A Familiar Face Returns to Government Technology as Trump Nominates Ryan Cote as VA’s New CIO!

So this week get ready for a federal IT comeback story!  Former Department of Transportation CIO Ryan Cote is back in the spotlight and this time as President Trump’s pick to lead technology efforts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The White House formally nominated Cote this week to serve as both chief information officer and assistant secretary for information and technology, a dual-hatted position that requires Senate confirmation. And if approved, Cote would step into one of the federal government’s most complex and high-stakes IT roles  at a time when VA is juggling massive modernization efforts, tight budgets, and increasing cybersecurity demands.

Cote’s no stranger to government tech. He served as DOT’s CIO during Trump’s first term, where he was instrumental in helping the agency pivot quickly to remote operations during the COVID-19 pandemic , a heavy lift that involved securing digital access for over 70,000 employees. That kind of real-time crisis innovation won him respect across the federal IT community. But before his public service, Cote spent 30+ years in private sector IT, climbing the ranks at IBM, HP, and Gartner, among others. Add in a four-year stint in the U.S. Marines, and you’ve got a nominee who knows how to navigate pressure  and red tape.

But everything is not going to be that easy. There are challenges Ahead. If confirmed, Cote would succeed Kurt DelBene, who stepped down in January 2025 after leading a sweeping push for digital transformation across VA. One of the biggest projects Cote would inherit? The Digital GI Bill, a multi-year effort to consolidate education benefits onto a single modern platform , one that’s already behind schedule.

Lawmakers are still pushing for progress. Just last month, a bipartisan group introduced new legislation aimed at letting veterans receive electronic notifications about their GI Bill benefits,  something that sounds simple, but hinges on the success of the broader Digital GI Bill program.Then there’s cybersecurity. DelBene left Congress with a blunt warning: VA only has 360 information security officers, when it should have at least 600. Meanwhile, Trump’s proposed FY26 budget would cut VA’s IT funding by $493 million, even as the department’s overall budget grows to $441.3 billion which is a 10% boost. So yes ,big job, big expectations.

For federal contractors, tech vendors, and cybersecurity firms, Cote’s nomination is one to track closely. His private sector roots and cloud-focused approach could shape how VA modernizes and secures its systems in the coming years. And with VA continuing to spend billions annually on IT, the CIO’s priorities will ripple across the industry.For now, it’s in the Senate’s hands. But if history’s any guide, Ryan Cote may be just the kind of leader VA needs right now, one who’s comfortable moving fast, managing complexity  and making big systems actually work.

📜 COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION UPDATES

In the high-stakes world of proposal compliance, shortcuts lead to dead ends. Merely echoing the government’s Statement of Work in your proposal is a losing move. Agencies crave detailed, original strategies that highlight your unique approach.

When responding to market research, proposal compliance demands treating every RFI or SSN with precision and urgency; late or unclear submissions can shut you out of prime opportunities. Protests also rely on proposal compliance GAO rejects petty technicalities, so your arguments must be timely, fact-based, and meaty. In best-value evaluations, proposal compliance is critical: agencies can pay more for superior quality if the solicitation allows, so align your proposal tightly with their definition of value. By prioritizing substance over lazy fill-ins, proposal compliance sets you apart in the fierce federal contracting landscape. Master proposal compliance, deliver compelling proposals, and position your firm to win big in the government marketplace!

Navy’s Task Order Decision Stands Strong

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc. recently challenged the Navy’s task order award to Salient CRGT, Inc. for educational and logistical support services in Saudi Arabia. Kratos argued the Navy flubbed the procurement evaluation, overlooking their NTTT software expertise and platinum Nitaqat Mutawar status. The Navy clapped back, saying Kratos’s software didn’t fit the task order’s scope, and their platinum status added no extra procurement pizzazz. Even Kratos’s past performance gripes about Salient’s affiliates were dismissed, as the Navy justified their procurement process, citing Salient unified resources. The Government Accountability Office reviewed the procurement record and found the Navy’s judgment reasonable, with no prejudice to Kratos. The best-value tradeoff? Solid as a rock. This procurement saga proves that in the high-stakes world of federal procurement, clear criteria and solid evaluations reign supreme.

🔓 Unlock Opportunities of the Defense Sector!

The defense sector is a towering fortress, and small firms hold its secret keys. Fortress gates can intimidate. Small firms doubt their strength. They see only stone walls. Yet hidden corridors exist. The government craves new solutions. It reserves contracts for small businesses. This set-aside is your chance.

The defense sector is a towering fortress, and small firms hold its secret keys.

Fortress gates can intimidate. Small firms doubt their strength. They see only stone walls. Yet hidden corridors exist. The government craves new solutions. It reserves contracts for small businesses. This set-aside is your chance. You can win work. You can build trust. You can secure a steady income.

There are special set-aside programs. A small business can get sole-source awards under $250,000. Competitive set-asides go up to $7.5 million. These open doors that big firms can’t claim. They put you in the front of the line. You need a DUNS number and to sign up on SAM.gov. Then you can bid. Success here comes from persistence and clear proposals that speak to mission needs.

