Join hosts Shelley McGuire and David Blackburn as they have one on one conversations with government and industry leaders on trends, challenges, and opportunities in GovCon.
On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Wagish Bhartiya, Chief Growth Officer at REI Systems, to explore what federal agencies need to get right before AI can truly transform how they operate. At the center of the challenge is data. Agencies often have enormous amounts of information spread across disconnected systems—and AI can confidently deliver an answer even when it’s working with incomplete data.
Wagish also shares how REI Systems is applying AI internally throughout the software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering and coding to testing, while learning firsthand why governance, standards, training and human expertise remain critical.
But perhaps the biggest challenge is moving AI from pilot to production. Wagish explains why government AI must go beyond producing an answer—it needs to produce an answer that can be defended. That means explainability, traceability, and repeatability, because in government, as he says, “every answer needs a receipt.”
To connect with Wagish, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about REI Systems at their website here.
The end of the federal fiscal year is here—and in GovCon, that can feel a lot like a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos. The opportunities are moving fast, but simply chasing everything that hits the market isn't a winning strategy.
In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire and ENcompass Consulting Group's CEO, Eric Nusbaum, talk about how contractors can finish FY26 strong while positioning themselves for FY27. Eric shares practical strategies for tilting the table in your favor, from leveraging customer relationships and differentiating your capabilities to making it easier for government buyers to access what you offer.
They also tackle the realities of quick-turn September bids, including how to spot opportunities that may favor an incumbent, prepare go-to teaming partners, use AI responsibly in proposal development, and add surge support when your internal team is stretched thin.
Looking ahead, Eric breaks down what contractors should expect from OASIS+, MDA SHIELD and SEWP VI, along with three issues to watch closely in FY27: CMMC, increased use of OTAs and CSOs, and potentially significant changes to SBA small business size standards.
If you're navigating busy season while trying to plan your next move, this episode offers a roadmap for closing out FY26 strategically and entering FY27 ready to compete.
SBA proposed a new rule on SB sizes. Depending on how this turns out, it could have a massive impact on the entire federal contracting industry. Make sure you submit comments on this by Sept 21. Click here to provide your feedback.
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.
To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.
Cybersecurity can’t be something added at the end of a project. In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Kevin Spease, President and Co-Founder of ISSE Services, to talk about why security requirements need to be integrated much earlier in the systems development lifecycle.
Kevin breaks down where friction often appears when teams try to translate frameworks like NIST and RMF into practical engineering requirements, why developers and cybersecurity teams can sometimes find themselves at odds, and what security professionals can do differently to become enablers instead of blockers.
The conversation also explores what happens after a system goes live. How do organizations maintain compliance while continuing to respond to new vulnerabilities and emerging threats? And how can cybersecurity teams stay involved in change management without simply showing up with another “no”?
For anyone working in cybersecurity, systems engineering, federal IT, or mission-critical environments, this episode offers a practical look at building security into the process from the very beginning.
To connect with Kevin, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about ISSE Services at their website here.
AI is moving fast. Federal acquisition isn’t always built to. So what happens when the two collide?
David recently connected with Matt Colantonio, Product Manager for Quantify at AlphaSix and a former senior Federal acquisition leader who brings more than 15 years of firsthand experience navigating the very challenges agencies are now looking to technology to help solve.
Matt’s perspective matters. Before joining AlphaSix, he served as a Contracting Officer and held senior acquisition and digital transformation roles, including serving as Chief of Staff for the Senior Procurement Executive within the State Department’s Global Acquisition organization. He knows Federal acquisition from the inside. The processes, the pressures, the workforce challenges, and the realities that can make meaningful transformation difficult.
Now he is bringing that experience to AlphaSix, helping translate years of Federal acquisition expertise into technology built around how government acquisition actually works.
That makes for a timely conversation.
David and Matt dig into what Matt sees differently now that he has worked on both sides of the acquisition equation, what AlphaSix is building with its Q-Suite and AI-powered Quantify platform, and what “AI-native” acquisition could mean in practice.
They take on some of the biggest questions facing Federal acquisition leaders right now. Can AI become a trusted collaborator for the acquisition workforce? How should agencies think about buying versus building? What does workforce transformation actually require? And beyond the hype, what could agentic AI realistically do inside the acquisition process?
For Federal acquisition and GovCon leaders trying to understand where this is going, this is a chance to hear from someone who spent more than 15 years inside the system and is now helping build what comes next.
To connect with Matt, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about AlphaSix at their website here.
Breaking into government contracting takes more than a great capability and a desire to win federal work. It takes an understanding of how the acquisition process actually works.
