The Peel

thepeel

Join hosts Shelley McGuire and David Blackburn as they have one on one conversations with government and industry leaders on trends, challenges, and opportunities in GovCon.

  1. 16 hr ago ·  Video

    Former State Department Acquisition Leader Matt Colantonio on How AlphaSix and Quantify Are Rethinking Federal Acquisition

    AI is moving fast. Federal acquisition isn’t always built to. So what happens when the two collide? David recently connected with Matt Colantonio, Product Manager for Quantify at AlphaSix and a former senior Federal acquisition leader who brings more than 15 years of firsthand experience navigating the very challenges agencies are now looking to technology to help solve. Matt’s perspective matters. Before joining AlphaSix, he served as a Contracting Officer and held senior acquisition and digital transformation roles, including serving as Chief of Staff for the Senior Procurement Executive within the State Department’s Global Acquisition organization. He knows Federal acquisition from the inside. The processes, the pressures, the workforce challenges, and the realities that can make meaningful transformation difficult. Now he is bringing that experience to AlphaSix, helping translate years of Federal acquisition expertise into technology built around how government acquisition actually works. That makes for a timely conversation. David and Matt dig into what Matt sees differently now that he has worked on both sides of the acquisition equation, what AlphaSix is building with its Q-Suite and AI-powered Quantify platform, and what “AI-native” acquisition could mean in practice. They take on some of the biggest questions facing Federal acquisition leaders right now. Can AI become a trusted collaborator for the acquisition workforce? How should agencies think about buying versus building? What does workforce transformation actually require? And beyond the hype, what could agentic AI realistically do inside the acquisition process? For Federal acquisition and GovCon leaders trying to understand where this is going, this is a chance to hear from someone who spent more than 15 years inside the system and is now helping build what comes next. To connect with Matt, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about AlphaSix at their website here.

    Former State Department Acquisition Leader Matt Colantonio on How AlphaSix and Quantify Are Rethinking Federal Acquisition

  2. 1 day ago ·  Video

    Stop Pitching, Start Understanding the Agency with Reggie Mitchell

    Breaking into government contracting takes more than a great capability and a desire to win federal work. It takes an understanding of how the acquisition process actually works. On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with acquisition professional Reggie Mitchell for a candid conversation about what small businesses need to know before pursuing the federal market. Reggie shares why GovCon isn’t simply a place to find contracts—it’s a process—and why understanding acquisition rules, agency needs, procurement methods, and the people involved can make the difference between spinning your wheels and building a real strategy. They explore the expectations new contractors often get wrong, the importance of targeting agencies that actually need what you sell, and why small business professionals can be valuable advocates and entry points into an agency. Reggie also breaks down the different roles of program, contracting, and small business professionals, and why companies need to understand who they’re talking to before walking into that critical meeting. From relationships and readiness to performance and consistency, this episode delivers practical advice for companies looking to compete and keep winning in GovCon. To connect with Reggie, follow him on LinkedIn here.

    Stop Pitching, Start Understanding the Agency with Reggie Mitchell

  3. 26 Aug ·  Video

    OASIS+ + DHS: ENcompass and Mild Red Break Down What’s Happening and What’s Ahead

