2023 Past SECAF Events
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Monthly Briefing: Small Business Federal Spending Outlook
Please join us as we kick off our 2023-2024 Program Year once again with the Small Business Federal Spending Outlook from Deltek’s Kevin Plexico. Kevin’s presentation is always a must-see event because he provides critical data and insights on federal spending trends as well as the budget outlook for key civilian and DOD agencies in FY25. Kevin will also discuss key upcoming GWACs and agency programs involving IT, cyber, and other industries that are important for our members. And there will be networking before and after Kevin’s presentation so you can meet and make connections with your peers in SECAF and the small business community. You don’t want to miss this event! Register now!
Speaker:
- Kevin Plexico - Senior Vice President of Information Solutions at Deltek
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Gov Con Member Networking Reception (Government Contractor Members Only)
You are invited to join us to get to know your fellow SECAF members!
Networking is an essential part of any successful career in the government contracting industry. It can help you find new opportunities and make connections that can lead to future business partnerships.
At this networking event, you will have the opportunity to learn more about what your fellow SECAF members do and whether there might be teaming opportunities. You can also find out how you can help them and vice versa. So bring your capabilities statement and enjoy the chance to chat with your peers over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres!
Nostos Restaurant
8100 Boone Blvd
Vienna VA 22182
(The entrance is on the northeast corder of the building, Leesburg and Aline. You may access the restaurant from the lobby of the building as well as the outside entrance. Plenty of surface parking all around the building.)
Sponsored By: NFP
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Webinar Series - Small Business Government Contracting Insights from the 2023 Clarity Study
The 14th annual Deltek Clarity Government Contracting Industry Study surveyed 700+ contractors to identify current contracting trends and benchmarks to help performance-minded businesses improve operational effectiveness.
The resulting study showed that, while small businesses maintain a positive outlook for future growth, they are facing some definite challenges due to today’s inflationary environment. Join Deltek for a look at key takeaways from the 2023 Clarity study that are impacting small businesses contractors in 2023, including what strategies they are deploying to tackle the challenges and opportunities that were uncovered.
Highlights of this informative industry webinar include:
- Key performance benchmarks to help see how you stack up against the competition
- A breakdown of top challenges facing small business contractors in 2023
- Examples of investments small businesses are making to improve critical functions
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Tara Cannon - Product Marketing Manager, Deltek
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Webinar Series - Gain a Competitive Edge: Harnessing the Power of a Strong Security Framework for Government Contractors
Join our exclusive webinar on the transformative benefits of a robust security framework for government contractors. Discover how a strong security foundation can propel your organization beyond mere compliance and unlock a distinct competitive advantage.
By investing in a strong security framework, you position your government contracting organization for long-term success in a fiercely competitive marketplace. Don't miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights and take your organization to new heights. Register now for our webinar and secure your competitive edge!
Speaker:
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Nathan Bailey, I.T. Operations Manager, Infotek
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Gov Con Member Networking Reception (Government Contractor Members Only)
You are invited to join us to get to know your fellow SECAF members!
Networking is an essential part of any successful career in the government contracting industry. It can help you find new opportunities and make connections that can lead to future business partnerships.
At this networking event, you will have the opportunity to learn more about what your fellow SECAF members do and whether there might be teaming opportunities. You can also find out how you can help them and vice versa. So bring your capabilities statement and enjoy the chance to chat with your peers over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres!
Nostos Restaurant
8100 Boone Blvd
Vienna VA 22182
Sponsored By: Citrin Cooperman & Cordia
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Webinar Series: Creative Talent Acquisition Strategies for Growing GovCons
We are thrilled to invite you to a game-changing webinar designed to explore the evolving landscape of government contracting and how your business can stay ahead of the curve through a strategic partnership with talent acquisition.
The event promises to be an engaging and insightful experience, as we bring together experts in the industry to share their knowledge and experiences, and how these out-of-the-box concepts can fuel your business's evolution. You’ll gain practical insights on how to attract, retain and develop top talent, as well as strategies for identifying and building effective strategic partnerships that can take your business to new heights.
So mark your calendar and join us for this exclusive event for CEOs and BD leaders of growing government contractors. We look forward to seeing you there!
Moderated by: Amy Dozier - Practice Leader, Helios HR
Speakers:
- Alicia Anzalone - Senior Recruiting Management Consultant, Helios HR
- Rob Lockard - Senior Recruiting Management Consultant, Helios HR
- Katt Silver - Senior Recruiting Management Consultant, Helios HR
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Webinar Series: Legal Strategies for Managing Your Size
The SBA regulations prescribe size limits for small business Government contracts, but also offer opportunities to savvy contractors who want to delay their graduation to large or want to retain access to small business dollars even after graduation. During this presentation contractors will learn about legal strategies for managing growth. The goal is not to stay small forever, but to deliberately plan for size graduation at the right time in a company's lifecycle, in order to maximize the chance for success post-graduation. The presenter will share strategies that have worked successfully and pitfalls contractors may face without proper preparation.
