GovCon Unscripted

Chelsea Meggitt
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Welcome to GovCon Unscripted, where we dive into the unfiltered stories and strategies from all around the world of government contracting. Join host Chelsea Meggitt as she explores how to navigate, thrive, and win in this complex but rewarding industry.

  1. Contract Ceilings, RFIs, and Other GovCon Myths That Cost You Wins

    4 DAYS AGO

    Contract Ceilings, RFIs, and Other GovCon Myths That Cost You Wins

    In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Guy Timberlake, Co-Founder of The American Small Business Coalition, to talk about the myths, misunderstandings, and bad habits that keep government contractors stuck in the messy middle. Guy shares lessons from nearly four decades in federal contracting, including why most companies chase the wrong opportunities, why RFIs aren’t the starting point, and why contract ceilings don’t mean what most people think they mean. The conversation dives into Ethical Stalking for Government Contractors, the importance of real customer intelligence, and how expectations have changed between primes, subs, and agencies. This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to move from reactive bidding to intentional strategy in the federal market. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:00 Guy’s background in federal contracting 05:00 From doing to teaching GovCon strategy 07:30 Why teaming expectations changed 10:00 RFIs, competition, and market shifts 14:00 Iceberg blindness explained 17:00 Easy-button myths in GovCon 20:00 Ethical Stalking framework 23:00 Intelligence vs tools 30:00 Contract ceilings vs real value 33:00 Why context matters in GovCon data 36:00 Always be learning 37:30 How to connect with Guy Resources Go-To-Guy Timberlake's LinkedIn Profile The American Small Business Coalition Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/ AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/ 18 AI Prompts to Build Your GovCon Growth Strategy https://collaborativecompositions.com/18-ai-prompts-for-govcon-growth-strategy/

    40 min
  2. Speed vs Compliance: The Real Battle Inside Defense Acquisition

    23 MAR

    Speed vs Compliance: The Real Battle Inside Defense Acquisition

    In this Success After Service (SAS) episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Matt MacGregor, Founder and COO of Creative Defense Network, to talk about the real tension inside defense acquisition moving fast vs staying compliant. Matt shares lessons from 20+ years inside the Pentagon, working acquisition reform, policy, software pathway rollout, OTAs, and Middle Tier of Acquisition. The conversation breaks down what’s actually slowing the system down, where policy helps, where it hurts, and why leadership, not regulations may be the biggest driver of change. Topics include: Acquisition reform reality vs theory OTAs and why flexibility matters MTA and software pathway lessons learned IDIQ strategy problems Policy vs leadership in reform Where acquisition is heading next Timestamps: 01:05 Matt’s background in acquisition 03:38 Being told he was “going too fast” 04:45 MTA and reform efforts 07:12 Creativity requires fewer boundaries 08:35 How MTA is actually used 10:30 Changes to acquisition authority 15:05 Software pathway challenges 20:00 OTAs and flexible contracting 22:03 “OT should be used for pretty much everything” 24:00 IDIQ problems 28:14 Fear of doing it wrong 33:40 Future of acquisition reform Resources: Matt MacGregor's LinkedIn Profile Matt MacGregor's Email Address Creative Defense Network Defense Tech and Acquisition Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/ AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

    40 min
  3. Policy vs Execution: Why GovCon Can’t Afford Slow Acquisition Anymore

    16 MAR

    Policy vs Execution: Why GovCon Can’t Afford Slow Acquisition Anymore

    In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Dr. David Bray to discuss why modern threats are moving faster than government acquisition cycles and what that means for contractors, policy makers, and the defense industrial base. They explore the growing gap between policy and implementation, the risks of long procurement timelines, why agility matters more than ever, and how leadership, joint ventures, and new funding models may shape the future of government contracting. Timestamps: 01:00 Policy vs implementation 03:20 Governance vs government 06:30 Acquisition speed problems 08:10 Agile vs traditional systems 10:30 Lessons from Ukraine and drones 14:00 Policy changes and execution gaps 18:00 Operational accountability 21:05 Obsolescence risk in procurement 26:20 Responsible heretics and leadership 33:40 Policy changes ahead 37:30 Future of primes and joint ventures Resources: Dr. David Bray's LinkedIn Profile Stimson Center Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/ AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

    43 min
  4. From Noise to Authority: How to Cut Through in a Crowded GovCon Market

    9 MAR

    From Noise to Authority: How to Cut Through in a Crowded GovCon Market

    In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts interviews Eric Coffie, Founder of GovCon Giants, about authority-building in federal contracting, 8(a) strategy shifts, content positioning, and why proximity to DC changes everything. If you're navigating government contracting in 2025 and beyond, this episode covers: • 8(a) program strategy • Federal market contraction & opportunity • FAR changes & regulatory evolution • GovCon content marketing strategy • The power of deep focus • How to build visibility without hype This episode is designed for serious GovCon professionals ready to move from noise to authority. Timestamps: 01:00 – Eric’s mission and move to DC 05:00 – Cutting through AI noise 08:00 – Thumbnail strategy & YouTube growth 11:00 – The power of asking for help 17:00 – Focus and productivity 21:00 – Why proximity to DC matters 28:00 – FAR overhaul discussion 33:00 – Why now may be the time for 8(a) 36:00 – The shrinking contractor pool opportunity 40:00 – What’s next Resources: Eric Coffie's LinkedIn page GovCon Giants Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/ AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/ #govcon #governmentcontracting #8a #federalcontracts #smallbusiness #procurement #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth

