🌟USDA’s Farmer-First Digital Push— Chance to Slash the Paperwork!
Maybe the time to talk about farming and federal technology has come! Because the U.S. The Department of Agriculture just dropped a new policy agenda, and it’s aiming to drag farm loan applications out of the paper age and into the digital era.Okay, that sounds great, But nothing comes without a twist!
The USDA says it’s going to digitize all those clunky, paper-based farmer-facing applications and turn farmers.gov into a slick, one-stop shop for all things ag. Streamlining, digitizing, removing red tape ,basically everything one would want to hear if he is tired of loan applications that look like they were built in 1978.
Now another interesting part comes, the department is also slashing staff as part of a reorganization.Yes, trying to digitally transform without digital talent. It’s like trying to plant a field with no tractor. The effort to modernize farmer services actually started under Trump 1.0, picked up steam during Biden’s term, 16 pages cut from the farm loan app in 2023 , and now again with Trump 2.0 trying to push it across the finish line. But USDA has already lost thousands of employees including a good group of its digital and CX (customer experience) brainpower, including people from the USDA Digital Service team. One source says around 30% of IT staff are already gone.
So now the question is: how exactly does the USDA plan to revolutionize farmer applications when the folks who write the code, design the UX, and handle the back-end are MIA? Yes, that’s the big question, and it’s one that Amira Choueiki Boland ,former CX lead at OMB is asking too. Let’s not forget, USDA had a good thing going. They worked with GSA’s Centers of Excellence to roll out a farm loan discovery tool, hired a CXO from COE, and beefed up their in-house digital team. But now that team’s looking more like a skeleton crew, and the dream of a truly modern, farmer-first USDA feels like it’s caught between ambition and attrition.
So for industry insiders, this is a clear signal that there’s opportunity here as USDA still needs help digitizing services, rebuilding CX capacity, and deploying platforms farmers will actually use. Butl need to bring not just technology chops, but empathy and usability insight, especially as staffing gaps put pressure on existing programs. Contracts could be coming for shared services, digital tools, and CX support. Watch this space like a field of opportunity.
Because America’s farmers deserve better than a loan app that requires a fax machine, and might just get the GovCon hero they’ve been waiting for.
📜 COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION UPDATES
Alright, new contractors, buckle up for a fun lesson on nailing market research. With the Trump administration’s new rewriting Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 a lot of work still to be done!
The General Services Administration (GSA) dropped the “Practitioner Album,” your key pass to streamlined market research. Forget stuffy-confusing boomer written rules this album lets you rock market research your way. You will have the moves like reverse industry days or expert panels. The small business mandates are gone! Start jamming with industry early to craft killer solutions and speed up awards. GSA’s “procurement co-pilot” is your trusty sidekick, helping you ace cost estimates and spot vendors fast. Need help? “Market research as a service” has your back with outreach and paperwork. Plus, electronic RFIs make market research a breeze, cutting costs by keeping things tidy. Jump into this market research revolution now, and share feedback to keep the vibe strong!
Procurement Protest Summary
K&K JL Services, Inc., a small business from Concord, California, contested the terms of RFP No. FA480025R0009 issued by the Department of the Air Force for procurement at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The protester claimed the requirement for two past performance references, each valued over $1 million annually, was overly restrictive, limiting competition. The Air Force justified the procurement criteria, stating they align with the contract’s significant value and performance demands. Citing WILLCOR Inc. (B-422358, May 22, 2024), the agency demonstrated such procurement standards are reasonable. The protest was dismissed as the requirements were deemed fair and necessary for ensuring quality procurement services. K&K JL Services’ challenge failed, affirming the Air Force’s approach to securing capable procurement contractors for JBLE.
🔓How to Find Big Contracts as a Small Business!
Finding big contracts as a small business can feel like fishing in a vast ocean with a tiny boat. The waters are deep, the fish are large, and the competition is fierce. But just as a skilled fisherman knows where to cast his net, a small business can learn to navigate the market and reel in valuable opportunities.
First, understand your bait. Large companies and government agencies look for reliable partners. They want efficiency, quality, and trust. Your business might not have decades of reputation, but you have unique strengths. Maybe you offer a personal touch that big companies can’t. Maybe your prices are competitive, or your service is faster. Identify what makes you stand out. This is your bait.
Next, know where to cast your line. Many small businesses waste time chasing contracts without knowing where to look. Government contracts are a great start. Many agencies have programs designed to work with smaller suppliers. Websites like government procurement portals list available projects. Research which agencies align with your industry and start bidding.
