
GSA Schedule: DIY vs Consultant—Costs, Risks & How to Win
DIY gives you control; consultants save time and reduce rework—if you hire the right one. This guide compares costs, risks, red flags, and the concrete steps to win business after award so your Schedule becomes a growth engine, not a shelf trophy.

Do You Need a GSA Schedule in FY26? A Practical Decision Guide
A GSA Schedule can be powerful—but not for everyone, and not at every moment. This practical FY26 decision guide helps you evaluate timing, costs, readiness, buyers, and ROI so you can choose confidently. Includes a free checklist and the most common pitfalls to avoid.

Contract Consolidation Is Here: What It Means for Small Business Federal Sales in FY26
Contract consolidation is changing how small businesses win Federal work. Here’s what’s actually happening in FY26, why it matters, and the moves that keep you visible, credible, and competitive—from choosing the right vehicles to strengthening relationships and positioning. Get practical steps you can act on this quarter.

When Federal Growth Stalls: Regain Momentum and Win
When Federal growth stalls, you can pivot, refocus, and win again. Learn proven strategies to regain momentum and grow your government contracting business.

WIRED Bid No Bid Federal Contracting Guide: How to Decide—and Win More
Before you chase the next RFP, ask one crucial question: should you even bid? In federal contracting, many losses happen before the proposal is written—when you pursue opportunities where another bidder may already have a strong advantage, and you’ve started too late to close the gap. Learn the WIRED framework to spot contracts that might be favoring a bidder who’s already been working the opportunity hard, so you can focus on the ones you can truly compete for.

How to Get Your Federal Buyer to “Yes” by September 30th
Federal buyers are under pressure—and so are you. Learn what makes a Contracting Officer say “yes,” what to stop doing, and how to stand out this September.

Beyond the FAR: How to Build Relationships with Contracting Officers and Win Federal Contracts in a Chaotic Year
Federal contracting is shifting fast, but opportunities remain for those who build real connections. Discover how to engage contracting officers, navigate FAR changes, and avoid costly mistakes — so you can win federal contracts even in a turbulent 2025. Learn practical steps that keep you visible and trusted in the market.

They Took Your Call… But Don’t Need You Yet. Here’s What to Do Next
They returned your call… but said they don’t need anything right now. That’s not a brush-off — it’s a window. This post introduces 10 micro engagement moves you can use to stay relevant, build trust, and position yourself for the next opportunity. Smart follow-up isn’t pressure — it’s presence.

How To Engage Federal Buyers In Q4
In Q4, staying top-of-mind matters more than ever. These fast, low-pressure micro engagement strategies help you reconnect with federal buyers and win last-minute work.
Why Q4 2025 Is Different — and Why It Matters
This Q4 is unlike any before. With widespread freezes on spending authority, agency reorganizations, shifting priorities under the new Administration, and ongoing staff cuts across procurement teams, federal buyers are navigating deep uncertainty. Meanwhile, a full-scale rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is in motion—reshaping how agencies buy, even before the ink is dry. In this climate, vendors who stay visible, helpful, and relationship-ready are the ones who get through. This post shows you exactly how.

From Past to Prime: How to Reconnect with Federal Buyers and Win Before Year-End
The easiest federal contract to win isn’t a new one — it’s the next one with a buyer who already knows and trusts you. As year-end approaches, Contracting Officers are under pressure to obligate funds quickly. That’s why vendors who are visible, familiar, and low-risk often win — even without being the cheapest. In this blog, you’ll learn how to reconnect with past buyers, restart conversations with quiet contacts, and ask for referrals in ways that are confident, professional, and completely natural. Plus, we’ll show you how one small $10K project led to nearly $1 million in awards — all because someone asked the right question. If Q4 wins are on your 2025 growth plan, this is where to start.

