GovClose | Start Winning Government Contracts

The GovClose Certification Program is a one-year, implementation-driven system for people who want to win contracts, consult, or become elite federal sales professionals.https://www.govclose.comMost businesses don’t lose government contracts because they lack experience.They lose because they don’t build the daily habits required to win.In this video, former U.S. Air Force acquisitions officer Rick Howard breaks down the 3 habits that consistently separate companies that win federal contracts from those that stall, chase RFPs too late, or burn out.Rick managed $82B+ in government contracts and now trains business owners, consultants, and sales executives on how to build predictable federal pipelines.This video shows exactly what top performers do every single day.If you sell to the government—or want to—this is mandatory.What You’ll Learn1. Why sales—not tech—determines GovCon success2. How to find government opportunities before RFPs are released3. Why Sources Sought matter more than proposals4. The CRM discipline most GovCon teams ignore (and pay for)5. The silent habit that kills otherwise successful contractors6. How to avoid costly mistakes caused by partial knowledge7. Where smart contractors look to stay ahead of funding shiftsChapters00:00 – Why most government contractors fail01:00 – Rick Howard’s background in federal acquisitions01:30 – Why sales must come before delivery02:15 – Habit #1: Daily GovCon lead generation02:45 – Finding Sources Sought early03:45 – Going beyond SAM.gov04:45 – The most dangerous GovCon bad habit06:15 – Habit #2: Working your pipeline daily07:30 – Pipeline size vs. close rate08:45 – How opportunities should actually be tracked10:30 – Habit #3: Avoiding ignorance in GovCon11:30 – Using federal news to uncover opportunities14:15 – How people monetize GovCon expertise15:00 – GovClose overview & next stepsWatch These Instructional Videos on YouTube Next (Highly Recommended)▶️ From Shark Tank to SAM.gov – Interview with Greg Colemanhttps://youtu.be/oIdPtgCq4PY▶️ The Highest Paying Certification You’ve Never Heard Ofhttps://youtu.be/hPI72mtfmds▶️ From a Job That Pays Crazy… to Government Contractinghttps://youtu.be/1SuQ215qOY0

The Fed Two Hundred Stock Index — Inaugural EditionFederal spending is not random. It follows rules, incentives, and long-term patterns that repeat year after year. But while government contracting is one of the largest and most structured parts of the United States economy, it is rarely examined through the lens of public markets.In this inaugural episode of Federalytics, the team at GovClose introduces the Fed Two Hundred Stock Index, a new analytical framework designed to track how sustained federal contracting activity may — or may not — show up in publicly traded companies over time.The Fed Two Hundred tracks two hundred and seven public companies with meaningful federal exposure, grouped into four tiers by market capitalization. Each week, the index examines historical federal contracting data from fiscal year two thousand twenty-two through fiscal year two thousand twenty-six, newly reported contract actions, daily stock prices, and index-level performance compared to the Standard and Poor’s Five Hundred.This episode establishes the baseline.Listeners are walked through how the index is constructed, what it measures, and—just as importantly—what it does not attempt to claim. This is not investment advice. It does not assert causation. Instead, it is a transparency tool built to observe patterns, test assumptions, and document what the data shows over time.The episode then reviews the first week of results, covering January second through January ninth, two thousand twenty-six. During that period, the Fed Two Hundred Composite Index outperformed the Standard and Poor’s Five Hundred, with notable variation across tiers. Tier Two companies led weekly performance, while Tier Four companies led quarterly performance, reinforcing why segmentation matters.The report also highlights weekly winners and losers across each tier, illustrating how performance diverges even among companies operating in similar federal markets. Two company spotlights—L Three Harris Technologies and C A C I International—demonstrate how stock performance and federal contracting activity can coexist without simple explanations.Rather than drawing conclusions, this episode frames the questions that matter next. Do federal contracts influence stock performance with time delays? Do certain tiers behave differently as trends persist? Does consistency matter more than growth?If patterns exist, they will be surfaced. If they do not, that outcome is equally valuable.Federalytics is produced by the team at GovClose, a government contracting education and training organization founded by a former federal acquisitions officer who managed more than eighty-two billion dollars in government contracts. GovClose helps professionals learn how to sell to the United States government—whether by winning contracts for their own business, advising companies as consultants, or securing high-paying account executive roles in the public sector.To learn more, visit govclose dot com.This episode marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to bring clarity—not hype—to one of the most important and misunderstood markets in the economy.