On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with acquisition professional Reggie Mitchell for a candid conversation about what small businesses need to know before pursuing the federal market. Reggie shares why GovCon isn’t simply a place to find contracts—it’s a process—and why understanding acquisition rules, agency needs, procurement methods, and the people involved can make the difference between spinning your wheels and building a real strategy.
They explore the expectations new contractors often get wrong, the importance of targeting agencies that actually need what you sell, and why small business professionals can be valuable advocates and entry points into an agency. Reggie also breaks down the different roles of program, contracting, and small business professionals, and why companies need to understand who they’re talking to before walking into that critical meeting.
From relationships and readiness to performance and consistency, this episode delivers practical advice for companies looking to compete and keep winning in GovCon.
To connect with Reggie, follow him on LinkedIn here.
OrangeSlices was recently invited to support a session with the GSA OASIS+ Special Interest Group, a community bringing together industry leaders around how companies can better understand the vehicle, position for opportunities and ultimately succeed on OASIS+.
When we were invited to participate, we brought along a few people we trust when it comes to understanding OASIS+, GovCon growth and the DHS market.
Eric Nusbaum, Founder and CEO of ENcompass Consulting Group, leads a team that lives BD, capture, proposals and GovCon growth every day. Eric has spent a lot of time thinking about what happens after companies earn a spot on OASIS+ and what it actually takes to turn that position into wins.
Joining Eric is Daniel Abernathy, CGO at ENcompass, who takes part of the conversation down to the opportunity level with a look at specific DHS requirements companies should be tracking.
And Katie Helwig, President and CEO of Mild Red, is a self-professed OASIS+ nerd who spends a tremendous amount of time focused on OASIS+, federal market intelligence and helping companies translate that intelligence into better growth decisions.
The response to the original session was strong enough that Shelley McGuire and David Blackburn brought the group back together to share the conversation with a much broader audience.
Among the topics covered: how to succeed after winning a spot on OASIS+, how DHS is using the vehicle today, where activity is concentrated across DHS components and OASIS+ domains, what growth teams should be doing now, and the coming transition of expiring CIO-SP3 work. That includes nearly $3 billion in potential value across expiring DHS CIO-SP3 task orders, creating a sizable follow-on market that contractors should understand, even though not all of that work will ultimately move to OASIS+.
For those who aren't aware, ENcompass and Mild Red have also recently come together around a new OASIS+ offering, and you'll hear some of the natural synergy between the teams as they look to support the GovCon community.
If OASIS+ and DHS are part of your growth strategy, this is an opportunity to hear the conversation we were invited to bring to the OASIS+ Special Interest Group, expanded and made available to the broader GovCon community.
Listen to the podcast, and download the presentation for the supporting market data, analysis and opportunity details.
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.
To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.
To connect with Dan, visit him on LinkedIn here.
To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.
To connect with Katie, visit her on LinkedIn here.
To learn more about Mild Red, visit their website here.
On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Colton Christensen, co-founder of CloudSpark, to talk about the company’s journey from startup to newly awarded NASA SEWP VI Category A prime contract holder. The win gives CloudSpark the opportunity to prime on one of the federal government’s most widely used technology acquisition vehicles and marks what Colton describes as the beginning of the company’s next chapter.
Colton shares how relationships, persistence, and a willingness to do the hard work helped CloudSpark gain traction in the federal market. The conversation also explores SparkSight, the company’s market intelligence platform designed to help OEM partners identify opportunities earlier, and why CloudSpark is focused on using AI to find opportunities before they hit the bid stage.
From building a business alongside his father to preparing to leverage SEWP VI and eventually expand into services, this episode offers a look at what it takes to grow a small business in GovCon while playing the long game.
To connect with Colton, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about CloudSpark at their website here.
David Blackburn recently connected with Brittany Winkler of GovDash to discuss the trends, data, and competitive shifts that are reshaping the federal contracting landscape.
GovDash continues to advance as an autonomous AI platform purpose-built for government contractors, bringing opportunity identification, capture, proposal development, and contract management together in a single end-to-end platform. Alongside that evolution, GovDash has been expanding its investment in market intelligence, publishing research and data-driven insights that help contractors understand not just where opportunities exist, but where the market is headed.
Brittany has been helping lead those efforts, and GovDash's latest report takes a deep dive into the FY2027 landscape. Together, David and Brittany explore what record defense spending actually means once the headlines fade, how contractors can identify and position for more than $200 billion in pre-RFP opportunities before the broader market catches on, and why evolving requirements like CMMC, FedRAMP 20X, and AI governance are becoming strategic differentiators that could determine who is positioned to compete for tomorrow's work.
