This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Ross Wilkers, senior staff Reporter for Washington Technology. They discuss the recently released WT Top 100 contractors.Topics include:11 new companies made the list for 2026Many were heavily focused on defense and law enforcementThe outlier was first timer Lancer Information Solutions, an SDVOSB focused 100% on civilian agenciesOne woman-led company, Intuitive Research and Technology Corp came in at #81Despite the OneGov initiative, the VAR/VAD community was well represented with Carahsoft at #25, ThunderCat at #43, DLT at #87 and CDW-G at #90. Wilker's article on SBAs Small Biz scorecard. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly, president of FedSubK and a former federal acquisition professional.Topics discussed include:The current market climate, especially issues impacting small contractorsThe problems facing companies with various set-aside statusFocusing on emphasizing your core capabilities, not yout set-aside statusCompliance issues like the CMMC approaching deadlineGrowth strategies for small contractorsThe power of storytelling and social media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Kevin Plexico, executive vice president of Deltek. The interview focuses on Deltek's 17th annual Clarity study which covers a multitude of issues in the government contracting arena. Issues discussed include:The impact of AI across the GovCon community and the investments contractors are making in AIThe overall impact of DOGE, especially on small contractorsAdapting to the new procurement regulations and the flexibility for contracting officersDiversification as a growth strategyTop issues for BD professionals See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Katie Helwig, self-proclaimed OASIS+ nerd and founder/president of Mild Red LLC.The discussion focuses on the multiple changes on the proposal and bidding side of the market. Topics includeLPTA and HTRO methods of procurement, where each fits and why/when you need one of the otherUnderstanding that you need to influence before the RFQ goes outThe need for differentiated visibility, defining your area of expertise in terms that resonate with the customerOperating in an environment with 40% fewer contracting officers and why that makes visibility, being known, more important See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the first show of year 19 for Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly of FedSubK for a candid discussion about the small business environment in GovCon.Topics include:8(a) audits and the materials required by SBA, which resulted in the initial suspension of 1,000 companiesReduction of the percentage for set-asides, especially SD BsSome tactics for small contractor survivalA quick update on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Karl Feldman, managing partner of Hinge Marketing, to discuss the findings of the annual Hinge High Growth Study.Topics discussed include tactics used by high growth companies such as:Research to determine best marketing & BD tools and tacticsConferences and other live networking venuesThe role of social networking and LinkedInDeveloping SMEs and thought leadershipWhy smaller firms need to pay attention to marketing metrics See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Martin Reeves of the BCG Henderson Institute returns to Amtower Off Center to discuss his latest book. "Like: The Button That Changed the World". Topics include: The evolution of the Like buttonWhat the creation and adoption of the button reveals about technical innovationWhy the button is addictiveThe rise of the "Like" economyHow Like transformed advertising and marketingLike-facilitated influencer marketing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laura Ries, chairwoman of Reis Consulting and author of multiple business strategy books, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss her latest book: The Strategic Enemy. Topics include:Building your brand with an "enemy" in mindBranding mistakes entrepreneurs makeThe power of saying NO to maintain focusWhy brand extension does not workCreating a category where you can be first See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Evan Weisel, principal and co-founder of W2 Communications for a discussion on thought leadership in GovCon.Topics discussed include:What constitutes thought leadership for our marketThought leadership examples including white papers, case studies, data-based research and moreHow to consistently leverage thought leadershipDeveloping a thought leadership playbook for company SMEs and execs See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Kaamil Khan, president of Makpar Corporation, a small IT services firm. Topics discussed include:Khan's journey to become president of the family owned business, leveraging his law degree and a natural talent for BDMakpar's experience with my LinkedIn training and the benefits thereofKahn's experience in the ACT-IAC Voyager program and the benefits of the programHow Makpar is navigating the current GovCon environment-Kahn's use of AI in his role as president See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.