Learn how to sell to the U.S. government: https://www.govclose.comThe US government spends $700+ billion annually with small businesses, but less than 0.25% of small businesses ever win a contract - and it's because they're doing it wrong. In this video, I break down the exact subcontracting strategy that flips the script: instead of cold-emailing prime contractors begging for work, you bring them opportunities they can't ignore. As a former Air Force acquisitions officer who managed over $82 billion in contracts, I'll show you how to find early opportunities, identify the right primes, and position yourself as the subcontractor they need. Stop begging and start winning government contracts the right way.Want to join our exclusive community? See if the GovCon Certification Program is right for you. Schedule a Enrollment Consultation: https://www.govclose.com/enrollment-interviewConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/

GovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programThe "Jab Jab Right Hook" Strategy for Government Contracting SuccessStop chasing contracts with proposals. Start building relationships that WIN contracts. In this coaching call, I break down how relationship-based selling works in government contracting using Gary Vaynerchuk's "Jab, Jab, Right Hook" framework.Most contractors think they need to write better proposals. Wrong. The most successful government contractors I know rarely write competitive proposals—they win through relationships. Here's how to apply the Jab-Jab-Right Hook method to build genuine connections with contracting officers and decision-makers.**Who This Is For:**→ Government contractors tired of losing competitive bids→ Small businesses building their first relationships with agencies→ Consultants helping clients navigate federal sales→ Anyone pursuing DOD, DOE, DHS, or civilian agency contracts→ Companies with existing contracts looking to expand within an agency**CHAPTERS:**00:00 - Introduction: Why Relationships Beat Proposals00:45 - Always Take the Networking Call (Real Story)01:15 - Negotiating Between Big Companies & Egos02:00 - The Lawyer Problem: CYA vs. Making Deals Happen03:15 - Community Support & Learning from Each Other04:30 - Teaming Agreement Templates (Use & Reuse)04:45 - Product vs. Problem: Focus on THEIR Need07:00 - Market Intelligence Tools: Who Needs What14:30 - Using GovWin IQ to Track Pipeline & History18:15 - Subcontracting Strategy: Stay Focused or Diversify?21:00 - Timeline Expectations: 12 Months Is Normal22:00 - On-Site Networking: Fort Bragg Example22:30 - The Jab-Jab-Right Hook Method Explained23:00 - Every 3rd or 4th Time: When to Ask for Business23:15 - Why COs Want to Help Good Companies**Key Timestamps:**• 00:45 - How one networking call turned into a job offer• 02:30 - Why lawyers' CYA mentality kills deals• 05:15 - "Be passionate about your client's problem, not your product"• 06:00 - You're setting yourself up for failure if you don't match requirements• 22:30 - "Every single sale was never writing a proposal again"• 22:45 - "I would go there with engineers and fix it, wouldn't charge them"• 23:00 - "Every fourth or fifth time I'd ask for more business"• 23:15 - "I wanted to help companies that were honestly trying to do good work"**Related Videos You Should Watch:**• How to Use GovWin IQ for Pipeline Building• DOE National Labs Contracting Strategy• When to Give Up on an Agency (And Move On)• Teaming Agreements: How to Negotiate Between Big PlayersNeed a consultant? Connect with Jonathan Haines from this video. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbhaynes/**Disclaimer:** This content is for educational purposes. While I draw on my experience as a former USAF acquisitions officer, all advice should be adapted to your specific situation and reviewed with your legal/compliance team as appropriate.**Connect with me:**🌐 Website: https://www.govclose.comConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/© 2024 GovClose. All rights reserved.

If you've ever wondered what GSA does or if you were confused because GSA is a federal agency but also referred to as a "contract vehicle", then you're in the right place.Whether you're a business selling to the government, or an account executive working for a company, or a consultant, you need to understand GSA's role in federal procurement. I have my own biased opinion, but in this episode I'm going to present the facts in the history of government contracting ands how GSA ties in. Start your government contracting career: https://www.govclose.comWatch on YouTubeA Contracting Officer's Advice on Proposal Writing:https://youtu.be/bcHPij1WnFsFREE Federal Sales Training: https://www.govclose.com#rfp #rfq #compliancematrix

