Best Samgov Podcasts (2025)

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15 Rules of Making Money with Sam.Gov (Video) 30:18

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3h ago30:18

30:18

These are the 15 rules we teach in the GovClose certification program on how to consistently win contracts with the U.S. federal government. If you have rules or formulas that you use for government contracting that are not in this video, please share them in the comments. Start Your GovCon Career: https://www.govclose.comGovClose Certification Ove…

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How To Use SAM.Gov to Win Contracts as Small Business Government Contractor 30:36

4d ago30:36

30:36

SAM.Gov is the foundational tool for government contracting. By mastering it's data and how to use SAM.Gov, you will win more contracts. It's not magic, it's just the process for how federal buyers communicate with small businesses. SAM stands for the 'System for Award Management'. In this training, you'll learn: • How to find oppportunities in SAM…

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Understanding Department of War's New Acquisition Transformation Strategy 32:00

16h ago32:00

32:00

President Trump ordered the Department of War to overhaul the entire defense acquisition system, and they did. This new strategy affects every contractor, including small businesses. If you want to stay ahead in FY2026, you need to know exactly what’s changing. In this training, you'll learn: • The biggest shifts in the Department of War’s FY2026 A…

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3 Steps I Take to Turn Industry Day Slides Into Opportunities For 2026 31:44

5h ago31:44

31:44

Federal buyers like AFLCM, use Industry Days to tell us what they need. I use them as ways to identify opportunities that can be won. In this training, you'll learn: • What information is shared during industry days. • How I 'scrub' industry day slide decks to find the most valuable information • Steps I take to turn slides into opportunities _____…

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The Right Way to Use Small Business Certifications 21:12

2d ago21:12

21:12

From 8(a) reviews and HUBZone audits to new verification standards for woman-owned and veteran-owned businesses, there’s a clear message coming from Washington: these programs are being watched more closely than ever. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a reminder that certifications were never meant to replace value — they were designed to hi…

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70+ Staffing Opportunities in Federal Agencies for You to Pursue in FY2026 32:05

3d ago32:05

32:05

Finding staffing contracts in federal agencies is a process It can seem overwhelming until you know the steps… here's mine. In this training, you'll learn: • How I identified almost 100 'staffing' contracts to pursue in FY2026 • How I determine which are the best fit for me • What I do after identifying opportunities that look like a good fit. ____…

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How the SBA's WOSB Certification Fails Women-Owned Small Businesses 31:29

16h ago31:29

31:29

The WOSB Program should deliver value to WOSBs… but it does not. This is not my opinion, it is a fact based on awarded contracts. And this isn't a complaint, it's a recognition driving me to train WOSBs how to have success despite the certification. In this training, you'll learn: • The facts about the WOSB program • How the SBA gaslights WOSBs • W…

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5 Tips for Writing Better Proposals to Federal Agencies in FY2026 31:31

3d ago31:31

31:31

If you do what all your competitors do, you'll be an also ran. Doesn't mean you won't write a decent proposal, but it does mean you won't appear any different. But it's not that hard to stand out from your competitors by writing better proposals. In this training, you'll learn: • Why starting early matters most • Being success must begin with being…

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My Step-by-Step Guide for Picking the Best Teammates in the Federal Market 30:55

17h ago30:55

30:55

Stop teaming with your friends! That's bad for you and them. You both end up losing too often. Instead, team up with the best company to help you win the contract. Of course that might sometimes be your friends, but often it really is not. You both deserve to win more. In this training, you'll learn: • How to set the criteria needed for a perfect t…

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5 Tips for Week 5 of the Government Shutdown | Keep Moving While DC Sleeps 31:32

3d ago31:32

31:32

I get it. It sucks that the federal government is shut down. But we can't control that, only the actions we take. Here are 5 tips for this week that will ensure we keep moving forward even though our customer is not. In this training, you'll learn: • How to keep your pipeline moving even when agencies aren’t buying • The daily habits that separate …

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Hidden GSA Tools Every Small Business GovCon Should Be Using in 2026 32:07

17h ago32:07

32:07

Some of the most helpful tools for GovCons are on GSA's site. Successful small businesses master federal tools like those that GSA makes available. In this training, you'll learn: • How to find tools you can use • Which tools will help you as you try to win contracts • Where GSA is going in this 2025/2026 transition ________________________________…

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How to Create Win Themes That Make Federal Buyers Choose You 30:28

