With over 25 years of hands-on government contracting experience, Neil McDonnell is a leading small business advocate in the federal marketplace. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the US Army, Navy, US Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House. As president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce, Neil hosts daily LinkedIn live training and teaches the strategies and skills required to build ...
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Talking Law with Steve Koprince and Neil McDonnell Today Neil McDonnell welcomed Steven J. Koprince, retired founder of Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC, to talk about the value of lawyers to your government contracting business. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell and Steven J. Koprince to discuss: Informal/ Formal Relationship…
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How To Write Emails That Federal Buyers and Large Firms Open for GovCons There is a fine art to sending emails that help you get a meeting with federal buyers. When you master this skill, you'll start having more meetings that lead to contract success. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains: The framework of a perfect …
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How To Use FPDS To Follow the Money Being Spent by Federal Agencies Every dollar spent by the federal government is tracked in FPDS. Mastering this tool is vital to your company's success. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell discusses: How FPDS data reveals the spending priorities of federal agencies What information in FPDS…
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How to Perform Incumbent Research for Federal Government Contractors When it comes to federal government contracting, understanding the incumbent is crucial for potential bidders. Today I'll show you how to do strategic incumbent research during the Capture management phase of your sales process. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil Mc…
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How to Find Contract Opportunities for Your 2025 Federal Sales Pipeline If you want success in 2025 as a government contractor, then you must have opportunities in your sales pipeline that you can win. One of the easiest ways to fill your pipeline is with contracts that have been awarded before and that you can absolutely support. This is a vital p…
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7 Questions to Ask in 4th Quarter FY24 as Government Contractors End-of-year federal spending creates huge opportunities for small business government contractors. In this training, Neil McDonnell walks through the 7 Most Important Questions your company should ask to evaluate your sales readiness. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil …
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DARPA has $112M for Small Business Innovators Ready to Change the World Join GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell in a fireside chat with Jennifer Thabet, Small Business Program Office Director for DARPA – the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and a champion for small business innovation. ✅ In this live interview, GovCon Chamber presiden…
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Mastering Federal Agency Org Charts in Just 15 minutes a Day Federal Agency Org Charts help you pursue the offices most likely to buy from you. Org charts can guide you 10 levels down to the people with the actual need for the products you sell. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains Helps You Navigate the Agency Speak…
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To get the highest ROI from government contracting events including the 36th Annual Navy Gold Coast Small Business Exposition in San Diego August 19 - 21, 2024, you need to have a focused strategic plan. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains: 5 Actions to take 2 weeks before any conference How to maximize your time at…
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One of the hardest things for small businesses to do is get in federal agency doors. This is most often because they don't know which door or which person to talk with. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains How to search agency websites for names Which agency documents provide key points of contact Top government-owne…
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If you provide (or want to provide) innovative cloud products or services to federal agencies, then you'll need to consider FedRAMP. Today, Neil McDonnell interviews Zyad Nabbus, Principal of DataLock Consulting Group to share his lessons learned as a FedRAMP accredited Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO). ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber …
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Federal buyers search for companies like you’re the same way you might look for a plumber. They may use DSBS, internal databases or other tools but the process is the same. They use keywords and other methods to find you. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains Why you must know the keywords buyers are using How to iden…
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DoD has $2.5B for Small Business Innovators ready to change the world. Join GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell in a fireside chat with Gina Sims, Director of SBIR / STTR Program Office for the US Department of Defense. ✅ In this live interview, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell and Gina Sims discuss: What kind of 'innovation' is DoD is l…
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Federal agencies need your support to accomplish their mission today, tomorrow and into the future. They are looking for Subject Matter Experts who can serve as their trusted advisor. They are experts at their mission, but not necessarily at what your company offers. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains Why it is imp…
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How do you find Federal Agencies who buy what you sell? ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains How to Use Your Top 3 NAICS Codes & PSC to focus your research Which agencies buy what you sell using SAM.gov, FPDS.gov, USASpending.gov, Long-Range Acquisition Forecasts (LRAF), Industry Days & APBIs and GSA eBuy Let Your Co…
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In order to succeed as a small business contractor, you must learn the alphabet-soup of the federal government process. In today's firehose-paced training, GovCon president Neil McDonnell introduces you to the 42 Most Important Acronyms involved in government contracting and why they might be different in different federal agencies. ✅ In this train…
