Volume 47
In This Week's Newsletter:
PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES PROGRAM (PROTECH 2.0)
Contact Len: [email protected]
Professional Scientific and Technical Services Program 2 Weather Domain (PROTECH 2.0)
The Department of Commerce (DOC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are expected to release the final Request for Proposal (RFP) for the PROTECH 2.0 contract in late September or October. Since the draft RFP has been available since May, no Pre-solicitation is anticipated before the final RFP is issued.
This $8 billion Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is exclusively for Small Businesses, making it a significant Small Business Set-Aside (SBSA) opportunity. With 22 incumbent contracts set to expire in mid-January 2025, there are excellent chances to secure a spot on this contract vehicle. NOAA aims to stay on schedule with awards before the current contracts expire, barring any delays due to government funding issues.
Stay vigilant on your opportunity feeds for updates on this recompete. For proposal support, contact Hinz Consulting to enhance your chances of winning a spot on this critical contract vehicle.
Four to Follow:
Annual Industry Benchmark Survey
Contact Josh: [email protected]
AI has the power to create synergistic value for multiple companies, partnerships, and client relationships. It can enhance employee efficiency and improve overall operations. However, it’s crucial to recognize that AI is a stealth weapon. If your competitors adopt it before you do, they will gain a significant market advantage.??
Consider a proposal shop using traditional methods versus one leveraging generative AI. Currently, the best generative AI systems in the proposal industry are boosting productivity by 28%. This means your competitor can either bid on 28% more projects or enhance the quality of their existing bids, giving them a competitive edge with compelling content. They can also reduce proposal costs or streamline operations.??
If you’re a large proposal shop and haven’t yet integrated generative AI technology, you’re putting your team and company at risk. At Hinz, we understand these risks. Over the past year, we’ve integrated nine different technologies into our operations to enhance efficiency, stay competitive, and ensure our team of tech-savvy proposal practitioners is ready to give you an edge.??
By augmenting your operations with our expertise, we help you stay ahead in the competitive landscape.?
AFCEA Small Business Breakfast Recap
Contact Angela: [email protected]
Panel Discussion: “How to Grow and Strategize Your Business through Joint Ventures:
At the recent AFCEA NOVA Small Business Breakfast in Reston, VA, a panel of industry professionals met to discuss the benefits of small business joint ventures (JVs) and the Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP). The event highlighted the importance of these partnerships in fostering growth and strategic development for small businesses. The large audience was treated to engaging panel members Perry Kessler, CFO at Metric5, Jomar Ronquillo, President of BLN24, and Stephanie Wilson, Partner and Director of Government Contracts at Berenzweig Leonard LLP.??
The discussion kicked off with a key point by Stephanie who emphasized that “a Mentor-Protégé does not equal a JV,” underscoring the distinct nature of these relationships. Joint ventures involve two small businesses collaborating within the same NAICS code, sharing work and reporting responsibilities. The MPP relationship must be approved by the SBA and is much more restrictive with annual reporting and formal obligations to meet.?
In the Mentor-Protégé Program small businesses are allowed to partner with larger ones under specific government requirements. Mentors are expected to support their protégés with business pipelines, proposal submissions, administrative and financial tasks, and compliance. This relationship, which lasts six years and is limited to two mentors in a lifetime, offers significant benefits to small businesses. Stephanie likened these partnerships to a marriage, stating, “It’s a marriage and you’re there for six years.”?
According to the panel of experts, successful partnerships:?
The event also addressed proposal considerations, noting that both types of relationships can cause confusing language to evaluators. Writers must find a balance between clearly explaining who each company is as well as who they are together to convey that they are a team, especially if there is an oral component. It is also crucial to clearly define roles for each deal, as they should change over time as the small business matures. Perry Kessler drove that point home by saying that protegees should “act like a mentor as soon as [they] can.”??
APMP-NCA’s MAC 2024
Speaking of great events, here’s a few more for you coming up in the next few weeks. Remember, the first time that the client sees your name should NOT be in the proposal! Check out these events online and in the DC Metro Area to network, learn, and be seen by your customers.
About Hinz Consulting
Hinz Consulting provides services across the full business development cycle: