Archives page

Posts Tagged ‘mentor-protege’

2/14: GTSC ESBG: What’s Ahead for Small Business at DHS in 2020?

Please join GTSC’s Emerging Small Business Group and Women in Homeland Security for

What’s Ahead for Small Business at DHS in 2020

Aligning Small Business Capabilities with DHS Mission Needs

GTSC and WHS are showing you the love on Valentine’s Day! The Government Technology & Services Coalition’s Emerging Small Business Group and Women in Homeland Security invite you for a look at the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Small business specialists from across the components will join us for a discussion of their plans for 2020, the DHS Mentor Protege Program, and GSA will join us for a brief on Category Management. GTSC will also provide a copy of our latest paper on small business opportunities in light of Category Management.

WHEN: February 14, 2020

10:00 am – 12:15 pm

WHERE: Arlington, VA

REGISTRATION is required. This event is open to the homeland security community.

AGENDA

9:30 am Registration and networking

10:00 am Welcome & Introductions

Jon Ostrowski, COO, Government Technology & Services Coalition

Earl Holland, Chair, Government Technology & Services Coalition Emerging Small Business Group (ESBG)

10:15 am The Mentor Protégé Program

Sharon M Davis, Director, Manager, Protégé Program, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

10:30 am Panel: The Small Business Outlook at DHS

Robyn Towles, C&P Division Director, Transportation Security Administration

Robert Keegan, Small Business Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Anita Perkins, Small Business Specialist, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Michelene Rangel, Management & Program Analyst, Procurement and Planning Oversight, USCG

Denise L. Richardson, Procurement Analyst, Small Business & Industry Liaison Programs, USCG

11:45 am Category Management Update

Stacy Swann, National Account Manager, GSA Federal Acquisition Service

Distribution of GTSC Small Business Opportunities Paper

12:15 pm Adjourn

The New Paradigm of the Government Market: Plan, Prepare, Position, Partner

I recently attended a small business Match Making event sponsored by the Government Technology Services Coalition for small business and prime contractors to meet, greet and exchange information on each other in hopes of identifying potential government contracting opportunities. This event showcased a three person panel of small business program office directors from the Small Disadvantage Business Offices of three different agencies.

I have attended many of these match-making sessions and recently asked the question in one of my Linkedin discussion groups: is attending these events valuable time well spent or a waste of time? I received various comments both positive and negative. However, I must say that this particular event was one of the best that I have attended and my reason is based on the content that the government panelist shared with the small businesses.

There is no question about the changing state of the government contracting market. There is definitely a new paradigm. The landscape has and is continuing to change significantly.

What does this mean for small business? Well, it means that they are being presented with opportunities greater than they have ever been presented within the history of small business contracting in the federal market.

With the implementation of the President’s Job Act coupled with new legislation and regulation that are favoring increased small business participation for contracts and better oversight on Prime/sub-contracting relationships, larger and longer multiple year contracts are being offered to small businesses. To support these initiatives Agencies are increasing their market research activity by sending out more RFI’s and Sources Sought announcements with the intent of identifying more small business to contract with.

Agency Collaboration and the need to reduce redundancy and budget cuts are responsible for this new trend. With that said, the small business community has to change its thinking and their desire to go it alone when pursuing contracts.

The main theme presented by the government panelist was the lack of preparation by the small business community in pursuing contract opportunities. Some specifics were:

Presenting too many capabilities “jack of all trade” scenarios
Limited knowledge of agency mission
Inability to clearly present their core skills and solutions relevant to the agency mission
Not responding or poorly responding to RFI’s and Sources Sought announcements
Failure to present their value proposition as it relates to the agency request for support

Considering these things, the take away from this event boils down to the following:

Plan

Plan by performing an internal assessment of your company, who are you, what business are you really in, what are you best qualified to do – not what you want to do. Do your market research to establish where your skills and solutions best fit the agency problems you have targeted and refine your pitch based on your research and knowledge of the agency’s mission.

