Contract Wins & Industry Insights

On April 30, 2026, the White House issued a sweeping new directive—Promoting Efficiency, Accountability, and Performance in Federal Contracting—that is poised to significantly reshape how federal contractors approach pricing, risk, and delivery. At its core, the Executive Order (EO) establishes firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracting as the government’s preferred default, signaling a decisive shift away from cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials structures. This is not just a

Have you ever tried to scrub out a stain so aggressively that you ended up making a hole? That’s exactly what can happen to your proposal when color reviews are overused or misused. What is meant to strengthen your submission can ultimately weaken it, reducing quality, slowing progress, and frustrating your team. Color reviews are powerful but only when done right. Common Color Review Faux Pas Even experienced proposal teams fall into these traps: 1. Too Many Reviews, Not Eno

Last week, Marina Goren, President/CEO of Smart BD Consulting, had the privilege of serving as an instructor for the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) AEROSPACE 2026 program—an intensive three-day training designed to help veteran-owned small businesses grow and succeed in the federal marketplace. The VIP AEROSPACE program brings together veteran entrepreneurs from across the country for hands-on training and expert-led sessions focused on critical areas of business gr