Archives page

Posts Tagged ‘OSDBU’

ESBG: DHS Mentor Protege Program July 7

GTSC members only

Hosted by GTSC’s Emerging Small Business Group

The DHS Mentor-Protégé program is designed to motivate and encourage large business prime contractor firms to provide mutually beneficial developmental assistance to small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged businesses, and women-owned small business concerns. With its participating Mentor-Protégé Companies, the program is also designed to:

  • Improve the performance of contracts and subcontracts.
  • Foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between large prime contractors and small business subcontractors.
  • Strengthen subcontracting opportunities and accomplishments through three incentives. (see Section 1.5 of Program Details).

Join us to hear from

Sharon Davis

Manager of the DHS Mentor-Protégé Program, Office of Chief Procurement Officer

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

about the program, how you can engage, and the benefits to your large or small firm.

REGISTER HERE

If you are not a GTSC member and are interested in this event, please contact us.

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.
Register at www.gtscoalition.eventbrite.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Fleshman, Torres Assume Leadership of GTSC Lion’s Den

BETH FLESHMAN, ALION AND GUY TORRES, SALIENT, ASSUME LEADERSHIP OF THE GTSC LION’S DEN

Industry leaders will continue to focus on growth for midtier government contractors

 

Washington, D.C. June 4 — The Government Technology & Services Coalition today announced that Beth Fleshman, Assistant Vice President, Alion Science & Technology ascended to Chair of the Lion’s Den, a group of GTSC members focused on midtier company growth in the federal market.  Guy Torres, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for Salient Federal Solutions and formerly director of IT contracting for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, joined as Vice-Chair.

“I am excited to lead this distinguished group,” said Fleshman.  “I think the Lion’s Den has made a tremendous amount of progress raising awareness about the midtier challenges, and more importantly, has identified some of the paths we believe will lead to more concrete opportunities for midtier government contractors,” said Fleshman at the announcement.

“I worked with GTSC while at CBP and found their priorities, and their rapid progress toward those priorities a great fit for Salient’s objectives for continued growth.  I believe that serving as Vice Chair will allow me to guide some of our initiatives and continue to make real progress on the midtier front,” added Torres.  “The latest campaign launch — especially the Lion’s Den infographic — is already making an impact.”

GTSC made the leadership change, replacing Brad Cole, Vice President of Agilex, after Accenture’s recent purchase of Agilex.  “We are very grateful to Brad for his tremendous leadership — his vision and commitment to the Lion’s Den and to GTSC brought true thought leadership to the midtier challenge.  We look forward to continuing our work with him at Accenture,” said Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO of the Coalition.

Fleshman and Torres will participate in their first public discussion of midtier growth June 15 with Porter Goss, former director of the CIA and Senior Advisor at Dickstein Shapiro; Kevin Boshears, OSDBU, DHS; Michael Stabolepszy, Managing Partner & Founder of IntegrityOne Partners; Lindsay Sheehy, Partner at Dickstein Shapiro, and Ryan Hoffman, Director, The Chertoff Group.  REGISTER

The Government Technology & Services Coalition is home to the Lion’s Den, a distinguished cadre of mid-sized companies devoted to the homeland and national security market. The group launched GTSC Mid Tier Solution to bring attention to the challenges of midtier government contractors in the federal market.  The campaign launched with the first of a series of infographics on the value proposition for government leaders considering and selecting a midtier company.  The Lion’s Den is focused on creating and supporting programs, policies and ventures to support the continuum of growth from small to mid-sized through partnership, advocacy and increased business opportunities.  For more information, and to join the Lion’s Den, visit www.GTSCoalition.com.

Join the conversation on twitter with #midtier.

###

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 vision is to provide an ethical, effective platform for information exchange between the public and private sector on homeland and national security ideas, technologies and innovations.  Our mission is to provide exceptional advocacy, capacity building, partnership opportunities and marketing in the Federal security space for small and mid-sized companies and 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.