Prepare

Prepare by creating a compelling story of who you are and why your company is best suited to solve the agency problems based on your research and understanding of the agency mission. Responses to the RFI’s and Sources Sought should be focused on how your skills or solutions support the agency mission. Follow the congressional legislative and regulatory initiatives, and agency news. This information will provide you with great insight into the agency mission and the problems they are encountering in carrying out their mission

Position

Use your research to position your company. The more information you know about the legislative, regulatory initiatives and agency news, the easier it will be for you to communicate with agency program managers and department heads. The more knowledge you can share with them will provide them with a level of comfort that you have a understanding of their issues. This will be the basis of establishing a rapport which will lead to trust.

Partner

Performing a formal assessment on potential partners you have identified to team with is essential. The dynamics of the market demand that you spend ample time to do this. There are more contract opportunities that are multiple 8-10 year contracts and this requires thorough knowledge of who you will be spending that time with.

Compatibility, integrity, culture, vision, goals and trust will be the key factors for you to assess and consider in your selection. These criteria should be used regardless of whether or are considering a Prime or subcontractor relationship. Casual teaming is not the best way to go in the new market.

Contributing Author

Earl S. Holland III is the President and CEO, Growth Strategy Consultants, Strategic Advisor with the Government Technology Services Coalition and former Vice President of the Washington Chapter of the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals. You can reach him at: earl@growthstrategyconsultants.com www.growthstrategyconsultants.com

GTSC on 2013 GovCon Re-Cap for GCW

Government Contracting Weekly hosted their 2013 re-cap of the significant events from the world of Federal contracting. On the panel were: Stan Soloway, President & CEO, PSC; Kristina Tanasichuk, Founder & CEO, Government Technology & Services Coalition; and Michael Fischetti, Executive Director, NCMA.

View the panel discussion here.

GTSC & Government Contracting Weekly Launch “The Mentors”

Washington, D.C. – December 4, 2013 – Government Contracting Weekly, the only television program devoted to winning government contracts, and the Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) today launched, “The Mentors,” a Special Award Program and Strategic Partnership to recognize companies that mentor and contribute to the success of small businesses.

“Since our inception, the members of GTSC have wanted to recognize and encourage those who are improving the environment, expertise and effectiveness of the private and public sectors to assure that collectively we achieve our mission of protecting the nation,” said Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO and founder of GTSC, “we believe that this award program is long-overdue and highlights that there are many tremendous people and companies working in partnership to provide the latest innovation, professionalism and expertise to our Federal partners.”

The awards program will recognize and salute government contractors for their leadership and concrete actions in assisting small government contracting firms through mentoring, training, inspiration, teaming and cooperation. “We believe that mentoring is critical to the contracting community. Large firms that mentor small companies play a critical role in saving their Federal clients money and time, commit to putting action behind the mantra of bringing “innovation and creativity” to the Federal mission and bring a higher level of professionalism to the contracting community. We are proud to recognize their contributions,” said Richard Nathan, CEO, AOC Key Solutions, owner of the Government Contracting Weekly television program.

Government Contracting Weekly premiered in September, 2013, and has received widespread critical acclaim from the government contracting community. Over 125 senior executives from government and industry have made appearances to provide unique domain knowledge and expertise regarding the keys to winning government contracts. “The alliance between GTSC and Government Contracting Weekly will provided heightened visibility to all of the support provided by large businesses to their small business counterparts,” said Jim McCarthy, owner and technical director of AOC Key Solutions and host/moderator of the program.

The award nominations process will open December 5^th and accept nominations from both GTSC members and the broader small business contracting community. Awardees will be announced weekly starting in early 2014 and recognized at a special awards celebration in the spring. For more information on the awards, visit: www.GTSCoalition.com/mentorawards

The Chertoff Group, Dickstein Shapiro, GSIS 360 and the International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM), Linden Resources and the Security Industry Association are GTSC’s other strategic partners. More information on each is available at www.GTSCoalition.com.

-###-

The Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) is a nonprofit, non-partisan 501(c)(6) association of companies that create, develop and implement solutions for the federal homeland and national security sector. Our mission is two-fold: first, to provide exceptional advocacy, capacity building, partnership opportunities and marketing in the Federal security space for small and mid-sized companies. Second, to support and assist our government partners achieve their critical missions with the highest integrity; best and most innovative technologies; and results-based, quality products and services to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from any terrorist attack or natural disaster. For more information on these mentors and the Government Technology & Services Coalition, please visit www.GTSCoalition.com.