Greg Coleman’s career took a turn that almost no one expects. After helping build a venture-backed tech company and appearing on Shark Tank, he shifted into a world most founders overlook: government contracting. In this conversation, Greg explains how startups, consultants, and small businesses can position themselves to work with federal agencies, navigate complex programs like SBIR and OTAs, and understand what it actually takes to break into the government market.Greg spent years inside the Department of Defense innovation ecosystem, where he evaluated early-stage technologies, managed prototype programs, and worked directly with founders trying to sell to the government. Today he advises companies on how to approach the federal market, avoid common mistakes, and build real opportunities inside agencies.If you're exploring government contracting for the first time, wondering how companies get funding, or trying to understand what separates successful federal vendors from everyone else, this interview gives you a clear, realistic starting point.Chapters00:00 – Greg’s background and early Air Force career02:15 – Flying high-level government officials and global missions04:05 – Launching a startup and appearing on Shark Tank07:10 – Entering the government innovation ecosystem (DIU, NSIN)13:45 – How SBIR and STTR really work for small businesses18:20 – OTAs and how companies move from prototype to production25:10 – Examples of emerging tech companies building for the government31:20 – The hardest challenge: crossing the “valley of death”35:00 – Greg’s advisory work helping companies approach the federal market38:30 – Greg’s thoughts on the GovClose Certification ProgramWork With GregGreg advises early-stage and growth-stage companies (Pre-Seed through Series B) on entering the federal market, building repeatable sales strategies, and navigating SBIR, OTA, and prototype pathways.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorycoleman/Become a Certified Government Contracting ProfessionalLearn federal sales, pipeline building, and modern acquisition strategies inside the GovClose Certification Program:https://govclose.comHire a GovClose-Trained ConsultantCompanies can get matched with trained federal sales consultants here:https://match.govclose.com

GovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.comThere is a highly effective, results-driven certification that most people have never heard of — yet it consistently helps professionals break into six-figure federal sales careers, build multiple-six-figure consulting practices, and win meaningful government contracts for their businesses.In this video, former Department of Defense (now DOE) procurement officer Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard C. Howard walks through the complete FY26 GovClose Certification Program syllabus, based entirely on how federal agencies actually buy. You’ll see how GovClose students:- Earn top-tier roles as public sector account executives- Build consulting practices supporting government contractors- Win contracts for their own companies through data-driven strategy- Learn a repeatable process grounded in federal spending analytics- Apply what they learn through the GovClose War Room implementation systemThis is a full breakdown of the core curriculum, the methodology behind it, the real examples of what this certification prepares you to do in the federal marketplace.CHAPTERS00:00 314 Professionals Trained and the Outcomes They’re Seeing00:15 Three Types of Results: AE Careers, Consulting Wins, Federal Contract Success00:30 Rick Howard’s Background Managing $82B in DoD Contracts01:00 What You Will Learn in This Full Syllabus Walkthrough01:15 Why GovClose Is Not a Proposal-First Program01:30 The Three Paths to Applying GovCon Expertise02:00 Path 1: Contractor Path for Existing Business Owners02:45 Case Study: David Ortiz and Federal Logistics Contracts03:00 Path 2: Consultant Path for Those Without a Business03:15 Ivan’s Path: Consulting Clients and Transition Into a Top Role03:45 Path 3: Professional Path and High-Level AE Careers04:15 What These AE Roles Look Like in Practice04:30 Jacob’s Result: Standing Out Against Experienced Applicants05:00 Phase 1: Government Contracting Fundamentals06:00 Understanding Whether the Government Buys What You Sell06:15 Phase 2: Niche Development Through Federal Spending Data07:00 Identifying Low-Competition, High-Demand Niches07:30 Student Feedback: Eliminating Blind Spots Through Strategy07:45 Phase 3: Building the Federal Sales Roadmap08:15 How Agencies Buy: Vehicles, Set-Asides, Patterns08:45 Matching Your Company Profile to the Right Vehicles09:00 Estimating Realistic Potential Using Competitor Behavior10:00 How the Roadmap Helped Jacob Win His Interview11:00 Phase 4: Pipeline Building with Early-Stage Opportunities12:00 Why Waiting for Posted Solicitations Doesn’t Work12:15 Phase 5: The Art of Winning Through Meetings and Influence12:45 Rick’s Account Executive Example: Why Meetings Drive Success13:15 Understanding the Market Research Phase14:00 Case Study: Why Sam’s Bids Were Late in the Process14:30 Phase 6: Mastering Proposals and Compliance Requirements15:00 Avoiding Disqualification Through Proper Compliance16:00 What Happens After 12 Weeks: The War Room17:00 Implementation Support: Pricing, Clients, Post-Award Guidance18:00 Access to Experts Across the GovCon Ecosystem18:30 Choosing Your Specialization After Certification19:00 Advanced Topics: Vehicles, SBIR, OTA, and Acquisition Strategy20:00 Deliverables You Leave With (Roadmap, Pipeline, Strategy, Niche)20:45 Certification Benefits: Badge, Recommendation, CRM, Community21:00 Who This Program Is Not Designed For21:45 Who This Program Is Designed For22:30 The Work Required and What True Expertise Looks Like23:00 How to Learn More or Join GovClose Recommended Videos to Watch NextThe 15 Rules of SAM.govhttps://youtu.be/gdh8dNBT46M27 Steps to Write Winning Proposals for Government Contractshttps://youtu.be/4Db9iCNlhw8The High-Paying Job Military Veterans Have Never Heard Ofhttps://youtu.be/cXGnPUaimAUConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/Hire a GovClose Trained Consultant: https://match.govclose.com