Stand Out or Miss Out: How to Prepare for Federal Industry Outreach Events in 2025
Federal Industry Outreach Events are still happening in 2025 — but with fewer government decision-makers in the room, every moment of face time matters more than ever. Budget cuts and staffing reductions mean agencies are stretched thin, and your preparation needs to be sharper, faster, and more relevant to stand out. This post walks you through how to prepare, what to bring, what buyers are looking for, and how to follow up effectively. If you’re ready to make a strong impression and build relationships that lead to contracts, this is the guide you need.

Unlock Hidden Federal Contract Opportunities: How Strategic Contractors Win in 2026
Part 1 of 2. Want to find federal contracts before your competitors do? Federal award data holds the clues—but most contractors don’t know how to read them. Discover how top Federal contractors use contract award data to focus their business development efforts, build meaningful relationships with decision-makers, and target opportunities before they’re competed. This blog compares what you get from free public sources like SAM.gov, FPDS, and USAspending.gov to spot the agencies and Contracting Officers already spending in your niche. If you’re tired of your team chasing every SAM.gov notice with little return, this post will help everyone get on the faster track to meet your goals and win the work you deserve. We’ll walk you through free Federal data tools, how to find and research real buyers, and share a case study on why that insight is the foundation for a streamlined, winnable prospect list.

How to Use SAM.gov and Federal Contract Data to Build Buyer Relationships and Win
Part Two of Two: If you want to stop chasing RFPs and start targeting the right buyers with smarter outreach, this is your playbook. You’ll discover how to identify trends, time your outreach, and pinpoint opportunities your competitors overlook. Whether you’re new to Federal market research or a seasoned pro looking for sharper strategies, this post gives you step-by-step guidance to turn award data into revenue. You’ll learn how to shift from reactive bidding to proactive planning—by identifying which agencies buy what you sell, which contract vehicles they use, and when current contracts are ending. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a BD team, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to unlock new Federal contract opportunities—faster and with less guesswork.

5 Proven Strategies to Market Your GSA Schedule and Win More Federal Contracts
Winning federal contracts requires more than compliance and pricing—it demands strong relationships with government buyers. To succeed in federal contracting, you must align with agency priorities, earn trust, and become a go-to partner.

Using LinkedIn to Win Government Contracts: Build Trust & Connect with Buyers
Master LinkedIn to Win Government Contracts in 2025! 🚀 With over 2.8 million Federal employees on LinkedIn, including key decision-makers, this platform is a game-changer for government contractors. But LinkedIn’s 2025 algorithm update means organic reach has dropped by 65%—making strategic engagement essential to building relationships and growing your pipeline. Learn how to optimize your profile, leverage high-impact content formats (carousels, PDFs, infographics), and boost engagement to stay visible and win Federal business. Don’t get left behind—discover the latest LinkedIn strategies now! #GovCon #LinkedInForContractors

GovCon 2025: Key Strategies & Emerging Opportunities for Federal Contractors
Winning the game in 2025’s fast-moving Federal contracting arena requires agility amid policy shifts, budget changes, and agency restructuring. Contractors must prepare for a higher risk of shutdowns and contract terminations with fiscal strategies and contingency plans. Emerging opportunities in audit, reporting, program support, compliance, facilities management, AI, and IT modernization await those who build strong relationships with federal buyers.

What Are The Easiest Government Contracts To Win?
Discover the easiest government contracts to win and how small businesses can secure contracts more easily without costly RFPs. Learn strategies for micro-purchases, simplified acquisitions, and set-asides to build relationships and win federal contracts faster. 🚀 #GovCon #SmallBusiness

Government Decision-Makers, Influencers to Know to Win Contracts
Explore the five key personas, what they care about, and how you can build the strong, trust-based relationships with them that lead to contract awards and business growth.

Ten Tactics To Grow Your Federal Business This Year
Introduction You’ve got 3-7 years of Federal experience (prime, sub, or both). You want more wins — in your current agencies, new ones, maybe more vehicles, and more prime work. I’ve got your back! What to do, who can help, and what free resources can you use right away? Here are some proven tools and

It’s a Wrap: Determining Wrap Rates to Price Competitively
Discover how to give Federal buyers the competitive pricing they need to award the contract while giving you the profit you need to thrive.