10d ago30:28

30:28

Most proposals sound the same in the federal market. Great ones stand out because of clear Win Themes. A Win Theme ensures all of your activity leads to differentiating your company in a way buyers will value. In this training, you'll learn: • What are Win Themes • How Win Themes strengthen proposals sent to federal buyers • Simple framework you ca…

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The #1 Follow-Up Mistake After Conferences (and How to Fix It) 30:46

3d ago30:46

30:46

I just returned from two, back-to-back Defense focused events. Here's how I ensure they have lasting value and how you can too. In this training, you'll learn: • How to triage all the leads you identified from the conference • Short-term steps to take that will turn a lead into part of your network • Long-term steps to make sure your new leads don'…

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What Federal Buyers Really Think When They Look You and Your Company Up 31:41

17h ago31:41

31:41

Federal buyers and teammates are stalking you online. They're trying to find you and decide if you're worth their time. This is called in-bound sales and counts for 99% of your business' growth. In this training, you'll learn: • Where federal buyers go to look you and your company up • What signals tell a federal buyer not to select you • Why teamm…

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The Blueprint That Wins Government Contracts (Step by Step) 14:15

6d ago14:15

14:15

Start Your GovCon Career: https://www.govclose.com In this special podcast episode, I go over the step-by-step process we teach in the GovClose certification program for winning government contracts. GovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov…

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Security Clearance Jobs That Pay (and then some) 20:00

8d ago20:00

20:00

If you are a veteran or federal worker and have a security clearance, you may qualify for very high-paying job. Companies pay a premium for people that have been through the security clearance process. It saves time, and you're already vetted. But there's one job most people don't think about when leveraging a clearance. This is unfortunate because…

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College Kids Choose Government Contracting (Because it Pays) 14:32

13d ago14:32

14:32

GovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programWhy are college-age kids choosing government contracting as a career path and succeeding at it? There is a big debate going on in this country about the price of a college education vs. what you actually get for it. Choosing a career can be difficult for young p…

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The First Rule of Sam.gov..... Don't Use Sam.gov 15:37

24d ago15:37

15:37

Here's a statistic that will shock you: According to SBA data, there are 34.7 million small businesses in the United States. Yet only 78,677 companies—just 0.23%—won federal contracts in FY24. That's less than a quarter of one percent competing for $774 billion in annual contract opportunities. Why is this number so low? It's not because the opport…

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How To Keep Selling During a Government Shutdown as a Small Business 29:34

16d ago29:34

29:34

I know it can seem like there's nothing we can do while the government is shut down, but that's not the case. Winners make things happen. Others either 'watch it happen' or 'ask what happened'. To survive the shutdown, you need to be one of the companies 'making it happen'. In this training, you'll learn: • What is really shutdown during the FY2026…

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Introduction to Federal Market Stakeholders - People You Will Talk To 31:53

19d ago31:53

31:53

As a government contractor, you'll meet so many people. We call them stakeholders when we group them like you see below. By understanding who they are, you can create plans for meeting them. In this training, you'll learn: • About Federal Buyer Stakeholders • About Teaming Partner Stakeholders • About (free and paid) Supporting Stakeholders _______…

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Federal Sales Success Begins with Your Core Competency - What You Sell 31:28

19d ago31:28

31:28

If you do not specialize, you will not succeed. This is true for athletes - they don't play every sport. This is true for doctors - they don't specialize in every part of the body. And this is true with government contractors. In this training, you'll learn: • What is a core competency • Why buyers need you to specialize not be a generalist • Why a…

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How I Get 1st Meetings with Federal Buyers and Teammates 29:10

20d ago29:10

29:10

Everyone says you need to meet with federal buyers and teammates? But how? Is the most common question. If you can land 1st meetings with a buyer, you can get a 2nd meeting. And anyone who can have two meetings with a buyer has started and is building a strategic relationship that will lead to sales. In this training, you'll learn: • Why you should…

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Maximize AUSA 2025 Success Without Even Attending or Paying 30:07

23d ago30:07

30:07

AUSA 2025 is the must-attend event for anyone in the defense sector. But what if you can't make it to DC in person? You can still network and build relationships outside of the three days. When you think about it, how can anyone meet even a fraction of the over 44K people expected to be there? They can't. You and they need a plan for pre and post e…

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Gov Shutdown: What Federal Workers Should Do 19:03

1M ago19:03

19:03

At the time of this recording, the U.S. federal government is shut down and it is affecting federal employees, contractors, and even some military. In this video, I discuss how federal experience can be valuable to companies selling to the U.S. government. We also go over potential paths to bring on consulting clients that can help mitigate a shutd…