Another good fishing spot is large corporations. Many of them outsource work to smaller businesses. Find companies that use services like yours. They often list vendor opportunities on their websites. Attending industry events, trade fairs, and networking meetups puts you in direct contact with decision-makers. These moments can open doors that a cold email never could.
Think of partnerships as a way to strengthen your net. Big contracts often require resources beyond a small company’s reach. Teaming up with other businesses can make a difference. If you’re a construction company, partnering with an architecture firm may improve your chances of winning bigger projects. If you run a marketing agency, collaborating with a tech company could bring in larger clients. Strength in numbers works in business as well as in nature.
Preparation is key. Before a fisherman heads out, he checks his gear. Before you pursue contracts, ensure your paperwork is in order. Many big contracts require certifications, licenses, and proof of financial stability. If your business lacks these documents, it may struggle to qualify. Get familiar with the paperwork early so you can respond quickly when opportunities arise.
The way you present yourself matters. When bidding for a contract, your proposal is like a lure—it needs to be attractive and convincing. A messy, unclear proposal will sink before it ever reaches a decision-maker. Keep your presentation professional. Highlight experience, show past successes, and explain why your business fits the project. Offer references. Build trust.
Patience is part of the game. Even the best fisherman waits for the right moment. Many contracts take months before a decision is made. There will be setbacks. Some deals will slip away. But persistence pays off. Keep improving your approach, learning from each bid, and refining your strategy.
Technology helps. Searching manually for contracts is exhausting. Many tools now scan available opportunities based on industry keywords. Alerts and automated bidding processes can save time. Explore online platforms that match businesses with contracts. Some databases require a subscription, but the investment may be worthwhile.
Finally, don’t forget the value of reputation. Just as a fisherman becomes known for his skills, businesses gain recognition through their work. Deliver on promises. Meet deadlines. Exceed expectations. Satisfied clients lead to referrals, and referrals lead to more contracts. One successful project often brings another.
Navigating big contracts as a small business takes strategy, patience, and effort. But the ocean is full of possibilities, and even the smallest boat can land the biggest catch. Stay focused, keep learning, and throw your net wide—you never know what opportunities might swim your way.
Northrop Grumman Scores $86M to Make Planes Missile-Proof!
When it comes to defending U.S. aircraft from heat-seeking threats, the Department of Defense isn’t messing around and neither is Northrop Grumman. This aerospace and defense giant just secured an $86.2 million contract modification to continue rolling out the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) system, which is basically the military’s high-technology.
This award builds on Northrop’s already impressive role as the go-to provider for infrared countermeasures. And to be honest if to pick a partner to strap a laser defense system onto aircraft, wouldn’t anyone call the team in Rolling Meadows who have already built half the gear orbiting Earth? So to summarize the contract:120 advanced threat warning sensors for the Navy, plus 22 more for the Air Force, because missiles don’t discriminate.62 LAIRCM processor units and 26 guardian laser transmitter assemblies.Yes, that’s real-deal laser defense tech on your average military plane. Battery kits, smart connector assemblies, control indicators, and high-capacity cards because every good defense system needs brains, brawn, and backup power.This effort touches a national map of innovation as Goleta, Longmont, Verona, Apopka, Boulder, Salt Lake City, Tipp City with work taking place in over a dozen states.
Even more impressive? This contract wasn’t competed. No! The Navy took one look at the mission and decided not yo waste time and handover the contract to Northrop. That’s the kind of no-huddle confidence that only comes when one’s track record speaks louder than any bid sheet ever could. With the period of performance stretching into January 2027, Northrop’s engineers and specialists have a few solid years to plan out over signal processing, field testing, and performance tuning to ensure these systems are airtight, on-target, and mission-ready.And while this $86 million mod is impressive on its own, it’s just one chapter in a much larger LAIRCM saga that’s already kept U.S. aircraft and their crews,safe in the sky. It’s a high-technology cat-and-mouse game, but with lasers, sensors, and advanced AI powering the mouse.
So hats off to Northrop Grumman, once again proving that if you’re flying a high-value aircraft into potential danger, it’s best to do it with a laser-guided shield strapped to the fuselage and a team that knows exactly how to make it work.
📢 Want to be featured in our next issue? [Submit Your Win Here]
🗣️ UPCOMING EVENTS
Event: The State of Government Contracting in 2025: Industry Insights from the Deltek Clarity Study;
Date: June 26, 2025, 02 pm EST
Event: Meeting the Manufacturing Challenges of the Defense Industrial Base;
Date: June 26, 2025, 12:00 pm EST