Speaker:
- Steve Ramaley - Principal Government Contracts, Miles & Stockbridge
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Webinar Series: Are You Maximizing Performance? Learn How to Optimize Business Operations
Join Cordia Partners as they combine industry expertise with technical knowledge to help you learn how to maximize your project and organizational performance. Cordia will demonstrate how the appropriate contract award process should engage key individuals for effective contract operational and lifecycle management. Learn how to manage your approach to operational activities, monitor the health and profitability of your programs, and identify and effectively manage risks and opportunities. These predictable and timely financial results allow for:
- Consistent project controls & reporting
- Resource alignment
- Strategic decision-making
- Actionable Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
Speakers:
- Todd Angioli, MBA - Director, Cordia Partners
- Lynnette Leidwinger - Director, Cordia Partners
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Monthly Briefing: What Makes Doing Business with the U.S. Department of State Unique?
Join us for an interactive discussion. The U.S. State Department Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will share their spend profile, tips on how to explore opportunities, resources that could help you, and how to register for their quarterly forecast briefings. Learn about the State Department’s mission and acquisition process to increase your chances for success. Hear about new initiatives and what some of State Department most successful small business partners do to achieve that success.
- Rich Vinnacombe, Deputy Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), U.S. Department of State
- Martina Williams, Senior Procurement Analyst OSDBU, U.S. Department of State
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Gov Con Member Networking Reception (Government Contractor Members Only)
You are invited to join us to get to know your fellow SECAF members!
Networking is an essential part of any successful career in the government contracting industry. It can help you find new opportunities and make connections that can lead to future business partnerships.
At this networking event, you will have the opportunity to learn more about what your fellow SECAF members do and whether there might be teaming opportunities. You can also find out how you can help them and vice versa. So bring your capabilities statement and enjoy the chance to chat with your peers over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres!
Nostos Restaurant
8100 Boone Blvd
Vienna VA 22182
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Webinar Series: Are You Ready to Scale Up Your Small Business?
A panel discussion moderated by Jim O’Farrell, President & CEO of AMSG, an SDVOSB that has gone from $2 million to over $20 million in revenue, and key partners who have helped make it happen! Join us for tips on how to go above and beyond a vendor-client relationship and learn to leverage partnerships to grow your business. Each speaker will share their experience in observing small businesses that have had success in scaling up.
Moderators:
- Jim O’Farrell - CEO, AMSG
- Angela Lee - Vice President, AMSG
Speakers:
- Tonio DeSorrento, GovForce
- Toby Haggerty, EagleBank
- Jimmy Hontos, Insperity
- Jacob Jaeger, Dennis Associates Group, LLC
- Patrick Whelan, NuMSP LLC
- Jon Williams, PilieroMazza
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Monthly Briefing: Federal Aviation Administration’s Next Generation Air Transportation System - Small Business Update
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is focused on providing the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world. Join us to gain insight into the all-important multibillion-dollar Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) program. This initiative will play a critical role in the modernization of the US National Airspace System (NAS) through the implementation of new technologies and capabilities that will increase the safety, efficiency, capacity, predictability, and resiliency of American Aviation.
In addition to gaining insight into this NAS modernization initiative, the FAA’s Small Business Office will provide advice and resource guidance on how the small business community can best position themselves to support FAA opportunities.
Moderator: James Washington, CEO of JJW & Associates
Speaker:
- Jeffrey Baker - Director of Acquisition Policy and Oversight, DOT, FAA
- Allen Bresley - Manager, DOT, FAA Small Business Program
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Webinar Series: Understanding Claims & Requests for Equitable Adjustment
The adage that “you can’t fight City Hall” does not apply to federal government contractors. The Contract Disputes Act (“CDA”) provides the framework governing contract disputes between contractors and the government. Knowing contract terms is vital to better position contractors before moving forward with a formal claim or attempting to negotiate with your customer via a request for equitable adjustment (“REA”). Join Lauren Brier, co-chair of PilieroMazza’s Government Contract Claims & Appeals Group, for this informative webinar that will help you better understand claims and REAs and will provide valuable insights on how to use these tools on your contracts, including:
- What is a claim vs. an REA?
- Deciding to submit a clam or REA
- Common issues to pursue in a claim or REA
- Addressing the debate about hours worked on fixed-price contracts
- Challenging adverse CPARS ratings
- And more!
Speaker:
- Lauren Brier - Attorney, PilieroMazza
February 28, 2023
All Member Networking Reception
You are invited to join us to get to know your fellow SECAF members!
Networking is an essential part of any successful career in the government contracting industry. It can help you find new opportunities and make connections that can lead to future business partnerships.