Andy Main is a former UFC fighter, the youngest person to appear on The Ultimate Fighter -at the time, an MMA champion, a serial entrepreneur, and the CEO of ROE Defense. Rick talks to Andy about why he started a defense tech company, his amazing career in mixed martial arts, and his philosophy on business and life. Andy's a member of the GovClose certification program. If you'd like to check that out, you can do so at the following link: https://www.govclose.comWatch Next:The 15 Rules of Government Contracting. https://youtu.be/gdh8dNBT46MConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/Connect With Andy on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymain1/#ufc #mma #veteran #defensetechnology

These are the 15 rules we teach in the GovClose certification program on how to consistently win contracts with the U.S. federal government. If you have rules or formulas that you use for government contracting that are not in this video, please share them in the comments. Start Your GovCon Career: https://www.govclose.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/

From 8(a) reviews and HUBZone audits to new verification standards for woman-owned and veteran-owned businesses, there’s a clear message coming from Washington: these programs are being watched more closely than ever.That’s not necessarily a bad thing.It’s a reminder that certifications were never meant to replace value — they were designed to highlight it.In government contracting, the sequence matters:Start with value. Build a business that solves a real problem for an agency.Learn the mission. Work with the government during market research and pre-solicitation to shape requirements.Position early. Once you’ve established credibility, then a certification can help move the needle — slightly.Used the right way, certifications can still be a force multiplier.Used too early, they can become a crutch that hides a weak value proposition.As I mention in this week’s video, contracting officers don’t award contracts because you’re certified — they award them because you deliver results.The businesses that focus on solving mission problems first will be the ones that benefit most from these programs in the long run. Interested in selling to the US government? Watch our free training to understand how to build a government contracting business profitably: https://www.govclose.com/watch-sales-certification

Start Your GovCon Career: https://www.govclose.comIn this special podcast episode, I go over the step-by-step process we teach in the GovClose certification program for winning government contracts. GovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/FREE Federal Sales Training: https://www.govclose.com

If you are a veteran or federal worker and have a security clearance, you may qualify for very high-paying job. Companies pay a premium for people that have been through the security clearance process. It saves time, and you're already vetted. But there's one job most people don't think about when leveraging a clearance. This is unfortunate because it's one of the highest paying jobs that you can get. This episode, we break down how to leverage your security clearance and look at actual job postings to compare and contrast different pathways. Start Your GovCon Career: https://www.govclose.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/FREE Federal Sales Training: https://www.govclose.com

GovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programWhy are college-age kids choosing government contracting as a career path and succeeding at it? There is a big debate going on in this country about the price of a college education vs. what you actually get for it. Choosing a career can be difficult for young people, never mind paying off a huge amount of debt for an education that may not actually help you get a job! In this video, I interview a college sophomore who went through the GovClose certification program, learned government contracting, and was immediately offered a paid internship with an aerospace defense company.Next I interview Jack, a young man in his early 20s, no bachelor's degree, but went through the GovClose certification program and now has multiple high-paying clients. Government contracting is not for everybody. It's hard. Some would say it's boring (not me, of course). But there is enormous amounts of funding that the federal government spends in almost all industries each year. There are very few people that actually understand how the government buys. Because of this, salaries and consulting fees tend to be very high, and there's not a lot of competition because so few people even know about government contracting as a profession, and even less actually understand the process. I also want to make a disclaimer. I am not advising people to skip college. But, I do want to make people aware that there is an alternative. Also in Lindsey's case, you'll see combining college with government contracting can actually be a really great option as well. I hope this video helps. And if you liked it, and/or if you would like to see a program dedicated to helping college-age kids get into government contracting, let me know in the comments. Government Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/#careeradvice #collegestudent #certification