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There are 3 streams of money flowing from the federal budget each year. When you chose the path that fits best with your experience, you will triple your access to opportunities. Most importantly, you want to diversify your streams of revenue to increase success and minimize risk. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains…
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Federal agency matchmaking events can be a waste of time for small business government contractors. There are far better ways to spend your time and money. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains Top reasons matchmaking sessions are a waste of your time How to create your own goals, targets, etc. around meeting agency b…
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Government contracting is not a secret, it's just a process. But the process doesn't have to be complicated. Join today's training to learn my 7-Step Process for Revenue Success and learn how to earn predictable revenue. ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains Why it is important to seek first to understand the buyer, t…
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Trying to catch the attention of federal buyers who decide on contracts can feel like trying to get invited to a super popular party. You want them to notice you and say, "Yes, let's meet!" ✅ In this training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains How to find out who the federal buyers are and what role they play in the acquisition proce…
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Your Value Proposition is your unique selling point, that thing that sets you apart from your competition. Learn to write a strong value proposition that tells federal buyers and prospective teaming partners why your small business should be their preferred vendor. ✅ Today's topics: What is a Value Proposition for government sales? How your Value …
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The federal government prefers to contract with small businesses whenever possible. Contracting officials can use federal set-aside opportunities and sole-source contracts to help their agencies meet their small business contracting goals. Federal agencies reduce competition down to small groups of government contractors by using set-asides. For ex…
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In 2023, Black American Owned Small Businesses were awarded only $5B in federal contract dollars – that's LESS than 1% of the $745B total federal contract dollars. ➣ 14% of America are Black-Americans ➣ 14% x $745B = $104B ... that's $100B short of actual contracts awarded. ✅ GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell reveals– 2023 Status of Federal C…
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Are you just starting your journey into HHS as a small business government contractor? Join us today to streamline your process. Visit GovCon Chamber Agency Profile: HHS | Department of Health and Human Services ✅ Today's topics: Start with org charts to prepare for doing business with HHS Research your customer to uncover agency mission, challenge…
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Government contracting Labor Categories or LCATs, are key to making sure you have the right people in your government contracting jobs. They categories are predefined roles and responsibilities within a project, including the qualifications someone must have to fit an LCAT. ✅ Today's Topics A high-level overview of LCATs How to look at labor catego…
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People think the 8(a) small business program is a golden ticket. Too many qualified SBA-certified 8(a) small business government contractors never learn the basic sales techniques for government contracting. Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows how to strategically use your 8(a) status for better business development. 8 Tips for 8(a…
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The federal government says it wants to level the playing field so small businesses have a shot at federal dollars. Will SBA socio-economic contracting program really help your small business? Which is best: HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB? Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell starts with a reminder that tags do not determine your success in …
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If you are just getting started as a government contractor or aren't making money yet… this training is for you. Government contracting is not a secret, it's just a process. Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell starts with a reminder that that government contracting is NOT a 'get rich quick scheme." Starting a sustainable business to crea…
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There are more than 100,000 separate contract vehicles used for federal contracting. How do you know where to find one to start selling to the government? Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explainswhat a contract vehicles and how they are used? What are the 10 Common Goods Categories What is Category Management? What are the Category V…
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It is possible to become a successful federal government contractor – even if you don't have past performance experience in the federal space or if you only have commercial experiences. Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains the difference between contracts and past performance and how to present your company to demonstrate your ex…
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Most new small business government contractors follow a predictable growth pattern. They have a quick burst of #contracts and revenue, and then crickets. Did that happen to you? Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains why so many small businesses get stuck when they are growing their government contracting business and what you can …
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Even though a government contract vehicle has been awarded, you can still participate in the contract as a subcontractor. In this training GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains: What are the top myths about contract vehicles? Why Contract Vehicles are the right way to build your government contracting business? The 5 Step Process to beco…
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Imagine if you could write emails that get responses from federal buyers? Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shares his templates for emailing federal buyers and government agencies. Learn to write emails that get answered and start conversations. Overview to the Art of Email for Government Contracting Rules for emailing government buye…