Government Contracting Weekly is a TV show devoted to winning government contracts, produced and brought to you by AOC Key Solutions, Inc.. The show airs every Sunday at 7am on the DC Metro CBS affiliate WUSA9. Learn more about GCW atwww.governmentcontractingweekly.com. AOC Key Solutions, Inc. (KSI) KSI provides proposal and business development consulting services to federal contractors. Since 1983, KSI has helped its clients win or retain over $122 billion in Government contracts by providing the Key to Winning. KSI employs in-house consulting professionals supplemented by more than 275 associates and subject matter experts. KSI consulting services include marketing assessment, strategic advisory, third party performance assessments, proposal development and technical writing services. Learn more about their services atwww.aockeysolutions.com.

So You Want to be a Protege Company? Top 4 Things to Know

Peggy Butler-Mason
Subcontracting and Mentor-Protégé Program Manager, Army Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of Defense

As the subcontracting and mentor-protégé program manager for the Army Office of Small Business Programs, I participate on the Army’s Services Strategy Panel (ASSP) and Strategic Sourcing Panel to facilitate more small business opportunities. I’ve been working with small businesses for over 15 years and manage 15 active mentor-protégé relationships valued at over $11 million.

At the recent GTSC mentor-protégé session, I was asked what qualities define a successful protégé firm. After some thought, it really boils down to the following:

1. The protégé (and the mentor for that matter) must be truly committed to the program. Protégé companies must be willing to invest time, people and resources to make a relationship successful. There are no guarantees of revenue or success.

2. The protégé and their employees must have a vision for success. A company’s culture is very important to its success – when working with a mentor, all of the employees in the protégé firm need to understand clearly the goals, the benefit of the relationship, roles and responsibilities and a clear definition of “success.”

3. Communication. Nearly everyone I speak to touts the importance of communication for the success of a mentor protégé relationship. This goes many ways: mentor to protégé, protégé to mentor, mentor/protégé to client, protégé company to employees. Where there is no communication or explanation there is room for misunderstanding and even mischief. Communicate early, often and constantly.

4. Grow a thick skin. Part of the reason for the mentor-protégé relationship is for the protégé to learn. No company can do that if they are unwilling to accept criticism, reassess their own performance and learn new lessons. Sometimes these lessons come easily, often times they do not. Accepting criticism is a critical part of not only being a successful protégé but more importantly getting the most out of the program.

July 16: Mentor-Protege Programs: The Who, What, Why’s & How’s

The Government Technology & Services Coalition invites you to join us for a detailed look at mentor-protege programs. Government officials from several Mentor Protege programs will discuss their success and challenges; several large mentor firms will discuss their experiences, what they look for in a protege and why they are engaged in the program; a number of proteges will also discuss their experiences and offer advice to those interested in forming mentor protege relationships. Companies interested or looking for a mentor protege — whether a large or small firm — are welcome to contact us for matchmaking at the event.

Confirmed Government Speakers:

Kevin Boshears, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Mr. Boshears was named Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in May, 2003. He is responsible for the overall implementation of the Department’s small business procurement program. Prior to this, Mr. Boshears was named Director of the Treasury Department’s OSDBU in February, 1999 where he had served as the Acting Director since August, 1998. He previously served in the same office as a Procurement Analyst since June, 1995 and was responsible for providing guidance to the Small Business Specialists located in Treasury’s twelve bureaus. He also worked on Treasury’s small business website and represented Treasury at various governmental, congressional, and trade association outreach activities. Mr. Boshears brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the procurement field, having served as a Contracting Officer for the Justice Department prior to his small business duties at the Treasury Department. Mr. Boshears is a well known instructor in the federal small business procurement arena. On numerous occasions, he has conducted training courses, made presentations, and handled briefings on contracting with small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned small, HUBZone small, and service disabled veteran-owned small business concerns. Mr. Boshears currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Directors’ Interagency Council, originally elected to the position for FY 2001 and re-elected for both FY 2002 and FY 2003. On May 9 -10, 2002, Mr. Boshears was presented with the Frances Perkins Vanguard Award for Exemplary Utilization of Women-Owned Small Businesses by a Federal Procurement Official and the Gold Star Award for Excellence by the U. S. Small Business Administration. He holds a BBA degree from the College of William and Mary, and earned his MBA from Liberty University.