Finding The Right Federal Opportunities
Federal business success takes more than deep pockets to fund continuous bidding. The top companies master skills that include building relationships, understanding the nuances of contract vehicles…and making hard choices about where to invest time and money in the opportunities they are most likely to win. This article explores the impact of capture choices on corporate performance, profitability, and the ability to attract and retain key personnel.

How To Win Business With Department of Veteran Affairs
Summit Insight’s clients get the latest market intelligence they need for their capture plans, and learn how to turn that into wins. One example is this Veterans Affairs VISN map. Find out why it’s important, and how you should be using it..

Open Your Calls with This Simple Method to Quickly Build Trust
This blog is a collaboration with guest contributors at the Hi-Q Group. Have you ever felt anxious meeting a new Federal buyer or contractor? Whether it’s a video call or a simply a coffee break, meeting anyone for the first time and stepping outside of your comfort zone can be exciting. But sometimes, that excitement

Win More Federal Government Bids—Focus On The People
Winning contracts requires connecting with the right people at the right time in the right way with the right offering. This is indeed a tall order, but you absolutely can take steps to make it happen. Summit Insight consistently helps clients build their way to winning proposals with ten proven tactics. And “Connecting” with the influencers and decision-makers is one of the foundation stones.

What Teaming Is, and What It Isn’t
Many Government contracts today are set-aside for small businesses, or certain types of small businesses, and the proportion of set-aside contracts will most likely continue to grow in the future. Indeed, the Biden administration recently stated that it views the Government’s “procurement power” as a means to even the playing field for certain disadvantaged groups,

Innovation in Federal BD: The PALM – Players and Layers Methodology®
Would it surprise you to know that there are FIVE LAYERS to every federal business opportunity? For over 33 years, I’ve worked with established companies in every industry from the intelligence community to additive manufacturing. And every time I unpack this for seasoned business development professionals, their eyes light up. Here’s why. Once you know

Consolidated GSA Multiple Award Schedule Opportunities and Hazards
What’s the MAS Consolidation About? GSA’s revamped Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program simplifies the acquisition process for both agencies and contractors. Under the program, businesses and their offerings are pre-vetted and easily accessible, removing burdensome requirements for contractors to sell their products/services, and for agencies to purchase them. Initially, GSA Schedules consisted of 24 separate

Why Should I Pay Attention to Sources Sought and RFIs?
Our Federal buyers want to get to know us before we invest the big bucks to write those big bids! Pre-solicitation activities like Sources Sought and Requests for Information open the door to building the relationships we need to succeed. Here’s how we know. Skip Blackburn, capture expert and CEO of BIT Solutions, points out

GovCon Tryouts Have Been Announced!
Mastering Industry Outreach Meetings… Tryouts are announced! Coach announced his goals for the season and the tryout announcement said, “All interested in being on the team need to be ready for the tryouts on Wednesday at 3 PM. Team session first and then individual try-outs. Bring your gear and be ready to show the coach

FY21 Opportunity Outlook for Federal Contractors
We had such and exciting webinar with The Pulse of GovCon, talking about GovCon opportunity in this new administration, we wanted to share some of the highlights. You can download the full webinar below. Don’t miss out on this can’t miss information. As we enter 2021, the Government Contracting industry is benefiting from a 10-year

How To Win Contracts In A New Administration
For many GovCons, contract spending is slower right now, as departments and agencies await new budget authority, new priorities, and new leaders. Seasoned GovCons are relaxed. They’re patiently calling on their Federal buyers, even while “nobody knows anything.” Why aren’t they worried, and why are they in such a great mood? In this post, we’ll

Stand Out by How you Engage…..LESS is More
So you are just hanging up the phone after talking with the government POC for the meeting with the potential customer team, excited that you have a chance to engage in the upcoming acquisition with some ideas you have had for a while on the challenges the government may face in improving the services you