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The majority of federal agencies say they support women owned businesses ... but they don't actually use the set-aside and sole-source tools designed for that reason! Year after year, we can see that the #wosb businesses who are landing government contracts did so in full and open competition, not because the government was committed to the officia…
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Where can you find the right federal buyer in the right federal agency? Today we'll walk step by step to help you find the right person who can help you with your government contracting goals. Too many amazing small business government contracting vendors say they struggle to find the names of federal buyers to call. Where can I look to find the ri…
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Why do federal buyers ignore small business government contractors like you? Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows: 20 reasons why federal buyers may be ignoring you and what you can do to fix the situation Why federal buyers ignore small business government contractors | Inbound reasons Why Federal Buyers Ignore You | Outbound reaso…
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LinkedIn is the only accepted social media platform accepted by the government. Small business government contractors with strong personal and company profiles can start building professional government contracting relationships. Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows: How to find federal agencies on LinkedIn How contractors demonstra…
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The real purpose of a government contracting capability statement is to get you a meeting with federal buyers. Capability statements are the most important marketing tools for small business government contracting. A well-written statement will open doors and persuade government small business specialists to connect you with program officers. ➣ Joi…
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Beginner's Guide to Federal Agency Long-Range Acquisition Forecasts | Government Contracting
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Do you know how to find and interpret federal agency Long-Range Acquisition Forecasts? LRAFs offer a wealth of market research for government contracting small business business development. Long Range Acquisition Forecasts signal anticipated business needs for each agency. ✅ Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows how to identify crit…
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As a small business contractor, don't limit your research to RFIs, Sources Sought, or RFPs to learn about government contracting opportunities. Today, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell shows how to identify critical information in federal agency budgets that will help their business development activities. ✅ Join the discussion on LinkedIn: •…
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USA Spending is an essential tool for government contracting market research. In today's government contracting training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains how to identify and understand spending patterns and government contracting trends, as well as information about other government contractors who might be potential teaming partne…
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In today's government contracting training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell deep dives into the contracting award data for the SBA's 8(a) business development program to showing exactly how much government funding and contracting is going to 8(a) firms. Join the discussion on LinkedIn: "Top Federal Agencies Who Love 8(a) Small Businesses Go…
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Do you know the 11 best places where Small Businesses learn about upcoming federal government contracting opportunities? How can you complete unless you know when and where to look? Opportunities lead to Sales. Join the discussion on LinkedIn: "How Small Business Government Contractors Will Find Opportunities in 2024" | https://www.linkedin.com/eve…
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Sales are lagging indicatorsin government contracting. You need to identify the leading indicators that will guide your Sales Pipeline Planning for 2024. ✅ Today's topics: 2024 Sales Pipeline Planning with dollars & ratios How big should your sales pipeline to hit your revenue goals? Why 2024 prime contracts are really 2025 dollars How many proposa…
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In 2024, small business federal contractors must be 'findable' and 'attractive' to federal market researchers. Don't blame federal buyers for ignoring you if you're invisible. ✅ In today's training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains: How and where federal buyers find small business government contractors What federal buyers want from…
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In order to achieve your 2024 federal government contracting revenue goals, you need to create a Strategic Sales Plan. In 30 minutes, you can create a one page document that will guide your strategies for the year's activity. ✅ In today's training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains: The purpose and scope of a Strategic Plan for gover…
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In this training, Neil McDonnell goes step by step through the 2024 Federal Sales Lifecycle: ✅ TOPICS Overview to the Common Procurement Lifecycle 06:07 Shift Left Strategy 07:26 7 Step Process for Federal Sales Success 11:00 ✅ Three Stages of Contracting ➣ Business Development: the process of understanding an agency, building relationships, and fi…
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In today's LinkedIn live for 2024, Neil McDonnell explains why you should go 'all in' as a federal government contractors. If you are pursuing federal contracts, do it to the exclusion of commercial, federal and state. ✅ TOPICS ➱ What are the major differences between 3 basic markets for B2B (commercial, federal and State, Local, and Education mark…
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In his first week of daily training for 2024, Neil McDonnell returns to the basics. Today, let's review the "The 3 Stages for Making Money as a Government Contractor." After all, "government contracting is not a secret, it's just a process." ✅ TYPICAL PATH of a Government Contractor → You work for someone else ↳ Hire others to work for you and your…
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In his 2nd government contracting training for 2024, Neil McDonnell explains the Three (3) Paths to Federal Revenue and the differences between subcontracting and prime contracting. Your best path depends on the maturity of your small business and your core competencies. Understanding the federal government trillion dollar marketplace 00:49 ✅ THREE…
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