Shawn Myers’ Post

Thanks to GTSC's Homeland Security Today for republishing my recent article about the potential creation of a new contracting preference program for veteran-owned small businesses. If you didn’t catch the original article, click below to learn more! #govcon #governmentcontracting #federalcontracting #veterans #VOSB #SDVOSB #veteranowned

I recently evaluated data available on USASpending, and found there to be very few sole source awards given to SDVOSBs and VOSBs. If this bill becomes law, it will be quite beneficial to SBA Certified VOSBs. Koprince states, “Section 861 would create a sole source authority much closer to that available under the 8(a) Program, which omits a “rule of two” requirement. Unsurprisingly, information available on the SBA’s Data HUB shows that 8(a) sole source awards far outstrip sole source awards under socioeconomic programs containing a “rule of two” requirement. (And the VA, which is the only agency permitted to award SDVOSB sole source contracts without a “rule of two” restriction, awards more SDVOSB sole source contracts than all other agencies combined).”

Adams and Reese Government Affairs Advisor Laura DiBella, MPE was a guest speaker on global #aerospace defense contracting opportunities at the 2024 American Small Business Contracting Summit, held in #DC. The Summit, organized by the U.S. Defense Leadership Forum, was attended by hundreds of #smallbiz connecting with representatives from 17 #federal agencies. The global Aerospace and Defense market has grown at an 11.5% compound annual growth rate in the past year. Aerospace and Defense is now the number one industry in #Florida - the official Gateway to #Space - and many states around the country are looking to the Space Florida model to help grow their industrial base. Read more >> https://lnkd.in/dNNc6z-i #aerospaceindustry #aviationindustry #spaceindustry #defenseindustry #smallbusiness #economicdevelopment

ALL, Here is a link to HR 7401 Contract our Veterans bill: https://lnkd.in/eqtdbHFh Have you heard of it? If passed it will: • Create 30,000-50,000 new SDVOSBs. (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses) • Generate 150,000 - 250,000 new veteran jobs. • Strengthen the DOD's supply chain with thousands of new, committed veteran vendors. • Drive down prices at the DOD through increased competition. • Enhance recruiting and retention efforts by offering business opportunities to prospective recruits with the largest buyer in America – the DOD. • Significantly reduce veteran suicide rates by providing meaningful employment opportunities. What can you do help? Get the word out, email/call members of the House Armed Services & Small Business Committees: https://lnkd.in/eszkixGX https://lnkd.in/eubYQppN (Republicans) https://lnkd.in/eqG2iZHu and tell them to support/the bill. Pass the word to all your friends and fellow veterans.

Did you know that a SBIR Phase III is just a FAR contract that uses SBIR Authorities? Did you know that any and all KOs with warrants can award a SBIR Phase III? Did you know that KOs do not need SBIR office support to award a Phase III? Check out the Navy SBIR Phase III Guidebook for details. https://lnkd.in/es8SSqGa #sbir #governmentcontracting #federalcontracting #contractopportunities #sttr #govcon Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Navy SBIR/STTR Transition Program (Navy STP) United States Air Force

This is a great #article describing the need for contracting to grow the fleet and #fleet #capacity. Additionally, a look at how to improve the contracting process which can improve #timeliness, #effectiveness, and #efficiency without sacrificing due diligence and #quality. To harness the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations's call we need to #GetReal and #GetBetter, and we will, the #nation will meet these #challenges head on. #mai #marineacoustics #industrialbase #innovation #technology #shipbuilding #readiness US Navy #navy #usnavy #usn #submarines #CNO #adapt #evolve Doug Robb Kate Robb Defense News There is no substitute for fleet capacity. But generating it depends on healthy #partnerships between the #government and #industry. After decades of corporate consolidation, the pendulum now swings toward consensus that the U.S. #defense industrial base must once again expand. Recent efforts by the United States Department of Defense and US Congress reflect this new course and a desire to attract new companies that have not historically contributed to the defense #mission. While these #strategic frameworks are valuable for shaping the department’s vision, translating them into action also requires adjusting the underlying tactical and administrative processes that bind ideas and obligations. That means turning attention to how the Navy contracts for supplies and services. To many, contracting remains a perceived acquisition obstacle: The #Federal Acquisition Regulation, or #FAR — canonically referred to as the #contracting bible — includes the phrase “shall not,” “may not” and “will not” 1,379 times. Nevertheless, four contracting policy alterations can complement the broader #acquisition change taking place and accelerate delivery of fleet capability and capacity. https://lnkd.in/gMtfjhqe

Let's talk about contracting!

I was thrilled to co-author this piece with Doug Robb in Defense News on ways to help the Navy contracting workforce meet the demands of our current threat environment.   Because here’s a hard dose of truth no one is talking about: The Navy has a contracting problem. Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with the hard-working contracting personnel themselves. We’re pushing a culture of change and innovation across the DoD but a disconnect persists between DoD strategic messaging and how we are equipping (or not) our contracting officers. The entire acquisition workforce is getting new guides and frameworks and tools to "move at the speed of relevance" but Navy contracting officers still have...........the FAR/DFARS/NMCARS. That simply doesn't work. It's like the whole team is trying to build a LEGO set but the contracting officers have the wrong build manual. I lived this in 2017 while working a rapid acquisition for directed energy. As I sat across from my program manager one afternoon, she nearly threw the FAR at me in frustration as I internally struggled to bridge the gap between everything I had been taught and how I was now being asked to move, stretch, and think – with no new tools, save my own wits – in ways that were completely foreign to me so that we could get capability to the fleet. I like to think I was a pretty creative and forward-leaning contracting officer but make no mistake, that was a hard moment even for me. And if you’re not lucky enough to have a contracting officer with the ability, resources, and leadership support to think creatively, what comes out the other end these days will be a mystery and who knows how long it will take to get there. Let’s do better for our contracting officers and, in turn, for the fleet. US Navy Office of the Secretary of the Navy Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Marine Corps Systems Command Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Office of Naval Research

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has announced plans to hold contractors accountable for poor performance and misconduct. Speaking at the WEST 2024 conference, Del Toro emphasized the need for a culture shift in the industry, focusing on infrastructure-building rather than just maximizing profits. The Department of the Navy's Office of the Counsel will actively seek out contractors who exhibit chronic poor performance or engage in misconduct. The goal is not only to hold individuals responsible for their actions but also to deter others from similar behavior, ensuring that taxpayers receive the value they deserve. Del Toro's initiative aims to strengthen the shipbuilding industrial base and improve the timely delivery of platforms and capabilities. While specific companies were not mentioned, this announcement underscores the US Navy's commitment to ensuring accountability and driving excellence in defense contracting. #USNavy #DefenseIndustry #ContractorAccountability #NavySecretary #IndustryNews #PerformanceExcellence