Whether you're a CEO shaping growth strategy, a chief growth officer planning your pipeline, or a capture leader looking for an edge, this conversation offers practical insights into where the market is moving and how leading organizations are using better data, stronger intelligence, and AI to stay ahead of the competition.
Give it a listen.
To connect with Brittany, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about GovDash by visiting their webpage here.
On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Brenda Blunt, Senior Director at ORAU and former CMS Division Director, for a conversation about the future of healthcare and what it will take to build healthier, more resilient communities. Drawing on her experience in both the clinical and federal sectors, Brenda explores why prevention is finally taking center stage, how nutrition and education can improve long-term health outcomes, and why "food as medicine" is becoming a critical part of the healthcare conversation.
The discussion also dives into ORAU's role in strengthening the nation's healthcare workforce, preparing communities for public health challenges, and advancing research that improves resilience across the country. Brenda shares details about ORAU's new Rural Health Research Innovation Cluster, designed to bring together researchers, universities, industry, and government to address workforce shortages, access to care, emergency preparedness, and women's health in rural America.
If you're interested in the future of public health, healthcare innovation, or how collaboration can drive better outcomes for communities, this episode offers valuable insights into where healthcare is headed next.
To connect with Brenda, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about ORAU at their website here.
Is the CMMC program really on pause—or is that just one of the biggest misconceptions circulating through the defense contracting community?
In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire and ENcompass Consulting Group's CEO, Eric Nusbaum, separate fact from fiction following the Department of Defense's announcement to pause Phase 2 of the CMMC rollout. Together, they break down what the pause actually means, the difference between CMMC levels and phases, and why Phase 1 requirements remain very much in effect.
The conversation tackles some of the most common myths contractors are asking about, including whether CMMC has been canceled, if companies should stop implementing cybersecurity controls, whether compliance is prohibitively expensive, and how the government is responding to industry feedback. Eric also shares practical recommendations for navigating self-assessments, preparing for potential audits, and avoiding costly compliance mistakes while the future of Phase 2 is being evaluated.
If you're a defense contractor or planning to enter the Defense Industrial Base, this episode provides the clarity you need to understand what's changing, what's staying the same, and what steps you should be taking right now.
The CMMC Reform Task Force has an open RFI to collect more feedback: Click here to view. Make sure to respond by Aug 14!
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.
To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.
David Blackburn recently connected with Adam Furtado, Vice President of Enablement at Rise8, for a conversation about one of the biggest shifts underway in federal technology. Adam's career spans the U.S. Air Force, the Department of the Navy, Kessel Run, startup leadership, and now Rise8, where he helps organizations transform how they build and deliver software for critical missions.
Rise8 has emerged as one of the federal market's leading voices on modern software delivery. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, the company is helping agencies and contractors move beyond legacy development models by combining modern engineering, product thinking, and human-centered design to continuously deliver software that improves mission outcomes. Their mission is both simple and ambitious. Create a future where fewer bad things happen because of bad software.
In this episode, David and Adam explore why AI-assisted software development is generating so much attention, what many organizations misunderstand about adopting it, and how federal teams can embrace these capabilities without compromising security, quality, or mission success. They also discuss why hands-on learning, modern engineering practices, and organizational culture may be just as important as the technology itself.
Whether you're a government technology leader, software engineer, program executive, digital transformation leader, or GovCon executive trying to understand where software development is headed, this conversation offers practical insight into how forward-looking organizations are preparing for the next generation of mission delivery and what that could mean for the federal market in the years ahead.
Learn more about Prodacity and register to attend the event happening August 25-27 here.
To connect with Adam, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Rise8 at their website here.
In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Monica Randall, founder and CEO of the Randall Group and a former SBA leader, to challenge the misconceptions surrounding 8(a), Woman-Owned, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and GSA Schedule programs. Together, they unpack what these certifications actually provide, why they should be viewed as contracting vehicles—not revenue generators—and how today's policy changes are reshaping the certification landscape.
Monica explains the latest SBA rule changes, the growing importance of the GSA Schedule under the current administration, and the compliance pitfalls companies need to understand before investing time and money into a certification. She also shares practical strategies for turning certifications into a competitive advantage—without making them the centerpiece of your business development efforts.
If you're pursuing federal contracts or wondering whether a certification belongs in your growth strategy, this conversation delivers a candid reality check on what certifications can—and can't—do for your business, along with actionable advice for building relationships, proving your capabilities, and competing successfully in today's federal marketplace.
To connect with Monica, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about The Randall Group at their website here.
If you think AI is still just about writing proposals faster, you're missing where this market is headed.