SBIR and STTR look like springboards. These grants fund early work. They cover research and prototypes. You can secure $150,000 for Phase I. Then up to $1 million for Phase II. The goal is to move a concept to reality. Agencies like DoD love these programs. They scout tech and partners in small shops.

8(a), Women-Owned and HUBZone labels add weight. They show you serve a mission. They can cut evaluation points. You join 8(a) for up to nine years. Women owners can access special bids. HUBZone firms in low-income areas get priority. These paths help you stand out. Each badge opens a door that once stood closed.

Subcontracting and teaming lower the wall. You can partner with big primes. They need help on niche work. Your small size can be your edge. You move fast. You adapt fast. You can prototype. Big firms take you on. You learn the ropes. You build a reputation. Look for prime firms on FedBizOpps. Offer to fill gaps in their bids. A pilot project can lead to deeper work.

GSA Schedules and IDIQ contracts can feel like iron birds overhead. Once you’re on schedule, buyers can buy from you directly. The vetting is done. You avoid the full bid process each time. IDIQ and BPAs work like open tabs at a store. They let agencies call on you when they need goods or services.

Success can start small. In 2018, NovaTech won a $150,000 SBIR grant. They built a secure radio. They hired three engineers. In two years, they landed a $1 million Phase II. Then they teamed with a prime on a classified project. They now have 20 staff and work across three states. They credit set-asides for the jump start.

Apex Dynamics began in a garage in 2015. They made rugged power units for drones. They registered as a veteran-owned firm. They bid on a sole source under $250,000. They won their first contract in six weeks. That work led to follow-on orders. They now supply parts for more than ten drone systems. They grew from two to 15 staff in one year.

Here is a simple path. Step one: Register in SAM.gov. Step two: claim your small biz status. Step three: research opportunities on beta.SAM.gov. Step four: Write clear, short proposals. Step five: network at industry days. Step six: look for teaming. Step seven: Track your wins. You learn as you go. You adapt your pitch each time. Consistency beats a big budget.

Beware of compliance traps. Rules can feel like hidden reefs. They can sink your efforts. Learn FAR basics. Keep good records. Track costs and hours. Invoice on time. Use simple accounting rules. Seek help when rules get tough. A small mistake can cost you big money. But a solid process keeps you afloat.

The defense sector can feel like a fortress. But it has cracks. These cracks are opportunities. Small firms can slip through. The keys are knowledge and focus. Use the programs. Tell your story. Show your value. Meet small goals. Then reach higher ones. Each win is a building block. Before long, you will stand tall. Your small boat will sail the ocean.

💰 Textron Systems Lands Massive $354M Navy Contract for Next-Gen Hovercraft!

Textron Systems, based in New Orleans, just landed a $353.9 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to build three more Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) Landing Craft Air Cushion 100-class vessels.

Now I’m thinking, “Wait, what’s a Ship to Shore Connector?” Here’s the quick version. These are high-speed hovercraft that zip across water and glide right up onto beaches, carrying tanks, supplies, and troops. No ports? No problem. These crafts are built for maximum mobility in the toughest environments.This award is a continuation of a previously awarded contract (N00024-23-C-2452), and it’s a clear sign that the Navy is putting serious trust in Textron to deliver the next generation of amphibious transport. And honestly, with everything going on in global defense planning especially in the Indo-Pacific that trust is a big deal.

Most of the work will be done at Textron’s New Orleans facility (about 66% of it), but this is a team effort across the map. We’re talking parts and support coming from California, Ohio, Maryland, and even Gloucester in the UK. Sprinkle in some contributions from Arizona, Minnesota, Connecticut, Florida, and others  and you’ve got a true nationwide (and international!) industrial team behind the build.The delivery timeline? Set through July 2031, so this contract gives Textron a solid six-year runway. And here’s a bonus: the full funding  over $353 million in fiscal 2025 shipbuilding and conversion funds  is already obligated. It’s locked in and won’t expire at the end of the fiscal year, which is great news for long-term planning and workforce stability.

But let’s not forget what this contract is really about capability. The SSCs are replacing an older fleet of LCACs, and they’re packing more speed, better reliability, and a whole lot more muscle. They’re designed to operate where traditional vessels can’t  move heavy gear from ship to shore at over 35 knots, even if there’s no friendly port in sight.For the Navy, that means faster response, more flexibility, and a bigger advantage in contested zones. For Textron? This win cements their role as a top player in the world of amphibious mobility. They’ve already delivered several SSCs under the original contract  and now, with this new task, they’re building momentum .

Expect to see continued progress as these three new crafts move into production  and keep an eye on how Textron continues to shape the future of Navy logistics and expeditionary operations.

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🗣️ UPCOMING EVENTS

Event: Joint Venture and Mentor-Protege Bidding Strategies
Date: Dec 04, 2025

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Date:  Dec 10, 2025