At this networking event, you will have the opportunity to learn more about what your fellow SECAF members do and whether there might be teaming opportunities. You can also find out how you can help them and vice versa. Join us to chat with your peers over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres!
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Monthly Briefing: How to Stand Out - A Guide to M&A Value Creation From the Buyer’s Perspective
- Why do some businesses sell for outsized multiples, while others never transact?
- Why do some companies receive constant acquisition overtures, while other never get a phone call?
If you have ever wondered what it takes to stand out in the eyes of a buyer, this session is for you. In this panel discussion, you will hear from experienced professionals who invest in differentiated GovCon small businesses. Between them, they have evaluated hundreds of companies, and invested in dozens of high-performing small businesses. They will share insights into what makes some businesses command a premium valuation, while others are passed by. Emphasis will be placed on how you as a business leader can use these insights to inform your strategy, regardless of whether a planned exit is in your future.
Among other topics, we will cover:
- Valuation myth busting
- Differentiation– is it in the eye of the beholder?
- How to cultivate differentiation through strategic planning
- Things to watch out for on your path
This conversation is tailored to CXOs at any growth stage, whether you are actively contemplating an exit or are merely curious about what it takes to achieve a differentiated outcome. The insights gained from this session will not be limited to just M&A, but will help your business stand out to customers, partners, and potential employees as well.
Moderator: Meghan Gifford - Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategy, OctoSpeakers:
- Gil Dussek - CEO, Gunnison Consulting Group
- Morgan Higgins – Principal, Blue Delta Capital Partners
- Erin-Michael Gill - MBA , Managing Director, Genaesis, LLC
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Webinar Series: The Straight "As" of Accounting System Reviews
Unlike some other business systems, the requirement to have an adequate accounting system is driven by type of contract and/or proposal not necessarily by contract size or business size. Cost reimbursable, incentive type, time and materials, labor hour, and of course cost accounting standards covered contracts all require a contracting officer to make a determination about the contractor's accounting system. However, there has been ambiguity around what is meant by an adequate, acceptable, and/or approved system that we will help alleviate here.
Participants will learn tips, skills, and facts to improve their compliance awareness, productivity, and efficiency. They will learn to understand the differences and meaning of adequate, acceptable, and approved when they encounter them in solicitations and awards. They will also learn about key risk areas and some best practices when setting up or selecting an accounting system to be sufficient for award.
Speakers:
- Alex Mikhelson - Senior Manager, Baker Tilly
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Webinar Series: 2022 GAUGE Report Review
The 6th annual GAUGE Report, is a go-to resource for any firm that wants to grow and prosper in GovCon. The Report is based on the GAUGE Survey which polls firms in five main areas of government contracting: Government Contract Compliance, Accounting, Utilization, Growth, and Efficiencies. This session will provide a review of the highlights of the 2022 report plus a few interesting items from this year’s theme of Workforce Issues and Solutions.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the attendees will be able to:
- Associate their firm with one of the size of NAICS code segments surveyed,
- Compare their own metrics with those of potential competitors or partners,
- Identify metrics from the survey that matter to their respective firms, and
- Benchmark their metrics using the provided tools on the GAUGE web site.
Speakers:
- Kim Koster - VP Industry Marketing, Unanet
- Rich Wilkinson - Senior Industry Director, Unanet
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Gov Con Member Networking Reception (Government Contractor Members Only)
You are invited to join us to get to know your fellow SECAF members!
Networking is an essential part of any successful career in the government contracting industry. It can help you find new opportunities and make connections that can lead to future business partnerships.
At this networking event, you will have the opportunity to learn more about what your fellow SECAF members do and whether there might be teaming opportunities. You can also find out how you can help them and vice versa. So bring your capabilities statement and enjoy the chance to chat with your peers over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres!
Nostos Restaurant
8100 Boone Blvd
Vienna VA 22182
(The entrance is on the northeast corder of the building, Leesburg and Aline. You may access the restaurant from the lobby of the building as well as the outside entrance. Plenty of surface parking all around the building.)
Sponsored By: Deltek and ATEK
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Monthly Briefing: Small Business Legislative Update from Capitol Hill
This monthly briefing will be an open forum and a fantastic opportunity to share issues that matter to you. We encourage you to register now and come on January 19th ready to share your perspectives.
We are starting the new year with a small business legislative update from three procurement and small business policy experts with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business. Vivian Ling, Irene Rivera, and DeMarcus Walker will discuss legislative priorities for the 118th Congress and the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2023.
Come with your questions! We are looking forward to a very informative and interactive briefing and encourage all of our members to register now.
Speakers:
- Vivian Ling, Senior Counsel, Senate Small Business Committee (Minority)
- Irene Rivera, Procurement Counsel at U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Small Business (Minority)
- DeMarcus Walker, Legislative Assistant, Senate Small Business Committee (Majority)