Gov Close Certification Program

Government and tech giants investing billions in nuclear energy—what does this mean for the rest of us? GSA just awarded a $1 billion nuclear energy contract, the largest in its history. This deal will power 13 federal agencies, from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the National Park Service, while also funding energy efficiency upgrades in critical facilities. But the federal government isn’t alone. Microsoft recently signed a 20-year agreement to buy nuclear power from the Three Mile Island reactor. Amazon is investing $500 million in nuclear plants. And Google is backing small modular reactors to power its operations. Why? It provides the consistent, high-capacity power needed to meet our increasing energy demands, has become significantly safer over the years, and boasts a bright future with promising innovations driven by the DOE and advancements in small modular reactors Analyzing large federal contracts, like this historic GSA nuclear deal, is a core part of what we teach at GovClose to help businesses navigate government opportunities effectively. Understanding these investments isn’t just about energy—it’s about spotting trends and finding where your business can fit into the bigger picture. Here’s the real question: how can you position your business to benefit from this transition? #CleanEnergy #NuclearInnovation #BusinessOpportunities

Happy to share that Contract Codes is now GovClose certified. It was a great experience to learn government contracting from the other side. Thank you, Richard C. Howard, Lt Col (Ret) for your expertise!

Where is Government Contracting Headed in 2025? Get your question answered in this live Q&A with Rick Howard.

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Federal Sales Certification from Gov Close Certification Program!

I DO NOT recommend the GSA schedule to my clients unless the following is true: 1. Your target federal office actively uses it to buy WHAT YOU ARE SELLING Before pursuing GSA, research whether government agencies or buyers frequently use it. If they don’t (or it is used minimally) you’re better off focusing on alternative pathways. Simply being on GSA won’t bring contracts to your door— The strategy for utilizing GSA effectively is unique so understand what you are getting into! OR 2. Your federal customer is asking for it. If the contracting officer that you work with is advising you to get on GSA or indicating that their office will start utilizing GSA to buy what you are selling, it’s a clear indicator that it could unlock opportunities for your business (or lose opportunities if you do not). 3. You’re ready for the maintenance. Getting on GSA requires effort—but maintaining it can be just as demanding. Without the resources to handle the administrative workload, GSA can become a distraction instead of a growth driver. The bottom line: The GSA schedule can be valuable, but it’s not for everyone. I always recommend a strategic approach to ensure it aligns with your sales goals and market needs. What’s your take on GSA? Share your experience or questions in the comments. #GovCon #GovernmentSales #GSA #GovClose

What if I told you that most proposal evaluators never read your executive summary? Or that your carefully crafted "WIN themes" may mean absolutely nothing to them? 32 year contracting officer Col (ret) Orndorff started our GovClose proposal writing seminar with this statement recently. "I’ve seen it all—from billion-dollar contracts to warzone procurements. If there’s one thing every contractor needs to hear, it’s this: Read the question, and answer the question. Too often, companies lose out simply because they fail to make it easy for evaluators to find what they’re looking for. Dive into how to structure proposals that win by respecting the evaluator’s time and focus." What are your #governmentcontract #proposal writing tips?

Former government procurement officer and top govcon instructor Rick Howard shows exactly what to say to get a governent o

The "middleman" strategy in government contracting is wasting good peoples time & money. Focus instead on building a business where you provide an outstanding product or service! #governmentcontracting #businessideas #entrepreneur

Learn some basic features of sam.gov to help you win government contracts.

Stop Selling Yourself Short—Your Military Skills Have Value As a reservist, National Guard member, or veteran, you’ve already developed skills that businesses desperately need. Yet I often hear, “I don’t think I’m qualified to start consulting.” Let me tell you something: you are more than qualified. Think about it: Did you lead teams or manage operations? You can help companies improve efficiency. Are you an expert in cybersecurity, logistics, or project management? These are highly valuable consulting niches. The trick is aligning your military experience with problems businesses face and creating an offer that solves those problems. For example: “I help defense contractors win government contracts.” You don’t need decades of experience to make an impact. In fact, many of my most successful clients were reservists or recently separated veterans who simply needed a little guidance. Your military training has already prepared you for the challenges of consulting. Now it’s time to take the leap. Share your thoughts below—I’m here to help. Let me know if you’d like to refine these posts further!