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How To Do Business With Navy as a Small Business Government Contractor 31:10

25d ago31:10

31:10

The Navy is one of the largest buyers in the federal government, awarding billions in contracts every year to businesses of all sizes. Understanding how they buy, what they buy, and how to get your company in front of the right people is critical to winning work with the US Navy. In this training, you'll learn: • How the Navy organizes and funds co…

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How WOSBs Can Win More Federal Contracts in FY2026 and Hit Revenue Goals 32:14

25d ago32:14

32:14

WOSBs should not wait for federal agencies. You can make your owns success when you understand the same process others have followed for years. In this training, you'll learn: • How vital a Clear, Focused Offer is to your success • Why 'Strategic' Relationships opens doors • Steps to take to push opportunities to WOSB set aside ____________________…

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Why Government Contract Sales Jobs Pay So Well in 2026 14:07

1M ago14:07

14:07

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The High Paying Job Military Veterans Never Heard Of 10:43

1M ago10:43

10:43

Start Your GovCon Career: https://www.govclose.com In this episode, I walk through One of the best-paying careers for military veterans and retirees. I go step-by-step why government contracting will pay for your military service, including: How to position yourself correctly How much an account executive working for a company selling to the govern…

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From VR Headsets to Weapons Systems: How Anduril Cracked the Defense Market Code 9:16

2M ago9:16

9:16

Read the complete breakdown on Anduril and other companies selling to the US government at: https://federalytics.substack.com Government Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-program Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/…

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The Reasons I Started a Consulting Business (and How AI Can Scale It Fast) 14:24

2M ago14:24

14:24

Government Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comGet Free Weekly Government Contracting Business Tips: https://federalytics.substack.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programIn this video, you’ll learn the 10 biggest reasons to start your own consulting business, how to package your skills into a…

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Subcontracting: How to Enter the Nuclear Supply Chain 8:31

2M ago8:31

8:31

Get the full DOE report on Substack: https://federalytics.substack.com/p/the-186-billion-small-business-roadmapGovernment Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comFull DOE Intelligence Report (Federalytics): federalytics.substack.comDOE Contracts: Two Markets, One Oligopoly — Where Small Businesses (and Investors) Actually WinThe Department of Ener…

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How to Sell AI Agents to the Government 7:44

2M ago7:44

7:44

Get free training on breaking into government contracting: https://www.govclose.com Deep dive on the analytics behind AI in this week's edition of Federalytics: https://federalytics.substack.com/p/federal-ai-contract-intelligenceEveryone’s talking about AI agents and AI assistance – and the U.S. government is listening. In this video, a former DoD …

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How Harold Won a $1.8M Sub-Contract With The US Army 28:40

2M ago28:40

28:40

FREE Training: https://www.govclose.comSchedule a Enrollment Consultation: https://www.govclose.com/enrollment-interviewGovClose Certification OVERVIEW: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programHow does a small cybersecurity company land a government contract with the U.S. Army worth $1.8 million? In this interview, Harold shares how …

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International & Foreign Military Sales 52:17

2M ago52:17

52:17

Get the GovClose Certification: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certificationZach Selch has been called the most interesting salesman in the world. He’s sold in 135 countries, closed deals with over 100 governments, and built global sales empires. In this interview, Zach breaks down what it really takes to win overseas—whether you’re selling helicop…

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Pentagon Buys Ozempic at Alarming Speed 7:17

3M ago7:17

7:17

Get the GovClose Certification: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certification Free Book Download: https://www.dodcontract.com/In this video, former Air Force acquisitions officer Richard C. Howard (Lt Col Ret) breaks down a surprising new procurement trend: the Department of Defense quietly spending millions on GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic.W…

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Forrest Underwood: The Future of Defense Contracting 55:41

3M ago55:41

55:41

In the GovClose Certification Program, our students learn the government contracting skills to: Start their own consulting business that can earn up to $400k as a “solopreneur” advising businesses that sell to the government. Land high-paying sales executive jobs with companies selling to the government. From Special Ops to the Pentagon: Forrest Un…

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The AI Government Contracting Gold Rush 1:08:20

3M ago1:08:20

1:08:20

The AI gold rush is real—and the federal government is pouring billions into data-center buildouts and high-performance computing infrastructure.In this live session, former government acquisitions officer, Richard Howard, shows you exactly how the government buys these types of services, products, and technology, how to sell to the U.S. government…

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Best & Worst Gov Contracting Tools in 2025 46:39

