powered by relentless networking and integrity with government partners. He dives into hot-button realities—“incumbinitis,” when to protest (or not), subcontracting vs. priming, and how JVs can accelerate growth. He shares the secret formula for small businesses to follow.

But beyond the mechanics, he makes clear: culture and leadership are the real drivers of M&A value.

Looking forward, Cesar is bullish on Disruptive Tech like blockchain, quantum, 5G, AI, and even space tech as the next frontiers; and his advice for entrepreneurs is timeless: stay curious, stay agile, and stay consistent.

To connect with Cesar, follow him on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.

To connect with Cy, visit his LinkedIn page here.

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi and David Blackburn chat with Alex Duan, Co-founder and CEO of Dynamo Technologies. Alex shares the raw story of why he started Dynamo in 2012, coming off a failed startup, with a baby on the way and little money in his pocket. From those beginnings, how he and his Partner built Dynamo into a thriving digital transformation and services company supporting more than 20 federal customers across 30 states with expertise in IT modernization, data governance, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

We dive into the lessons Alex learned moving Dynamo from subcontractor to prime, navigating joint ventures, financing challenges, and adapting to survive and scale in the GovCon market. He offers candid advice for founders and CEOs about why growth has to be a priority and the discipline it takes to carve out time for it.

Alex also teases Dynamo’s newest venture: Holokai, an AI platform spun out of their R&D practice to help enterprises drive security and compliance as they navigate complex digital landscapes. Dynamo is hosting an event next week to showcase Holokai. You can attend and learn more here.

This conversation is a real look at what it takes to start, scale, and sustain a GovCon business, from embracing the startup mindset and lucky breaks to finding new opportunities in AI and beyond.

To connect with Alex, follow him on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.

What does it really take to build a thriving federal contracting business from the ground up? In this episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi and Cy Alba sit down with Ganesh Natarajan, CEO of Ennoble First, to uncover the realities behind growing a government contracting company.

Ganesh shares his journey from leaving a senior role at Lockheed Martin to bootstrapping his own firm, starting with zero, building trust, and landing that critical first customer. He reveals the five P’s for growth (People, Partners, Process, Performance, and Patience), the importance of staying in your lane, and why chasing shiny objects can sink your business. Along the way, he discusses challenges from finance to legal structure, moving from subcontractor to prime without losing your edge, building IP and valuation strategically, and why resilience, relationships, and advisory boards matter most.

Packed with hard-earned advice, this conversation offers real-world lessons on scaling, strategy, and staying true to your core strengths—plus why courage and preparation are the greatest assets for any business leader.

To connect with Ganesh, follow him on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.

To connect with Cy, visit his LinkedIn page here.

In the third episode of The Real Deal: Winning, Growing, and Exiting in GovCon, Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, and David Blackburn sit down with Gary Daigle from RealmOne to unpack the real playbook behind sustained growth, strategic acquisitions, and seamless integrations in the federal contracting space.

To connect with Gary, follow him on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.

In the second episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, and David Blackburn have a conversation with Gautam Ijoor, CEO of Alpha Omega, to uncover the strategic blueprint behind the company's meteoric rise—from a startup to a $226M powerhouse in less than nine years. Gautam shares the internal building blocks that made Alpha Omega’s growth sustainable, including redefining company values, getting the right people in the right roles, and leading with a passionate "why." He dives into how visionary planning, both for the present and the future, fuels enterprise value, drives culture, and prepares the business for bold moves like acquisitions and private equity partnerships.

With candid insights on market headwinds, strategic M&A, and how CEOs can (and should) be ambassadors for their company’s mission, this conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking and intentional leadership in the federal contracting space.

To connect with Gautam, follow him on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.

The Real Deal is a new Peel series created by Speedshift Ventures and PilieroMazza PLLC. Episodes will explore the fast-evolving world of M&A in the government contracting space. This series dives deep into the realities facing buyers, sellers, advisors, and operators—unpacking the trends, risks, and decisions behind successful (and sometimes failed) deals. In this premiere episode, Sarah Djamshidi, President and Managing Partner at Speedshift Ventures and Cy Alba, Partner at PilieroMazza PLLC unravel the complex dynamics shaping mergers and acquisitions in government contracting today.

Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, is a licensed investment banker with over two decades of experience advising more than 300 government contractors. She shares invaluable insight into what makes a business truly ready to sell in 2025—from strong margins and pipeline visibility to key positions on vehicles like GSA and OASIS+. Sarah also walks through the biggest deal-breakers she sees, including due diligence blind spots, integration missteps, cultural mismatches, and overreliance on founder relationships. Her approach emphasizes strategic preparation and risk awareness, helping sellers avoid costly surprises.

Cy Alba, a partner at PilieroMazza, offers deep legal perspective on the evolving regulatory landscape. He breaks down the rising importance of 800-171 and CMMC compliance, sharing why early transparency and risk mitigation are critical in preserving deal value. Sai explains how AI usage in federal proposals is becoming less controversial under the current administration, and how OTAs and teaming with OEMs are boosting valuation potential. He also addresses how contractors should respond when facing a de-scoping modification or a termination for convenience, laying out legal protections, proactive strategies, and real-world examples of how to protect your interests.

This episode is packed with insights and actionable guidance for government contractors navigating the buy-sell landscape in a year defined by scrutiny, compliance, and opportunity. Whether you’re preparing to exit or preparing to buy, you’ll walk away better equipped to evaluate readiness, manage risk, and close with confidence.

To connect with Sarah, visit her LinkedIn page here.