    44 min
  5. From Special Operations to Scenario Architect: Rebuilding Defense Thinking

    2 MAR

    From Special Operations to Scenario Architect: Rebuilding Defense Thinking

    What happens when a Special Operations veteran decides the future of national defense depends on creativity? In this Success After Service (SAS) Special Episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Daniel Gomez, Founder & CEO of First Person Xperience, to explore why creativity is rewarded on the battlefield, but punished in garrison. And why that mindset gap may be costing more than we realize. From Civil Affairs and JSOU instruction to building immersive national defense simulations, Danny shares how experiential learning, controlled failure, and scenario design can reshape how the defense community prepares for future conflict. They discuss: Why we’re always preparing for yesterday’s warThe failure of imagination cited in the 9/11 reportHow immersive training changes retention and decision-makingThe AI experiment that left leaders “woefully unprepared”Why innovation gaps between adversaries matterBuilding The Lab: a national defense creativity engine Timestamps: 02:15 – Danny’s transition from Active Duty to Founder 06:40 – What “First Person Experience” actually means 11:10 – Immersion vs. virtual training 16:35 – “Creativity is rewarded on the battlefield and punished in garrison” 22:20 – Fighting yesterday’s war 27:05 – The failure of imagination problem 31:40 – The AI scenario experiment (Project Genesis) 39:10 – Trust, control, and no-win futures Resources: Daniel Gomez's LinkedIn Profile First Person Xperience Website Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/ AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

    42 min
  6. AI, Orals & Ownership: The New GovCon Playbook

    23 FEB

    AI, Orals & Ownership: The New GovCon Playbook

    In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Rebecca Link, Chief Growth Officer at OneGlobe, to unpack what is changing and what is not in modern government contracting. From proposal management to orals coaching, Rebecca shares how personality, ownership, and execution are becoming even more critical in an AI-enabled GovCon environment. This episode is a masterclass in blending technology, execution, and human ownership in today’s competitive federal landscape. Timestamps: 02:18 – How Rebecca Found GovCon 07:45 – Proposal Management vs. Orals Coaching 14:52 – Coaching Engineers & Presentation Mindset 24:20 – Are PowerPoints Dead? 34:58 – “You can’t AI an oral presentation.” 37:09 – “Orals is the only way to get at that real true level of talent.” Resources: Rebecca Link's LinkedIn page OneGlobe Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

    38 min
  7. DCAA Problems Aren’t About Fraud, They’re About Documentation

    16 FEB

    DCAA Problems Aren’t About Fraud, They’re About Documentation

    In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Jeff Shapiro, Partner at CohnReznick, to unpack what DCAA audits actually focus on and what contractors often get wrong. Jeff explains why materiality matters more than penny-level perfection, how audit risk really shows up in cost-reimbursable contracts, and why “follow the funding” is one of the most dangerous habits in government accounting. They also dig into LPTA risk, soft fraud in time charging, and why commercial companies struggle when they enter cost-based contracting. This episode is essential listening for contractors navigating DCAA audits, cost allocation, commercial-to-government transitions, and compliance culture. Timestamps: 01:12 – Jeff Shapiro’s GovCon background 05:48 – What DCAA actually does 12:06 – The 3-cent check story 14:42 – Why materiality matters 22:10 – Proposal costs vs. contract scope 32:18 – “Follow the funding” risks Resources: Jeff Shapiro's LinkedIn page CohnReznick GovCon Resources Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

    34 min
  8. Why HUBZone Was Never About Contracting and Was About Community

    9 FEB

    Why HUBZone Was Never About Contracting and Was About Community

    In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Michelle Burnett, President and Founder of Rooted in Resilience Wellness and newly appointed Vice Chair of the HUBZone Contractors National Council, for a deep conversation on what the HUBZone program was truly designed to do and where execution has gone off course. Michelle explains why HUBZone was never meant to be a compliance exercise or a goal-checking mechanism, but a community-driven economic engine rooted in geographic investment, workforce stability, and local multiplier effects. Drawing on her 15+ years inside the federal small business ecosystem, she breaks down how acquisition strategies, not small businesses, have undermined the program’s intent and what reform could look like if policymakers, agencies, and contractors realigned around mission over metrics. This episode explores economic revitalization, public-private partnerships, workforce health, and why community infrastructure must be part of acquisition strategy conversations if HUBZone is going to survive increased scrutiny. Timestamps: 03:10 – Michelle’s return to HUBZone leadership as Vice Chair 08:45 – What HUBZone was designed to fix in the U.S. economy 14:30 – The multiplier effect and why geography matters 22:05 – Where acquisition strategy diverged from program intent 31:40 – Fraud narratives vs. structural procurement issues 41:10 – Why reform matters more than preservation Resources Mentioned: Michelle Burnett's LinkedIn page HUBZone Contractors National Council Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page 🎧 Listen now on: 🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy Like and follow us: 🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/ Join our #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/ New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you: https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx 21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine: https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

    45 min
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About

Welcome to GovCon Unscripted, where we dive into the unfiltered stories and strategies from all around the world of government contracting. Join host Chelsea Meggitt as she explores how to navigate, thrive, and win in this complex but rewarding industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Chelsea Meggitt
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    GovCon Unscripted

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