What is Come Together for GovCon Conversations with Contracting Officers??
GovCon Resources to help you grow your Federal Business First, what the heck is “Come Together for GovCon Conversations with Contracting Officers”?? It’s not a webinar. It’s not a class. It’s FULL-ON ENGAGEMENT. It’s raw courage to have live conversations with real contracting officers to tackle the toughest challenge in GovCon: How YOU can get

5 Perfect Gifts For Your Team
5 Perfect Gifts For Your Team Still looking for the right gifts for your GovCon team or your colleagues?Help is here. All of us in GovCon — solo-preneurs, business owners, contractors — rely on a mix of trusted advisors, partners, employees, and contractors all year long. Our success depends on attracting the best people into

How To Win Contracts In A New Administration
How To Win Contracts In A New Administration A new Administration can make late fall and early winter an anxious time in the Federal contracting arena. Many Federal employees and GovCons feel anxious and uncertain: how will program priorities, budgets, and jobs be affected in the months ahead? Pandemic continues to stress our personal and

How did FY20 rate on the GovCon Pain Scale for you?
You’ve probably seen this at the doctor’s office or ER, especially if you’ve been there with kids. Here’s why it matters to you now. If you do business with the Federal government, this question How did FY20 rate on the GovCon Pain Scale for you? is vital for your survival right now. Here’s why. If

Commit To Your Federal Sales Goals
If you were successful beyond your wildest dreams in federal FY 2021, what would be true for you 12 months from now? Committing to your Federal Sales Goals will help you get there. https://growfedbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Commit-To-Your-Goals.mov Think of them not just in terms of that big dollar figure, but also in terms of things like these: Number

Federal Sales Plan Hot Wash
Your next step to a great Federal new year is your Hot Wash. Evaluate and create a Federal Sales Plan that works. Your next step to a great Federal new year is your Hot Wash. Evaluate and create a Federal Sales Plan that works. Read on to find out: What’s a hot wash? Who should

The Perfect Gift: 4 (Allowable) Gifts to Give to Your Federal Prospects and Buyers at Fiscal Year End
Easy, powerful, ways to build trust and pWIN all year long At the end of the fiscal year, and all year-long, really, Federal buyers need ways to come to know, like and trust you. In a previous post, I covered the most important of those ways—The 12x Factor: How to Close More Federal Contracts at Fiscal

Doing Business With The Smithsonian Institution: A Vendor’s Story
What would you do if the missing link between you and a federal contract win was a few conversations with somebody you care about? For the most part, I serve people who want to win federal contracts. That’s been my profession for over 30 years.

Hot, Dry, Barren: But…Signs of Life?
You know how hard Federal contracting is. You’ve had those weeks, those months: no signs of life anywhere. You turn over the rocks, you dig. Everything seems absolutely uninhabited. Nobody’s returning calls. No opportunities. Nothing. And yet. You know that Federal agency is spending money. In fact, your competitor is winning some of it, and

Whitelisting Summit Insight Emails
Signed up for Summit Insight emails and haven’t received any? I can help! Make sure Summit Insight addresses are added to your email whitelist so your access to our content and updates isn’t interrupted. What’s a whitelist? An e-mail whitelist is a list of approved e-mail addresses or domain names you can personally select so

Ten Ways To Tell If That Federal Contract Is Wired For Someone Else
You’ve just seen that federal contract opportunity on FedBizOps. It looks perfect for you! But there’s not a lot of lead time. You want to give it your best effort to win! Should you submit that Federal bid? Or do they have someone else in mind? Here are ten things you need to look at!

Is A GSA Schedule For You? How to Tell
A General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contract isn’t part of every company’s federal success strategy. Yes, it’s a popular kind of contract. It’s essential for some companies selling certain products or services to specific buyers. But the effort to get one also takes big upfront resources of time or money, usually both. Related: What’s A