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 HollandEarl 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: [email protected]www.growthstrategyconsultants.com

 

6/12 MEGA Matchmaking & Mentoring

Join the Government Technology & Services Coalition for a day of matchmaking, mentoring and networking to find new teaming partners, mentors and mentor protege relationships!

The Government Technology & Services Coalition and Government Contracting Weekly partnered to recognize exceptional mentors in the government contracting community.

 The awards program recognizes and salutes government contractors for their leadership and concrete actions in assisting small government contracting firms through mentoring, training, inspiration, teaming and cooperation.  The awards recognize 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.

Honoring our Federal Small Business Titans:  

Frank Barros 

Program Analyst, Science & Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sandra Broadnax 

Director, Small Business Programs, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency

Peggy Butler

Deputy Director, Army Office of Small Business Programs, Subcontracting and Mentor Protege Program Manager, U.S. Department of Defense

Elissa Sobolewski 

SBIR Ptorgram Director, Science & Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

 

Federal Small Business Titan of the YEAR: 

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

KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED FOR MATCHMAKING SESSION
Les Rose is the Corporate Vice President & President of L3 National Security Solutions group. He also serves as the co-chair of the GTSC Mentor Forum. L-3 NSS’ six operating units deliver full-spectrum cyber operations, enterprise and mission information technology, intelligence operations support and operational infrastructure solutions.
Mr. Rose’s career has spanned over 40 years of management and engineering. Upon completing a successful 20-year career as an officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and as an Army pilot, Mr. Rose joined Delta Research Corporation, an L-3 legacy company in 1990. He was promoted to president of Delta Research, and through a series of acquisitions and promotions became president of L-3 STRATIS one of the largest division of the global defense leader. Today Mr. Rose serves as president of both L-3 STRATIS and L-3 NSS. Mr. Rose holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Are you a small business interested in teaming partners?  Do you work on:

  • information technology
  • identity management
  • configuration management
  • help desk.call center support
  • warfighter support services
  • C4ISR experience
  • Maritime/Port security operations services
  • Wireless Network technical support
  • Health IT
  • information security/information assurance
  • IA support for validation testing
  • logistics support
  • networks services
  • modeling and simulation
  • training courseware capabilities
  • Intelligence Community IT services
  • or other services?

Join us for an afternoon of new contacts, teaming and insight into new market areas.

TENTATIVE AGENDA – GTSC Small Business Mega-Matchmaking & The Mentor Awards

1:00 pm  Introduction

1:15 – 4:00 pm  Matchmaking with GTSC Mentors and other large companies

4:30 pm  Small Business Government Panel

5:30 pm  The Mentor Awards program and reception

Download the Brochure.

Mentors in matchmaking 2014

April 19: Lion’s Den Meeting with Kevin Boshears, Director, OSDBU

Lion’s Den members ($15 million in revenue +) are invited to join the Government Technology & Services Coalition for its Lion’s Den Meeting with Mr. Kevin Boshears, the Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This meeting will address the needs of midsize firms within the Coalition, discuss current initiatives on behalf of a mid-tier set-aside and provide the opportunity for Lion’s Den Members to share additional opportunites for the Coalition.

Register nowAgenda

I. Introductions

II. GTSC Activities

a. Designation of Excellence

b. Survey

c. Collaboration group for mid-tier?

d. Insurance and benefits

e. Contracting/acquisition issue with EAGLE II

f. Discussion of new challenges, suggestions

III. Discussion: Mid-Tier Set-Aside efforts

Mr. Kevin Boshears will join our meeting for a discussion of his work on behalf of the mid-tier community. In addition to being a tireless advocate on behalf of the small business community, Mr. Boshears understands, and has focused on the challenges facing mid-tier companies.  His insights and efforts are outstanding, and we welcome him to share some of his work with us.

About Mr. Kevin Boshears

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.