Every once in a while, a deal comes along that tells you something much bigger than who acquired whom. It tells you where an entire industry is going. GovSignals' acquisition of Turingon is one of those moments.
For years, GovCon has been a collection of disconnected tools. One platform for market intelligence. Another for capture. Another for proposals. Another for post-award. The real work has always happened in the gaps between them.
That's why this acquisition deserves attention.
More than simply one company acquiring another, it represents a vision for where AI is headed in government contracting, and a belief that the future belongs to connected workflows, not disconnected software.
If you're responsible for growth, capture, proposals, competitive intelligence, or deciding where your organization is investing in AI over the next several years, this conversation is worth your time.
In this episode of The Peel, OrangeSlices AI CEO David Blackburn sits down with Jeremy Doochin, Co-Founder of GovSignals, and Arthur Runno, Founder of Turingon and now Head of Sales at GovSignals, to discuss the strategy behind the acquisition, why the two companies decided to come together, and what it means for the future of AI in GovCon.
Jeremy shares the vision that has fueled GovSignals' rapid momentum and its goal of supporting the entire government contracting lifecycle through a single AI platform. Arthur reflects on building Turingon, why Capture Pilot and Proposal Pilot resonated with capture and proposal professionals, and why joining GovSignals represented the right next step for both his team and their customers.
The discussion goes well beyond the announcement itself, exploring how the acquisition came together, where AI is creating meaningful value for GovCon organizations, how growth teams should be thinking about technology investments, and where both leaders believe the market is heading next.
Whether you're evaluating AI platforms, leading a capture organization, or simply trying to stay ahead of where the GovCon technology landscape is moving, this episode offers valuable perspective from two executives helping shape that future.
To connect with Jeremy, follow him on LinkedIn here.
To connect with Arthur, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about GovSignals at their website here.
The GovCon market has no shortage of data. The real challenge is turning all of that information into decisions. Every day, thousands of new opportunities, contract actions, and procurement documents are published. The companies that win aren't necessarily the ones with the most data. They're the ones that can find the right information, connect the dots, and act on it faster.
David Blackburn recently connected with Charles Sanders, Founder of PrimeRFP, for a conversation about how AI is changing contract discovery, capture strategy, and the future of GovCon market intelligence.
PrimeRFP has been building impressive momentum with its SCOUT intelligence platform, an AI-powered solution that brings together federal and state and local opportunities, historical contract data, and advanced search capabilities designed to help growth teams identify and prioritize the opportunities that matter most. During the discussion, Charles explains the thinking behind SCOUT, why it approaches market intelligence differently, and how that intentional approach is helping organizations uncover opportunities that traditional workflows often overlook.
The conversation also highlights an exciting collaboration between OrangeSlices, Arctas, and PrimeRFP. Together, the teams are developing new capabilities for the Arctas platform that will bring PrimeRFP's intelligence directly into the community experience, giving GovCon professionals additional context and insights as they research companies, opportunities, and the broader federal marketplace. More details on those initiatives will be shared in the months ahead.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the discussion is the broader conversation about the GovCon intelligence market itself. Charles shares his perspective on where long-established platforms such as GovWin continue to provide value, but also where gaps remain for today's growth organizations. The discussion explores why newer approaches to AI, search, and data enrichment are creating opportunities to solve problems that many capture and business development teams still face every day.
Whether you're evaluating your current market intelligence tools, looking for an edge in capture, or simply trying to understand how AI is reshaping GovCon growth, this conversation offers valuable insight into where the market is headed, and why the next generation of competitive advantage may come from asking better questions of your data, not just collecting more of it.
To connect with Charles, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about PrimeRFP at their website here.
What separates highly successful small businesses from those that struggle to grow in the federal marketplace?
In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire and ENcompass Consulting Group's CEO, Eric Nusbaum break down the seven habits that help GovCon small businesses thrive, and the bad habits that can hold them back. From relying too heavily on socioeconomic status and setting unrealistic growth goals to neglecting partnerships, capture efforts, and contract vehicle strategies, the conversation explores the common mistakes many companies make as they pursue growth.
Eric shares practical insights on building realistic growth plans, creating stronger teaming relationships, making smarter bid/no-bid decisions, investing in capture before an RFP drops, and turning contract vehicles into real revenue generators. The discussion also highlights why past performance matters just as much as winning new work and how companies can prepare now for the challenges that come with outgrowing their small business status.
As the federal fiscal year enters its final quarter, this episode offers timely guidance for small businesses looking to finish strong and position themselves for long-term success.
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.
To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here
Are teaming agreements really protecting your business—or just taking you off the street?