Peggy Butler-Mason, Deputy Director, Subcontracting and Mentor Protege Program Manager, U.S. Army, Office of Small Business Programs, Office of the Secretary of the Army

As Army OSBP Deputy Director and Subcontracting and Mentor Protégé Program Manager in the U.S. Army, Office of Small Business Programs, Ms. Butler-Mason is responsible for assisting the Director in the establishment of policies and procedures and performing oversight to ensure implementation of statutory requirements. She also implements processes to increase industry awareness of the department’s small business subcontracting and Mentor Protégé program initiatives. She influences new policy updates to existing Subcontracting and Mentor Protégé acquisition regulations and solicits innovative Mentor Protégé technology transfer agreements from industry to support the real time needs of the war fighter. She actively participates on the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) working group panel and manages the Army Summary Subcontracting Report acknowledgement process. In addition, she manages twenty-one (21) active Mentor Protégé contracts, ensures broad participation of small businesses in new DoD acquisitions valued over $500 million and validates the annual soundness of subcontracting targets. Ms Butler-Mason also participates on Army Strategic Sourcing panel reviews.

Prior to accepting her current position, Ms. Butler-Mason was a senior Procurement Analyst at Headquarters, U.S. Army Contracting Agency (ACA) and Contracting Officer at the Information Technology E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center.

Ms. Butler-Mason is an acquisition professional with over 30 years of experience in contracting. Ms. Butler-Mason is Level III certified in acquisitions and is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps. She has received numerous civilian awards for exceptional performance through out her acquisition career.

Sharon Davis, Mentor-Protege Program Manager/WOSB Advocate, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Ms. Davis is a Small Business Advocate in the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization. In this capacity, Ms. Davis coordinates the DHS Annual Small Business Awards Ceremony, serves as the Woman-Owned Small Business Advocate, and Mentor-Protégé Program Manager providing guidance to large and small businesses interested in developing a Mentor-Protégé relationship with the Department of Homeland Security. The purpose of the Mentor-Protégé Program is to foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between DHS large prime contractors and small business subcontractors which strengthens subcontracting opportunities and accomplishments at DHS.

She also counsels small businesses interested in doing business with DHS, participates in conferences and outreach activities sponsored by government agencies, congressional members, and trade associations. Ms. Davis came to work for DHS in late 2009 from the Department of Treasury where she held a dual position as a Small Business Specialist and Contracting Officer. Prior to working at Treasury, Ms. Davis worked for Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Contract Specialist. Ms. Davis has over thirteen years of federal government procurement experience and twenty-four years of federal government service. She is a strong believer in promoting opportunities for small businesses.

Tabisa Tepfer, Program Manager, Office of Small Business Programs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Confirmed GTSC Mentor Company Speakers:

Wayne Pizer, Vice President, Small Business Programs,

L-3 Communications, L-3 STRATIS

Wayne Pizer is the Vice President for Small Business Programs at L-3 National Security Solutions (NSS), a Group of L-3 Communications. As Vice President for Small Business Programs, he is responsible for developing and executing the small business strategy for NSS. His responsibilities include: identifying go-to-market small business partners, promoting small businesses and ensuring Small Business Compliancy throughout the NSS organization. The mission of his office is to grow NSS revenue through partnerships with small businesses. Mr. Pizer has been with L-3 for over 4 years. Prior to joining L-3, Mr. Pizer had multiple positions during a 9 year career at IBM. Mr. Pizer holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from American University in 1991 and his Master in Business Administration from American University in 1996. He is also certified Project Management Professional and has an SAP certification in Production Planning.

Tony Sacco, Vice President, SAIC