Here's a statistic that will shock you: According to SBA data, there are 34.7 million small businesses in the United States. Yet only 78,677 companies—just 0.23%—won federal contracts in FY24. That's less than a quarter of one percent competing for $774 billion in annual contract opportunities.Why is this number so low? It's not because the opportunity is small. It's because most businesses don't understand how the system actually works.In this episode, I'm breaking down the three rules of SAM that nobody talks about—the realities that separate the 0.23% who win from the 99.77% who struggle.Rule #1: Don't Use SAM (Yet)Before you even register on the System for Award Management, you need to validate that the government actually buys what you sell. I'll show you how to use USAspending to research federal buying patterns and save yourself months of wasted effort.I'll also address a critical warning: the "middleman" or "broker" model being promoted on social media. Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.219-14 requires small business prime contractors to perform at least 50% of services work themselves. Without past performance and in-house capabilities, this model fails—both legally and practically.Rule #2: Know Who Buys What You Sell—And HowIt's not enough to know that agencies buy what you sell. You need to understand which offices, what procurement methods they use (GSA Schedules, GWACs, IDIQs), and what barriers to entry exist. Some contract vehicles take years to access.Rule #3: Always Start with Sources SoughtHere's what most people miss: there's an entire phase of contracting that happens before the solicitation is ever published. It's called the market research phase, and this is where contracts are actually won.When agencies post Sources Sought notices or Requests for Information, they're inviting you to shape requirements, demonstrate capabilities, and build relationships. The companies that win consistently are the ones who engage 6-8 months before the RFP drops—attending meetings, providing demonstrations, and establishing trust with program offices.Writing "cold" proposals to solicitations you found online? That's starting at the end. Your competitors started at the beginning.I'll explain why the system isn't rigged—it's just that most people don't know about the pre-solicitation engagement phase where the real work happens.Industry experience suggests it takes 12-24 months to win your first federal contract, and the SBA reports that some businesses spend $80,000 to $130,000 in the process. This is a long-term strategy, not a quick win. But for businesses with proven capabilities and the patience to build properly, federal contracting provides stable, recurring revenue at scale.Ready to Learn More?If you want to learn how to use government contracting to win contracts, start a consulting business, or launch a career as an account executive, visit govclose.com. We offer comprehensive training and implementation programs to help you navigate the federal marketplace successfully.Rick Howard is a former Air Force acquisition officer who managed over $82 billion in defense contracts. He founded GovClose in 2019 to help companies and consultants succeed in the federal marketplace.

At the time of this recording, the U.S. federal government is shut down and it is affecting federal employees, contractors, and even some military. In this video, I discuss how federal experience can be valuable to companies selling to the U.S. government. We also go over potential paths to bring on consulting clients that can help mitigate a shutdown, bring in an extra stream of income, and for some, give them a career pivot that's entrepreneurial and can be very rewarding. Start Your Consulting Business: https://www.govclose.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-program

Discover the lucrative career field that most people have never heard of—government contracting account executives earning $120K to $400K+ annually. Former Air Force acquisitions officer Rick Howard reveals how to break into this high-paying profession without a degree.In this episode, we explore the fundamentals of supply and demand in career earnings and why government contract sales positions offer extraordinary compensation. Learn how the US government, the world's largest purchaser at $700+ billion annually, creates massive opportunities for sales professionals who understand the public sector.What You'll Learn:Why companies pay premium salaries for government contract expertiseThe supply and demand economics of high-earning careersHow account executives generate millions in revenue for their companiesReal success stories: From zero experience to six-figure salaries at companies like HoneywellThe difference between regular sales jobs and public sector account executivesWhy this career field has low competition despite high payRequirements to enter the field (hint: no degree needed)Remote work opportunities with travel to domestic and international locationsKey Topics Covered: Government contracting, defense contracts, federal sales, account executive careers, public sector sales, high-paying jobs without degrees, career transformation, military contracting, B2G sales, government procurementWhether you're looking for a career change, seeking higher income potential, or want meaningful work supporting national defense and government services, this episode provides a roadmap to a profession where you can make a significant impact while building substantial wealth.Ready to Transform Your Career?If you're interested in exploring this high-paying, meaningful career path in government contracting, here's how to get started:🔗 Visit govclose.com to access free introductory training videos and learn more about the certification program. If it's a good fit, you can apply for an advisory call to speak with one of our counselors about whether the program is right for you.💼 Connect with Rick Howard on LinkedIn to stay updated on government contracting insights, success stories from the GovClo community, and opportunities in the public sector sales field. Join a network of professionals who are building wealth while making a difference.Remember: This isn't the easy path—it requires dedication and hard work. But if you're willing to put in the effort, you can learn a specialized skill set that very few people possess, positioning yourself for salaries of $200K, $300K, $400K and beyond.Don't let another year go by wondering what could have been. The US government is spending $700+ billion annually, and companies need qualified professionals like you to help them win those contracts.- Start your journey today at govclose.com- Connect with Rick Howard on LinkedInThe GovClo community has over 200 members who are transforming their lives and careers. Will you be next?