On this episode of The Peel Podcast, Shelley McGuire sits down with government contracting expert Monica Randall, founder and CEO of the Randall Group and a former SBA leader, to separate fact from fiction when it comes to teaming agreements, joint ventures, workshare, exclusivity clauses, and subcontract negotiations. Drawing on more than two decades of SBA experience and years of advising GovCon firms, Monica tackles some of the most common misconceptions contractors make when forming partnerships.
The conversation explores why a handshake or email is never enough, the critical differences between teaming agreements and joint ventures, and how poorly written exclusivity clauses can limit future opportunities. Shelley and Monica also dive into the importance of negotiating meaningful workshare, understanding how teaming agreements transition into subcontracts, and recognizing when certifications can create real leverage during negotiations.
Whether you're a small business evaluating your first teaming agreement or an experienced contractor looking to strengthen your partnership strategy, this episode offers practical insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and negotiate from a position of strength.
To connect with Monica, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about The Randall Group on their website.
Check out the last podcast Monica did with Shelley here.
At VETS26, we turned the mic around and put conference attendees in the hot seat! In this special episode, veterans, advocates, employers, and industry leaders share a mix of personal stories, fun rapid-fire answers, and their biggest takeaways from the conference. From favorite hobbies and unexpected talents to meaningful conversations about career growth, networking, and supporting the veteran community, these candid interviews capture the energy and spirit of VETS26. Tune in for plenty of laughs, insightful perspectives, and a firsthand look at why so many people value the VETS conference experience.
On this episode of The Peel Podcast, Shelley McGuire sits down with Dom Cussatt, CEO of Vault Cloud and a former federal IT leader with experience spanning the VA, State Department, DOD, NATO, and private sector healthcare. With more than 30 years at the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, and mission delivery, Dom shares his perspective on how IT can truly empower organizations rather than simply support them.
The conversation explores the evolving relationship between security, compliance, and mission execution as agencies and companies navigate AI, cloud computing, and rapidly changing threat landscapes. Shelley and Dom discuss the differences between public and private sector IT, why government often operates at a scale industry underestimates, and how agile development and risk-based security approaches are reshaping the future of technology operations.
They also dive into vendor partnerships, AI ethics, open source infrastructure, and the importance of building secure, mission-focused environments that balance innovation with trust. From protecting warfighters and veterans to enabling healthcare systems and modern cloud operations, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where federal IT is headed next.
To connect with Dom, visit him on LinkedIn here.
To learn more about Vault Cloud, visit their website here.
“Everybody in government is talking about AI. Very few are actually talking about what happens when these systems start making decisions, taking actions, and operating inside real mission environments.”
In this episode, David Blackburn sits down with Alex Santantonio of Nava and Allison DiPietro of Aquia for a timely discussion on where federal AI adoption is actually heading as agencies move beyond experimentation and into operational deployment.
The conversation brings together two organizations that have built strong reputations helping government modernize responsibly. Nava, a public benefit corporation known for its role in rebuilding HealthCare.gov and advancing human-centered civic technology, and Aquia, a cybersecurity and modernization leader supporting agencies including VA and CMS, are also aligned through Aquia Nava II LLC, a joint venture focused on delivering secure, human-centered digital solutions for the public sector.
Together, they unpack the realities agencies are now facing around agentic AI, governance, security, accountability, modernization, and implementation at scale. From AI systems operating inside sensitive mission environments to the growing pressure agencies face to adopt AI responsibly, this discussion moves well beyond theory and hype into the operational challenges leaders are wrestling with right now.
If you want insight into how some of today’s most forward-leaning federal technology organizations are thinking about the next phase of AI adoption, and what agencies should be preparing for next, this is a conversation worth listening to.
To connect with Alex, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Nava by visiting their webpage here.
To connect with Allison, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Aquia by visiting their webpage here.
“Growth is getting harder across GovCon. The companies pulling ahead are not just chasing opportunities, they are building smarter, more scalable businesses from the inside out.”
In this episode, David Blackburn sits down with Miriam Briskin, Manager of GovCon Small Business at Unanet, to discuss what she is hearing directly from small government contractors navigating today’s increasingly competitive federal market.
As a company supporting more than 3,200 project-driven organizations, Unanet continues to work closely with GovCons focused on improving visibility, strengthening operations, modernizing internal systems, and positioning for long-term growth.
David and Miriam explore the common barriers slowing small GovCons down, the patterns emerging among companies that are successfully scaling, get a preview of their new Growth Studio and hear why leaders are taking a much harder look at the intersection of people, process, data, and technology as they prepare for what comes next.
To connect with Miriam, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about Unanet by visiting their webpage here.