    OrangeSlices was recently invited to support a session with the GSA OASIS+ Special Interest Group, a community bringing together industry leaders around how companies can better understand the vehicle, position for opportunities and ultimately succeed on OASIS+.   When we were invited to participate, we brought along a few people we trust when it comes to understanding OASIS+, GovCon growth and the DHS market.   Eric Nusbaum, Founder and CEO of ENcompass Consulting Group, leads a team that lives BD, capture, proposals and GovCon growth every day. Eric has spent a lot of time thinking about what happens after companies earn a spot on OASIS+ and what it actually takes to turn that position into wins.   Joining Eric is Daniel Abernathy, CGO at ENcompass, who takes part of the conversation down to the opportunity level with a look at specific DHS requirements companies should be tracking.   And Katie Helwig, President and CEO of Mild Red, is a self-professed OASIS+ nerd who spends a tremendous amount of time focused on OASIS+, federal market intelligence and helping companies translate that intelligence into better growth decisions.   The response to the original session was strong enough that Shelley McGuire and David Blackburn brought the group back together to share the conversation with a much broader audience.   Among the topics covered: how to succeed after winning a spot on OASIS+, how DHS is using the vehicle today, where activity is concentrated across DHS components and OASIS+ domains, what growth teams should be doing now, and the coming transition of expiring CIO-SP3 work. That includes nearly $3 billion in potential value across expiring DHS CIO-SP3 task orders, creating a sizable follow-on market that contractors should understand, even though not all of that work will ultimately move to OASIS+.   For those who aren't aware, ENcompass and Mild Red have also recently come together around a new OASIS+ offering, and you'll hear some of the natural synergy between the teams as they look to support the GovCon community.   If OASIS+ and DHS are part of your growth strategy, this is an opportunity to hear the conversation we were invited to bring to the OASIS+ Special Interest Group, expanded and made available to the broader GovCon community.   Listen to the podcast, and download the presentation for the supporting market data, analysis and opportunity details.   To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here. To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here. To connect with Dan, visit him on LinkedIn here. To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here. To connect with Katie, visit her on LinkedIn here. To learn more about Mild Red, visit their website here.

    OASIS+ + DHS: ENcompass and Mild Red Break Down What’s Happening and What’s Ahead

  4. 25 Aug ·  Video

    Finding Opportunity Before the Bid: CloudSpark’s Growth Story with Colton Christensen

    On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Colton Christensen, co-founder of CloudSpark, to talk about the company’s journey from startup to newly awarded NASA SEWP VI Category A prime contract holder. The win gives CloudSpark the opportunity to prime on one of the federal government’s most widely used technology acquisition vehicles and marks what Colton describes as the beginning of the company’s next chapter. Colton shares how relationships, persistence, and a willingness to do the hard work helped CloudSpark gain traction in the federal market. The conversation also explores SparkSight, the company’s market intelligence platform designed to help OEM partners identify opportunities earlier, and why CloudSpark is focused on using AI to find opportunities before they hit the bid stage. From building a business alongside his father to preparing to leverage SEWP VI and eventually expand into services, this episode offers a look at what it takes to grow a small business in GovCon while playing the long game. To connect with Colton, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about CloudSpark at their website here.

    Finding Opportunity Before the Bid: CloudSpark’s Growth Story with Colton Christensen

  5. 17 Aug

    GovDash's Latest Market Report Points to a Very Different FY2027

    David Blackburn recently connected with Brittany Winkler of GovDash to discuss the trends, data, and competitive shifts that are reshaping the federal contracting landscape. GovDash continues to advance as an autonomous AI platform purpose-built for government contractors, bringing opportunity identification, capture, proposal development, and contract management together in a single end-to-end platform. Alongside that evolution, GovDash has been expanding its investment in market intelligence, publishing research and data-driven insights that help contractors understand not just where opportunities exist, but where the market is headed. Brittany has been helping lead those efforts, and GovDash's latest report takes a deep dive into the FY2027 landscape. Together, David and Brittany explore what record defense spending actually means once the headlines fade, how contractors can identify and position for more than $200 billion in pre-RFP opportunities before the broader market catches on, and why evolving requirements like CMMC, FedRAMP 20X, and AI governance are becoming strategic differentiators that could determine who is positioned to compete for tomorrow's work. Whether you're a CEO shaping growth strategy, a chief growth officer planning your pipeline, or a capture leader looking for an edge, this conversation offers practical insights into where the market is moving and how leading organizations are using better data, stronger intelligence, and AI to stay ahead of the competition. Give it a listen. To connect with Brittany, follow her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about GovDash by visiting their webpage here.

