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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Judy Bradt, CEO of Summit Insight for a wide-ranging discussion on GovCon market conditions, especially those impacting smaller contractors. Topics discussed include: What to do to address the pending size standard changes for small businessThe value of creating an enduring (competitive) advantage, and why that advantage will need to morph as the market changesHow BD needs to morph and some of the tools it can useThe power of engagement and building relationships with customersThe role of thought leadershipThe power of LinkedIn as part of your strategySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Sharon Heaton, founder and CEO of SB LiftOff, an M&A firm specializing in small government contractors ($10M-$100M). Topics include: A brief discussion of Sharon's book: "Lift Off: 12 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business"A deep dive into the proposed SBA size standardsElements of a successful transactionIs your company really sellable?Owner expectations on valuationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brenda Crist of Lohfeld Consulting to discuss the new Lohfeld "Insight" book: From Prompts to Proposals: An AI Maturity Model. Topics include: What AI can do vs what humans should doTactical ways to apply AI in proposal developmentUsing AI to improve win strategySecurity guardrailsWhere the greatest ROI from AI comes fromSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Neil McDonnell, founder and president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce, a small contractor SME and advisor. Topics addressed include: Why subcontracting should precede prime contracting for small contractors until they reach a certain income levelThe value of strategic relationships in GovConWhy Neil only works Fed, not SLED, and why he encourages newbies and small contractors to focus on a single point of entry (office or operating division)The value of LinkedIn for sharing info, building relationships and getting on the radarSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Ross Wilkers, senior staff Reporter for Washington Technology. They discuss the recently released WT Top 100 contractors. Topics include: 11 new companies made the list for 2026Many were heavily focused on defense and law enforcementThe outlier was first timer Lancer Information Solutions, an SDVOSB focused 100% on civilian agenciesOne woman-led company, Intuitive Research and Technology Corp came in at #81Despite the OneGov initiative, the VAR/VAD community was well represented with Carahsoft at #25, ThunderCat at #43, DLT at #87 and CDW-G at #90. Wilker's article on SBAs Small Biz scorecard.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly, president of FedSubK and a former federal acquisition professional. Topics discussed include: The current market climate, especially issues impacting small contractorsThe problems facing companies with various set-aside statusFocusing on emphasizing your core capabilities, not yout set-aside statusCompliance issues like the CMMC approaching deadlineGrowth strategies for small contractorsThe power of storytelling and social mediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Kevin Plexico, executive vice president of Deltek. The interview focuses on Deltek's 17th annual Clarity study which covers a multitude of issues in the government contracting arena.  Issues discussed include: The impact of AI across the GovCon community and the investments contractors are making in AIThe overall impact of DOGE, especially on small contractorsAdapting to the new procurement regulations and the flexibility for contracting officersDiversification as a growth strategyTop issues for BD professionalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Katie Helwig, self-proclaimed OASIS+ nerd and founder/president of Mild Red LLC. The discussion focuses on the multiple changes on the proposal and bidding side of the market.  Topics include LPTA and HTRO methods of procurement, where each fits and why/when you need one of the otherUnderstanding that you need to influence before the RFQ goes outThe need for differentiated visibility, defining your area of expertise in terms that resonate with the customerOperating in an environment with 40% fewer contracting officers and why that makes visibility, being known, more importantSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the first show of year 19 for Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly of FedSubK for a candid discussion about the small business environment in GovCon. Topics include: 8(a) audits and the materials required by SBA, which resulted in the initial suspension of 1,000 companiesReduction of the percentage for set-asides, especially SD BsSome tactics for small contractor survivalA quick update on the Revolutionary FAR OverhaulSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Karl Feldman, managing partner of Hinge Marketing, to discuss the findings of the annual Hinge High Growth Study. Topics discussed include tactics used by high growth companies such as: Research to determine best marketing & BD tools and tacticsConferences and other live networking venuesThe role of social networking and LinkedInDeveloping SMEs and thought leadershipWhy smaller firms need to pay attention to marketing metricsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Martin Reeves of the BCG Henderson Institute returns to Amtower Off Center to discuss his latest book. "Like: The Button That Changed the World". Topics include:  The evolution of the Like buttonWhat the creation and adoption of the button reveals about technical innovationWhy the button is addictiveThe rise of the "Like" economyHow Like transformed advertising and marketingLike-facilitated influencer marketingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laura Ries, chairwoman of Reis Consulting and author of multiple business strategy books, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss her latest book: The Strategic Enemy. Topics include: Building your brand with an "enemy" in mindBranding mistakes entrepreneurs makeThe power of saying NO to maintain focusWhy brand extension does not workCreating a category where you can be first See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Evan Weisel, principal and co-founder of W2 Communications for a discussion on thought leadership in GovCon. Topics discussed include: What constitutes thought leadership for our marketThought leadership examples including white papers, case studies, data-based research and moreHow to consistently leverage thought leadershipDeveloping a thought leadership playbook for company SMEs and execsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Kaamil Khan, president of Makpar Corporation, a small IT services firm. Topics discussed include: Khan's journey to become president of the family owned business, leveraging his law degree and a natural talent for BDMakpar's experience with my LinkedIn training and the benefits thereofKahn's experience in the ACT-IAC Voyager program and the benefits of the programHow Makpar is navigating the current GovCon environment-Kahn's use of AI in his role as presidentSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, Kevin Plexico, SVP of Deltek, joins host Mark Amtower for a deep discussion on the current state of government contracting. Topics include: YTD contract activity vs FY 24, and how it has impacted spendingThe impact on SIs, VARs, small contractors and othersRegulatory changes and the future of GWACsThe new Deltek Clarity study (available free) which deals with many aspects on BD, capture and biddingWhat the "big beautiful budget bill" could mean to contractingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.