Start Your GovCon Career: https://www.govclose.comIn this episode, I walk through One of the best-paying careers for military veterans and retirees. I go step-by-step why government contracting will pay for your military service, including:How to position yourself correctlyHow much an account executive working for a company selling to the government can makeAnd a lot moreBtw, if you didn't serve in the military, I would still listen to this episode because combining government contracting with any professional work experience you have - could - be a way for you to get into the high-paying career field.Check Out GovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/FREE Federal Sales Training: https://www.govclose.com

Read the complete breakdown on Anduril and other companies selling to the US government at: https://federalytics.substack.comGovernment Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/

Government Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comGet Free Weekly Government Contracting Business Tips: https://federalytics.substack.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programIn this video, you’ll learn the 10 biggest reasons to start your own consulting business, how to package your skills into a service people will pay for, and why AI is your ultimate growth partner.You’ll discover: - The independence & financial upside of consulting- How to start part-time (without quitting your job)- Why AI amplifies your value instead of replacing you- How to work from anywhere in the world - The hidden opportunities (equity deals, partnerships, advisory roles) that consulting unlocksAnd stick around until Reason #10, where I reveal how consulting doesn’t just create income — it can completely redefine your lifestyle, freedom, and future.Watch: Why Federal Employees Should Start a Consulting Businesshttps://youtu.be/Q34m1Qh3U_w?si=OBSx7ECSYbe2ROvVConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/#Consulting #AIGrowth #ScaleWithAI

Get the full DOE report on Substack: https://federalytics.substack.com/p/the-186-billion-small-business-roadmapGovernment Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comFull DOE Intelligence Report (Federalytics): federalytics.substack.comDOE Contracts: Two Markets, One Oligopoly — Where Small Businesses (and Investors) Actually WinThe Department of Energy awarded $186B in contracts in recent years — but $79B is concentrated in a nuclear-weapons oligopoly dominated by five M&O primes. If you’re a small business (or investing in one), the play isn’t to storm the wall — it’s to navigate the $100B+ opportunity zone where competition is lower, vehicles are direct, and outcomes are repeatable. This briefing shows: which offices to target, which NAICS to favor, why GSA MAS barely matters at DOE, how to leverage subcontracting pathways into the Big Five, and how the GAO’s $1.1B compliance finding creates a verification edge for disciplined firms.Who this is forFounders and BD leaders selling to DOE/NNSAPE/VC investors & boards pressure-testing pipeline quality, CAC to CLV, and competitive moats in federal marketsCorporate strategy teams evaluating inorganic roll-ups in R&D, engineering, and EM servicesWhat you’ll learn:DOE’s “two-economy” reality: no-entry M&O vs. accessible direct-award ecosystemOffice-level and NAICS-level tactics to avoid high-bidder bloodbathsHow to use subcontracting to wedge into the nuclear complex supply chainWhy the GAO small-business audit (~$1.1B) signals tighter verification — and how to capitalize on itTimestamps (SEO-optimized for YouTube + AI search)00:00 DOE $186B overview00:20 Federalytics report00:40 NNSA M&O no-entry01:00 The Big Five labs01:20 $107B opportunity zone01:40 Target offices to win02:00 Competition math (offers)02:20 Vehicles that work at DOE02:40 NAICS picks to target03:00 Rule of 5 filter03:20 Subcontracting paths03:40 GAO $1.1B compliance04:00 GovClose playbook04:20 Next steps + dataLinks• Full DOE Intelligence Report (Federalytics): federalytics.substack.com• Learn to sell to government & build multiple revenue streams (GovClose): govclose.comConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/Notes & context“Offers per award” is a proxy for competition. Lower is better for small businesses and for investors modeling win-rates and BD efficiency.Figures reflect recent DOE awards where competition data is reported; incomplete records are excluded for accuracy.This content is for market intelligence and strategy; it’s not legal advice.