    GovDash's Latest Market Report Points to a Very Different FY2027

  6. 11 Aug ·  Video

    Why Prevention Is Reshaping Healthcare with Brenda Blunt

    On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Brenda Blunt, Senior Director at ORAU and former CMS Division Director, for a conversation about the future of healthcare and what it will take to build healthier, more resilient communities. Drawing on her experience in both the clinical and federal sectors, Brenda explores why prevention is finally taking center stage, how nutrition and education can improve long-term health outcomes, and why "food as medicine" is becoming a critical part of the healthcare conversation. The discussion also dives into ORAU's role in strengthening the nation's healthcare workforce, preparing communities for public health challenges, and advancing research that improves resilience across the country. Brenda shares details about ORAU's new Rural Health Research Innovation Cluster, designed to bring together researchers, universities, industry, and government to address workforce shortages, access to care, emergency preparedness, and women's health in rural America. If you're interested in the future of public health, healthcare innovation, or how collaboration can drive better outcomes for communities, this episode offers valuable insights into where healthcare is headed next. To connect with Brenda, follow her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about ORAU at their website here.

    Why Prevention Is Reshaping Healthcare with Brenda Blunt

  7. 10 Aug ·  Video

    CMMC Pause: Fact vs. Fiction with Eric Nusbaum

    Is the CMMC program really on pause—or is that just one of the biggest misconceptions circulating through the defense contracting community? In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire and ENcompass Consulting Group's CEO, Eric Nusbaum, separate fact from fiction following the Department of Defense's announcement to pause Phase 2 of the CMMC rollout. Together, they break down what the pause actually means, the difference between CMMC levels and phases, and why Phase 1 requirements remain very much in effect. The conversation tackles some of the most common myths contractors are asking about, including whether CMMC has been canceled, if companies should stop implementing cybersecurity controls, whether compliance is prohibitively expensive, and how the government is responding to industry feedback. Eric also shares practical recommendations for navigating self-assessments, preparing for potential audits, and avoiding costly compliance mistakes while the future of Phase 2 is being evaluated. If you're a defense contractor or planning to enter the Defense Industrial Base, this episode provides the clarity you need to understand what's changing, what's staying the same, and what steps you should be taking right now. The CMMC Reform Task Force has an open RFI to collect more feedback: Click here to view. Make sure to respond by Aug 14! To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here. To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.

    CMMC Pause: Fact vs. Fiction with Eric Nusbaum

  8. 5 Aug ·  Video

    Rise8's Adam Furtado on Why the Future of Government Software Is Being Rewritten

    David Blackburn recently connected with Adam Furtado, Vice President of Enablement at Rise8, for a conversation about one of the biggest shifts underway in federal technology. Adam's career spans the U.S. Air Force, the Department of the Navy, Kessel Run, startup leadership, and now Rise8, where he helps organizations transform how they build and deliver software for critical missions. Rise8 has emerged as one of the federal market's leading voices on modern software delivery. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, the company is helping agencies and contractors move beyond legacy development models by combining modern engineering, product thinking, and human-centered design to continuously deliver software that improves mission outcomes. Their mission is both simple and ambitious. Create a future where fewer bad things happen because of bad software. In this episode, David and Adam explore why AI-assisted software development is generating so much attention, what many organizations misunderstand about adopting it, and how federal teams can embrace these capabilities without compromising security, quality, or mission success. They also discuss why hands-on learning, modern engineering practices, and organizational culture may be just as important as the technology itself. Whether you're a government technology leader, software engineer, program executive, digital transformation leader, or GovCon executive trying to understand where software development is headed, this conversation offers practical insight into how forward-looking organizations are preparing for the next generation of mission delivery and what that could mean for the federal market in the years ahead. Learn more about Prodacity and register to attend the event happening August 25-27 here. To connect with Adam, follow him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Rise8 at their website here.

    Rise8's Adam Furtado on Why the Future of Government Software Is Being Rewritten
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About

Join hosts Shelley McGuire and David Blackburn as they have one on one conversations with government and industry leaders on trends, challenges, and opportunities in GovCon.

Information

  • Creator
    thepeel
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Peel

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