3M ago46:39

46:39

In the GovClose Certification Program our students learn the government contracting skills to:1. Start their own consulting business that can earn up to $400k as a "solopreneur" advising businesses that sell to the government.2. Land high-paying sales executive jobs with companies selling to the government.3. Build predictable pipelines and win gov…

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How to Land Your First $4K/Month Government Contracting Client 37:04

4M ago37:04

37:04

Start a consulting business in the federal contracting: https://govclose.com GovClose graduate Des Daniels shares how he went from running his own small government contracting business to landing high-ticket B2B clients and growing a consulting firm — while traveling the world.We talk about the challenges of selling to the government vs. selling B2…

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Why You Can't Sell To The Government 1:08:30

4M ago1:08:30

1:08:30

Join me, Rick Howard (Lt Col, Ret.), as I break down everything you need to know about government contracts for small businesses, from what they are, how to find them, and the secrets to winning. Learn how to leverage set-asides, certifications, and market research to position your business or career in this lucrative space. Get the GovClose Certif…

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SAM.gov Is a Dumpster Fire — Here’s What Smart Operators Actually Use 1:20:38

4M ago1:20:38

1:20:38

In this episode, former U.S. Air Force acquisitions officer Rick Howard walks you through a powerful strategy for uncovering pre-solicitation government contract opportunities without ever using SAM.gov. If you're relying solely on SAM, you're already behind. Rick dives into how to use Acquisition Forecasts, navigate agency procurement portals, and…

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GSA Contracts Step by Step in 2025 58:58

5M ago58:58

58:58

We're answering all the questions people are asking about GSA. We cover: GSA Advantage, GSA rates and GSA labor rates, e-library GSA, what is GSA? We give you the history, talk about GSA schedules, and how to apply for the schedules. Learn from GSA government officials that I have interviewed and what the GSA catalog looks like. Learn how to shape …

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Death of The Middleman: GSA Just Made It's Move 9:23

5M ago9:23

9:23

GSA just changed the game. On May 28th, a letter went out to major value-added resellers—and it wasn’t good news for the middlemen. The government is moving toward direct deals with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and that means major changes are coming for federal sales.Train with UsLearn how to shape deals, work directly with federal age…

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This Veteran Business Closed $42M In 5 Years 49:22

5M ago49:22

49:22

Want to know how real small businesses actually win government contracts? In this live session, I’ll reverse engineer the exact moves one federal contractor made to break into the market—and how you can apply the same strategy. We’re not just talking theory. You’ll see: How to find and study real contract award data The key actions that led to thei…

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Linkedin Can Win (or Lose) Your Government Contract! 37:47

6M ago37:47

37:47

Establishing a #linkedin profile that builds credibility and trust in the government contracting community os essential!! Former DoD Program Manager Rick Howard reveals his 3-step LinkedIn system used by 175+ GovClose students to build trust, attract federal buyers, and grow revenue—without spamming anyone.Learn more at: https://www.govclose.comFre…

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How to Win Government Contracts: Federal Sales Blueprint 9:15

6M ago9:15

9:15

How to Win Government Contracts: Federal Sales Blueprint That Even a 10-Year-Old Can Master (My Kid Did!)"This is the blueprint for winning government contracts" - Former Air Force Lt Col Richard Howard breaks down the exact 4-step federal sales process he used to manage $82 BILLION in contracts. So simple, he taught his own 10-year-old (and his 6-…

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3 Hidden SAM.gov Features Can Replace $1,000 GovCon Tools 10:56

6M ago10:56

10:56

Before you spend another dollar on third-party GovCon tools, watch this. SAM.gov has powerful built-in features that most people ignore—but they can completely change how you find and win federal contracts. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through 3 hidden features in SAM.gov that will: • Automate your market research• Save your searches • Send you …

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Proposal Writing: 5 Fatal Errors To Avoid 33:25

6M ago33:25

33:25

If you're submitting government proposals in 2025, this Government Contract Proposal Checklist could be the difference between winning and losing. In this exclusive interview, GovClose graduate Desmond Daniels breaks down the 5 biggest mistakes companies make on federal RFPs — and how to avoid them. Whether you're new to government contracting or l…

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High Salary BD Job In 3 Steps 14:23

6M ago14:23

14:23

Most people think the only way to get a government contracting job is by applying online. But that’s exactly why they never hear back.In this video, former DoD acquisitions officer Richard C. Howard reveals a step-by-step strategy for how to get a government contracting job in 2025 — without filling out a single application. Get My Free Training On…